Marc Hanover, the longtime owner of Linda Jean’s, has reached a deal to lease the popular Oak Bluffs restaurant to Winston and Lisa Christie, owners of Winston’s Kitchen.
Hanover told The Times he’ll be retiring from the business he established 47 years ago on Circuit Avenue.
“I’m excited,” Hanover said. “I wanted to sell, but I wasn’t comfortable with some of the offers I got. I didn’t feel like people would run it the way it was run. [The Christies] came in. Their price point is similar to ours. They’re excited, and so am I.”
Hanover said the Christies are leasing the restaurant with an option to buy. They’ve agreed to keep on the restaurant’s staff — some of whom have worked at the restaurant for more than 30 years. The Christies have a great reputation among those in the Island’s restaurant industry, Hanover said.
Lisa Christie could not be reached for comment, but on a social media post she wrote that the “rumors are true” about Linda Jean’s. She wrote that they intend to take over on Jan. 1: “It will still be called Linda Jean’s, with the same wonderful staff and menu. We plan on keeping Linda Jean’s open year-round, and bringing dinner back.”
The new venture will not affect Winston’s Kitchen, which will continue to operate from its waterfront location year-round.
“We love our customers, and we love this Island,” the post states. “We are so excited about this new venture.”
As for Hanover, he said he plans to remain on the Vineyard, and spend time ferrying his three grandchildren around the Island. “Oh, I’ll be there,” he said of Linda Jean’s. “I’ll be there eating.”
What a win for Oak Bluffs to have Lisa and Winston Christie running two restaurants. Winston’s is already a treasure and now the venerable Linda Jean’s baton is being passed to two of the nicest, most hard working people in the local food business. Bravo Mr. Hanover!
Great news.
Deep thanks to the Hanovers for many decades of wonderful Linda Jean’s and for waiting until the right folks came along who will carry on the Linda Jean’s tradition, crew and menu.
All the best to the Christies.
Martha Magee
ps To the author of this article:
You’ve got a typo ( Freudian slip?) in paragraph 6:
“Lisa Jean’s”.
Lol. Thanks. To the Christies, if you decide to make that change I will not charge royalties.
It’ll be nice to see them open year round and serving supper again, but what really be great would be if they want back to opening at 6am.
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