Tavern on Main relocates from historic building to merge with Pinewood Pub

GLOCESTER – A popular restaurant that has long operated in a centuries old building in Chepachet closed its doors this week – and then just as quickly reopened at a new location down the road.

Tavern on Main had its last day of business in the historic building at 1157 Putnam Pike on Thursday, April 16, with staff and customers bidding farewell to their home inside the sprawling structure at the village center.

And on Friday, that same staff got back to work at 15 Terry Lane, joining forces with some new co-workers.

The tavern is run by Chelsea Lumnah and her fiancé Phillip Zahlany, who took over management in 2024 following the retirement of Chelsea’s father, Chef David Lumnah. The family has leased space in the building for more than 20 years, serving up gourmet cuisine – with a side of of the other-worldly.

The structure was built in the 1700s and is famous for its role in the Dorr Rebellion. It has held apartment units, a billiard parlor, various pubs and more over the years, as well as some friendly ghosts, according to staff and management. Tavern on Main has been called the most haunted place in Rhode Island, and the restaurant leaned in to the theme, hosting numerous paranormal events over the years, from investigations dubbed “Dining with the Dead,” to the filming last year of a psychological thriller starring Jake Gyllenhaal by famed director M. Night Shyamalan.

Longtime owners Eugene and Elaine Waterman sold the property to Elias Sleiman, owner of the neighboring Sunoco Gas Station, in 2022. Sleiman bought the structure for $700,000 under the corporate name CLNJS, LLC.

Marked by exposed wood beams and original wood floors – but also by drooping ceilings and cracked walls – the 4,699-square-foot bar and restaurant was filled with historic charm, but Chelsea Lumnah says that maintenance has been too much to handle – for both her and the property owner.

“It was just a lot of upkeep,” Lumnah told NRI NOW this week. “We didn’t want to close, but we couldn’t keep up.”

“It’s already a lot of work to run a restaurant efficiently,” said Lumnah, noting the building upkeep just added to the stress. “We’ve been doing it for years… we just couldn’t anymore.”

Lumnah said she realized last week that the need to move was urgent, for the safety of everyone.

“It needed to happen fast. We didn’t want to close and have no place for our customer or staff,” she said.

Thanks to a fortuitous and uncommonly generous arrangement with another local business owner, it seems her staff never missed a day of work.

Pinewood Pub owner William Kapanakis welcomed the Tavern on Main staff to his establishment on Friday, merging two businesses into one with plans to incorporate various dishes and styles.

“I’m good friends with the owner,” said Lumnah of Kapanakis. “He’s a really, really nice guy.”

The more modern setting, with computerized ordering and relatively new equipment and fixtures, she said, perfectly compliments Tavern on Main’s well-known offerings, with somewhat more upscale food and libations. On Friday, the joined concept debuted, featuring 12 of the tavern’s dishes, along with Pinewood’s more casual menu featuring pizza and sandwiches. Zahlany now manages daily operations for the kitchen staff, while the front-of-the-house team is a mix of both restaurants’ employees.

“We’re still working on incorporating and merging our food together,” Lumnah said. “It’s a brand new building We’re kind of helping each other out.”

“We will have various specials as we continue to receive comments and suggestions,” said Kapanakis of the new menu.

Kapanakis noted that no merger or sale of either business has occurred as of yet, and the team is working to develop a plan for future ownership.

The restaurant will soon have extended hours to accommodate the added business and staffing, also featuring outdoor dining. And it will honor any gift cards purchased at the old location.

“We’re just grateful we had the opportunity, because things like that just don’t normally happen,” Lumnah said.

Lumnah said she’ll miss the restaurant’s former home, and she knows her customers will too.

“My kids grew up in that building,” she said.

“Thanks for all the memories and support over the years,” Lumnah noted in a post on social media. “We are incredibly grateful for your support and memories- you have made this place feel like home for the last 20 years. But this isn’t goodbye, it’s just a move”

For the building itself, it seems the future remains uncertain. But for those who fear they missed their chance to dine with some spirits at the previous location, Lumnah has some good news

“I think one is following me,” Lumnah said of the ghosts.

Editor’s note: The above article was edited to add comments from William Kapanakis.