Judie's Restaurant, arguably the top sit-down-and-stay-a-while eating establishment in the downtown and icon for most of their 37 years of operation, received unanimous approval from the Amherst Select Board for an expansion into the 650 square foot ground floor of Boltwood Place, formerly occupied by Scandihoovian's.
The function room is a separate stand alone open space attached to the rear of the restaurant with a lift allowing for handicapped access. Partner Dave Williams told the Select Board, who are the town's Liquor Commissioners, an operation that does group art will be hosting events in the new facility, which is expected to be operational in late September.
Dave Williams (left) and Attorney Kristi Bodin (right)
So is it going to be basically a function hall for Judie's? It won't have any impact on the overall daily capacity of the restaurant?
ReplyDeleteCorrect.
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see how the recent $25m renovation at UMass's Blue Wall will impact dining in downtown Amherst.
ReplyDeleteThis spot has been a revolving door since it was built. First a room to show art, then Scandihoovian's (take two). With more commercial space being added on Triangle street and the proposed new space for the Carriage shops that will have even more commercial space how are they going to get these spots filled?
ReplyDeleteMy guess is that the $25M renovation will IMPROVE downtown dining because UM increasingly is offering options that no one wants.
ReplyDeleteIt started with eliminating trays in the dining commons. Yep, you gotta shlep all your books and all our food and such without spilling anything. Welcome to UMass...
Anyone offering "comfort food" to stressed college kids ought to do quite well.
What do they expect to do with this space? It's too small, too cramped, and not designed for what terms you used. Give it six months and it will be empty again.
ReplyDeleteWhat do they expect to do with this space?
ReplyDeleteJudie's Cocktail Lounge. Just like Hilltop used to do -- sorry, you'll have to wait for your table, but you can wait in the lounge if you wish... Buy a few drinks....
What do they expect to do with this space? It's too small, too cramped, and not designed for what terms you used.
ReplyDeleteWith a liquor license they could have a Ground Round type place serving comfort food & beer to college kids -- they'd make a FORTUNE doing this. Even without the beer and only on a take-out basis, they'd still make a fortune doing this.
Grilled cheese sandwitches, Peanut butter & Jelly or "Fluffernutter" sandwiches -- they'd make good money on that alone if they made quality ones.
Like I said, six months...
ReplyDelete