After a devastating fire last month forced the closure of the Matunuck Oyster Bar, state lawmakers are pushing to update a pandemic-era law to help the South Kingstown restaurant temporarily reopen outdoors.
Companion bills introduced late last week by Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee and Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski, both South Kingstown Democrats, would amend the state’s outdoor dining law to allow the restaurant to run a mobile kitchen in a parking lot across the street through the end of June 2027.
“This legislation is the least we could do to help weather the difficulties resulting from the fire, including keeping some of the restaurant’s workers employed during the busy summer season,” McEntee said in a statement.
McEntee was the lead sponsor of the “Take It Outside” initiative that allowed food service establishments to operate outdoors during the pandemic. But House spokesperson Larry Berman said Monday the law never accounted for situations like the May 20 fire that permanently shut down the Matunuck Oyster Bar.
Berman said the idea to update the law was brought to the attention of House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi by the restaurant’s owner, Perry Raso. Raso did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
The legislation would allow restaurants closed due to flood, fire, or other “casualty” to offer temporary outdoor dining for up to 18 months. Affected restaurants could serve alcohol outside if they already have a liquor license from their respective municipality.
Temporary restaurants would still need final approval from the local government but wouldn’t need additional exemptions from local ordinances or codes, according to the bill. The agenda for South Kingstown’s Town Council Monday evening meeting notes that town officials were asked to support the legislation by Raso’s attorney, Beth Noonan.
Noonan did not immediately respond to the request for comment, nor did Town Manager James Manni or Council President Rory McEntee, who is the son of Rep. McEntee.
At the time of the fire, the Matunuck Oyster Bar employed about 300 workers. About 50 positions could be reinstated if the restaurant was allowed to reopen for al fresco dining, according to a news release issued Friday from the General Assembly.
“As this cherished establishment works to rebuild, it’s important we do everything we can to support that process and the many people who rely on the restaurant for their livelihood,” Sosnowski said in a statement.
State leaders aren’t the only ones trying to help out the Matunuck Oyster Bar. Providence officials are looking at the possibility for Raso to potentially operate out of Waterplace Park.
City spokesperson Josh Estrella confirmed that officials are in preliminary conversations with “multiple vendors” for the events space located along the Woonasquatucket River, but declined to give additional details. The plans were first reported Monday by the Boston Globe.
“We are focused on making this space an asset to Providence,” Estrella said in an emailed statement Monday.
McEntee’s bill is scheduled for an initial hearing before the House Committee on Small Businesses Tuesday. Sosnowski’s legislation will be heard by the Senate Committee on Housing and Municipal Government that same day.
Shekarchi and Senate President Valarie Lawson both expressed strong support for the legislation.
“@MatunuckOyster is an iconic restaurant that’s beloved by Rhode Islanders & many visitors who come here just to enjoy MOB’s award-winning pond-to-plate cuisine,” Shekarchi posted on X Friday evening.
Lawson called the bills “important.”
“While the news of the fire was truly devastating, the way Rhode Islanders have responded to support Perry and his employees has been extraordinary,” Lawson said. “Along with our partners at the State House and in South Kingstown, we will continue working to support everyone impacted as the restaurant rebuilds.”
Gov. Dan McKee also backs the legislation.
“Our administration is committed to supporting Matunuck Oyster Bar—from rapidly assisting impacted workers through the Department of Labor & Training to working closely with ownership on licensing for this temporary setup through the Department of Health,” Olivia DaRocha, a spokesperson for McKee’s office, said in an email. “We stand ready to offer our continued assistance.”
The Rhode Island Office of the State Fire Marshal investigation into what caused the fire remains underway, Matt Touchette, a spokesperson for the office said. Investigators have said it was likely accidental and ruled out commercial cooking equipment as the direct cause of the blaze.
This story was originally published by the Rhode Island Current.
