NORTH SMITHFIELD – Picture all of the nostalgia that locals have come to expect from the restaurant, with the added bonus of acres of scenic grounds, outdoor dining, heated floors and homemade ice cream.
The owners of Beef Barn Restaurant are making progress toward opening the new location on Industrial Drive, with tentative plans to make the official move from their current digs on Greenville Road this spring.
And they say the restaurant will have all of the unique features that made the original business a fun place to dine, brought to customers in a more spacious setting, with grounds to enjoy.
The business will relocate to the former Homestead Gardens property in the upcoming months, a 5.9 acre site with walking paths and a pond. Owner Marc Branchaud built a barn replicating the structure from the original restaurant only larger, on a property he purchased just two miles away.
There, he’s installed radiant floors, and plans submitted to the town show a roughly 30 X 30 outdoor patio, and space for 66 vehicles, plus employee parking in back. Accessory buildings shown on a preliminary site plan include a garage, and a shed with a canopy. A new, larger counter space will feature stools on both sides.
According to recent information published by the business, the new location will offer homemade ice cream along with the usual casual fare, including roast beef, hamburgers, fries, pastrami and more.
The atmosphere will also remain the same, from the well-known chicken coops to the silo, which will be moved to the new location.
“We have the nostalgia of our original building in mind while working on the new place,” the restauranteur noted.
Opened 1969, Beef Barn was established by Marc Branchaud’s father, the late Normand Branchaud. Normand was a well-known local entrepreneur who ran multiple businesses in and around town, including The Village Haven, and also founded Coffee & Cream. He died last year at the age of 82.
His son Marc has helped to operate the family business since he graduated college, located in a busy intersection at the Woonsocket border, on land leased from the Valliere family, as well as a second location in Bellingham.
The new location, which was originally expected to open in late summer of 2020 at 200 Industrial Drive, is now on track to open this spring.
“If it wasn’t for COVID set backs we would be open for business already,” business officials noted on social media.
And for those with fond memories of Homestead Gardens, where manicured grounds held a gift shop and hosted events such as weddings, there’s more good news: Branchaud’s team has been working to restore the grounds.
“The pond and surrounding areas look great, and we are so excited to welcome our customers,” the business noted. “The grounds will be ready for great outdoor dining and pond walks.”
Customers are advised to follow the restaurant’s Facebook page for updates on the progress and expected opening.
