HUNGRY CLAM RESTAURANT

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Hungry Clam to reopen in new location

updated 12/20/02 posted 12/04/02
The Hungry Clam will be opening Friday, December 20, 2002 under a new shell. The restaurant, destroyed by fire seven months ago, is moving from an outdoor stand on East Street to the corner of First and A Streets.

"It was an opportunity to get the locals indoors, in a permanent location," said owner Stacey Brown, who estimates the restaurant will be open in a week or 10 days.

Brown and his wife Christine Gabler purchased the Shogun restaurant from Charles Thomas. "We're revamping it. It's going to be fish, chips and burgers," Brown said of the location that once housed The Lighthouse, Roberto's and other restaurants.

The Hungry Clam and four other businesses were razed in a fire May 9, 2002. The restaurant reopened at a stand on a deck along East Street. Christine also opened The Sweet Shop, a candy and ice cream shop, in an adjacent building.

The new Clam location will offer all the favorite fare featured at its original location plus milkshakes and possibly some new, lighter items. The menu will include a kids' menu, a few offerings appropriate for Vegans and possibly some homemade desserts. "We'll most likely have three or four cold sandwiches and a couple of different soups… We'll try to accommodate, satisfy everybody," Brown said.

In conjunction with the Sweet Shop, Birthday parties will be catered in a private room that will also be available for other functions.

When The Clam opens in its newest location, it will be the restaurant's first spot with a water view. "Customers can relax and watch the ferries and the ferry lines. They won't have to be so anxious, uptight (about missing a ferry)," Brown said.

"I'm really excited about the outdoor seating," he added.

Some restaurant owners would've taken an extended break after restarting from scratch in early July and working long hours through the summer, but The Hungry Clam crew couldn't rest.

"I've got to be in business. I've got to be working," Brown said.

Brown is also driven to repay the many islanders who helped him, his family and his workers after the May 9 fire. "I've got to take care of my locals, to keep my employees employed…It (others' generosity) means a lot to me. The whole island's my family," he said.

The most recent location might not be the last for The Clam. The restaurant might move back to its original location in the future. "Our intent is to go back into the new building when it's built," Brown said.

If that happens, Brown's brother-in-law and dedicated Clam worker Chris Hallock, might continue operating a restaurant in the building at First and A.

Hungry Clam back in business

posted 07/03/02
With their battered sign hanging overhead and huge grins on their faces, Stacey, Christina, Sarah and Chris served up burgers, fries and shakes yesterday (July 2, 2002). The Hungry Clam, burned up in the May 9 fire, was back in business. The restaurant, now located on A Street opposite the ferry landing, is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.

After ordering at the open air stand, customers can dine indoors at the Hungry Clam's Sweet Spot. It is located next to the Sail In Laundromat. Chocolates, candy and shakes are on sale there.

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