Marra Family Plans To Reopen Post Office Café
Michael Marra says renovations are taking place and it could open in early 2012.
Michael Marra appeared before the Town Council Monday night to persuade the panel to renew liquor and victualing licenses for both the Grille on Main and the closed Post Office Café. Marra - brother of Steve Marra - said that the Post Office Café, which as been closed since January, was being renovated and the plan was to reopen it in early 2012.
The Council voted 5-0 to renew both licenses.
The Post Office Café closed one month after the Marra Restaurant Group went into receivership. At the time, a spokesman for the receiver said the restaurant would reopen in April.
That didn’t happen. Then, in August, Steve Marra – head of the Marra Restaurant Group – died.
Receivership details are still being worked through and there is now the added complication of probate regarding Steve Marra’s estate. Marra left his assets to his parents, Michael and Edith Marra. It was the two Michaels – father and son – who bought the Marra Restaurant Group earlier this year when the receiver put it up for sale. Steve Marra stayed on to manage the restaurants until his death on Aug. 31.
“The Grille is going to stay as is,” said Michael Marra. “The family will continue to operate it and keep it as it is.”
He said the other restaurants – six total –will also remain as is for now.
“The Post Office Café will open probably in the first quarter of 2012. We’re renovating the inside with a minority partner,” Marra said. “I don’t think they’ve actually settled on a name yet. But it won’t be in competition with the Grille,” he said. “Maybe gourmet burgers and things like that - light fare. There won’t be full entrees or meals like the grille has. And there’ll probably be some entertainment there too.”
Kristin Wheeler
8:19 am on Tuesday, November 29, 2011
It might be cool to see it as a 50's style cafe with gourmet burgers and gourmet milkshakes. Kind of like the old post office restaurant in the American History museum in DC. Especially since Jiggers is no longer open.
Timmy
8:54 am on Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Perfect spot for a brewery/brewpub.
Eric Carpenter
6:44 pm on Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Now we're talkin'. Even better, one that serves barbecue. Anything...ANYTHING...but another Italian restaurant.
Julie
2:50 pm on Saturday, September 8, 2012
Great idea!!
Peter
11:13 am on Tuesday, November 29, 2011
How about a Family stye restaurant with fresh Seafood and American dishes we all enjoy ...Keep the menu simple and Fresh ..Bring in Family's around a table .We know where to go for adult fine dining ..and we have great pizza and burger places sort of like Carmine's that serves family style. Generous portions are made for sharing and can feed 4-6 people.Carmines is in NYC .. try it
steve cinquegrana
2:18 pm on Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Great news! I always thought a comedy nightclub would work well at that location.....Just a thought.
Mutato
4:54 pm on Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Since it's loud and brash with a touch of vintage cool, it should NOT be some expensive style restaurant they used to try to be. It needs to be down-to-earth.
KK
5:43 pm on Thursday, December 1, 2011
I agree, anything but Italian. RI and EG have enough of those. Can't believe so many people voted for Italian. RI needs something new.
Arthur Mark
4:08 pm on Sunday, December 11, 2011
You have the opportunity to create a new and original place. Is there a Spanish/
Portuguese gourmet restaurant in the East greenwich area? Another hamburger
joint? I hope the Marra family will continue their gluten-free menu.
Sign: AM (Please do not use name)
Me
10:14 pm on Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Another Italian Restaurant? You're kidding me - right?
I've lived all over and I've never lived in a place as small minded and Provincial as Rhode Island.
Even Idaho is more cosmopolitan than Rhode Island ever could be!
Julie
2:48 pm on Saturday, September 8, 2012
So go to Idaho then. Rhode Islanders like it here. And we have some of the best restaurants on the East coast right here in little Rhody.
Me
6:28 pm on Sunday, February 10, 2013
Wow, took that long to get a response. Pretty sad when East Greenwich can't even support two Indian Restaurants, let alone one...... Rhode Island does have some of the best Italian Restaurants on the East Coast (along with Baltimore, Philly, DC etc) but that's it- nothing else. Again small mindedness strikes again