Updated Feb. 26
The beloved Linda Jean’s restaurant in Oak Bluffs is coming under new ownership and will lose its name.
Marc Hanover, who established the iconic eatery almost 50 years ago, sealed a deal in early February to lease 25 Circuit Avenue for five years to Mike Santoro, president of the Santoro Hospitality Group, with an option to buy the property.
“He’s an excellent operator, and I have complete confidence he will succeed there,” Hanover told the Times.
Santoro — who owns several Island establishments — will be changing the name of the restaurant to “Michael’s,” saying he wanted a name that was easy to associate with his brand and didn’t want to disappoint any long-time Linda Jean’s patrons from false expectations.
“I don’t think I deserve to carry that name on,” Santoro said. “Marc and his former partners created Linda Jean’s and … I think he should take that name with them.”
And, the “generic sounding name” was chosen because of the thematically different menu items planned.
Santoro, who used to be general manager of the closed Seasons Restaurant and Pub and the Atlantic Connection nightclub, both now-closed Circuit Avenue institutions, will be operating a year-round restaurant with two forms: a breakfast, brunch, and lunch eatery during the daytime and a seafood restaurant at night.
Santoro said he’ll be providing healthier options breakfast items to the table, like avocado toast, whole-grain bread, and “power bowls” with a quinoa base. Classic breakfast items, like egg dishes, will still be available.
Santoro said he’s a “breakfast guy,” but the breakfast portion of the business also rounds out his portfolio of restaurants. Santoro also owns several restaurants on the Island, including the Lookout Tavern in Oak Bluffs and the Net Result in Vineyard Haven. He said economic factors have pushed more people to get together during the daytime because of cheaper menu items compared to the evening.
“Breakfast is getting to be the new dinner,” Santoro said.
As for the nighttime options, Santoro said an eclectic spread of menu items will be available: fish and chips, fried clams, Hawaiian poke bowls, ceviche, and seafood with “Asian-inspried preparation”
Santoro said renovations will be made to the restaurant and he doesn’t expect it to be open until mid-April. Six apartments above the restaurant will also be used to house his employees.
Under Hanover’s ownership, Linda Jean’s would operate year-round but eventually took a seasonal schedule. Hanover had leased Linda Jean’s in 2022 to Winston and Lisa Christie, owners of the popular Oak Bluffs takeout restaurant Winston’s Kitchen, with an option to buy the property.
However, Hanover said the Christies notified him they were no longer interested in renewing their lease this year in early January.
A difference between the two agreements is that the Christies were required to keep on Linda Jean’s staff, some of whom worked at the restaurant for decades. Santoro’s agreement does not have this provision, giving him more freedom in how to staff his new business venture.
While some of the Linda Jean’s employees, like front of the house workers, have undergone interviews, Santoro said he has his own kitchen staff.
Santoro told the Times he plans to continue his brand of “good, quality food and service” at the new restaurant.
The Oak Bluffs select board review of the “Michael’s” business license scheduled for Tuesday was pushed to March 11, which is also when Santoro’s application for a year-round liquor license will be considered.
Updated with the new date of when the Oak Bluffs select board will review the Michael’s licenses.
This is the worst news I’ve heard this year, and that’s saying a lot.
What’s happening with the gift cards that was available for purchase as Linda Jeans?
Hope he brings some Ocean View menu items along.
This is the worst thing ever. Clearly the new owners are not interested in what is important to the loyal Linda Jean patrons and community. Breakfast is important and this was a gathering place we enjoyed with incredible food and value. Feels like he just took the “soul” out of the food. Keep your avocado toast and grain bowls. I want my biscuits, gravy, those wonderful omelettes and yes those pancakes!!!Congratulations on ruining another beloved Circuit Ave experience. And why were the Christies so restricted and Santoro was not? Hmmm oh well, wish him well, but sad news.
Mike said he’d offer healthy “options” for breakfast, not that omelettes or biscuits and gravy (what we jokingly called “Scum on a Bun” in college, nor pancakes, for goodness sake. 50 years is a long time and best of luck to Mr. Santoro. And what are you implying with your claim that the Christies were somehow “restricted” but Mr. Santoro was not? Expand.
The new owners are intersted in making a good profit.
Congratulations, Mike. I wish you all the best in this endeavor. I like the choice of name; it continues a tradition of using personal names. In my life, “Gerry’s” (after Geraldine de Bettencourt), became “Linda Jean’s”,
and now “Michael’s.” Thanks, especially, for committing to year-round operation.
Truly the end of an era. Not seeing Linda Jeans on Circuit is like not having the Reliable. But i get it. Nothing lasts forever. I like Santoros point of view on the Linda Jeans brand and im happy to see hes the one charting a course for something new
I wish I lived in a world where the worst news ever was when a good restaurant sells to a buyer. Best of luck to the new owners.
Worst news you’ve heard all year? Wow. God forbid the previous owner wants to retire.
He created a business that lasted 50 years and is turning over the keys, the new owner can do whatever he pleases. We should be celebrating that.
Congratulations to both the previous and new owners. I hope they’re both successful in their retirement and business.
With everything that is going on in this country and the world, this is not the worst news. I will miss Linda Jeans but welcome Michaels and give it a chance…just like i hope others will. We will adjust. I miss Oceanview but am thankful for other options. If they want to make a profit, customer demand will factor into their success or failure. We have lost so many restaurants and businesses over time, at least Linda Jeans is being replaced with a sorely needed year round establishment. Thank you Linda Jeans for all the decades of memories and good food. You will truly be missed.
Congratulations! I am looking forward to Quinoa and avocado toast!
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