Lindsey’s owner planning sale to Towne Tavern restaurateur

A deal is currently pending to sell Lindsey’s Family Restaurant, the East Wareham seafood institution which closed in November 2022 after 74 years of service, to restaurateur David Barry of Towne Tavern and Tap.

Towne Tavern and Tap has locations in Attleboro and Pembroke, which sell American and Asian fare with an emphasis on seafood and New England cuisine. 

Barry, who lives with his family in Halifax, described the planned restaurant as “an American classic gastropub” serving comfort food with “nice, fresh seafood flair.” 

Lindsey’s Family Restaurant owner Cheri Lindsey said that she received several offers from restaurateurs willing to purchase the property, but did not want to see it become an outpost for a large chain. 

“I had such a fond feeling for that place,” Lindsey said about her restaurant’s 3138 Cranberry Highway location. “I worked hard there for many, many years.” 

Back in November, Lindsey blamed the restaurant’s closure on a lack of adequate staffing.

She said that she chose Towne Tavern to purchase her restaurant because Barry works hard and cares about his staff. 

“I liked the space and I liked the build-out of it,” Barry said of the location. 

Barry sees “a lot of money being spent” in the area, with the ongoing construction work on Cranberry Highway. 

“It’s a new, up-and-coming area,” he said. 

Barry, who declined to disclose the amount that he purchased the building for, plans to open the new Towne Tavern and Tap location this fall. 

“We’re hoping to have a closure on the deal within the next month and a half,” he said.

Barry said that previous Towne Tavern and Tap locations have replaced restaurants that also were well-loved staples in their communities In order to fill the void left by such establishments, he wants to get involved with Wareham’s schools, charities, police department, fire department and youth sports teams, like he has done in Attleboro and Pembroke.

“We really invest in our communities,” he said.