Tisbury selectmen approve beer, wine for Beach Road; Union St. reverse

Selectmen also approved a traffic experiment to reverse flow on Union Street.

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Tisbury selectmen approved a plan to reverse the direction of Union Street in a one month experiment.

Tisbury Selectmen Tuesday unanimously approved a beer and wine license application by restaurateurs Jackson and Mary Kenworth for their newest venture, Beach Road, which is taking shape on the site of the former Saltwater restaurant in the Tisbury Marketplace.

The Kenworths also own State Road Restaurant in West Tisbury.

Although the restaurant is still under construction, the fire chief, the building inspector, and the board of health recommended the application move forward. The application is expected to take several months to be processed by the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission, which would give the Kenworths time to get the premises finished for a final inspection by the start of the season.

“We’re hoping to be open by mid-June,” Jackson Kenworth told selectmen.

Mr. Kenworth said Beach Road will include a coffee bar and a side-market bakery, in addition to a full-service restaurant. The restaurant will seat about 80.

Speaking as a friend in support of the Kenworths, well-known Island lawyer Ron Rappaport of Chilmark said, “They’re going to be a great addition to the town.”

Present to give a department report, Harbormaster Jay Wilbur also spoke in favor of Beach Road. “I’m looking forward to it. I’ll be able to get to the coffee bar from my boat,” he said.

On the recommendation of the traffic committee, selectmen approved a temporary reversal of traffic flow on one-way Union Street after Labor Day as an experiment to gauge traffic flow. The reversal would funnel traffic from Water Street and the Steamship Authority terminal to Main Street. The experiment is expected to last two weeks and if successful, may lead to a permanent change pending a hearing.

Tuesday night was Chairman Jonathan Snyder’s final meeting as a selectman.