Kutters closes; Riverfront much quieter these days

Kutters closes; Riverfront much quieter these days

2 months, 1 week ago by Bob Gough

Three restaurants have closed over the last few weeks, but HQBD director is confident new establishments will come in

The grand plan for Quincy’s Riverfront to be an entertainment destination appears to have hit a snag, but the head of the Historic Quincy Business District believes it is only a temporary setback.

Kutter’s Bar and Grill is the latest riverfront establishment to close as the company relinquished its liquor license last week. Neither the latest owner of the business, Bob Parsons, nor the former owner, Paul Holtschlag, could be reached for comment.

This is on the heels of Johnny Bang Bang’s and Jorge the Crooks also closing within the last few weeks. All three establishments are within the same city block of each other.

“Obviously this is an area that has warranted a lot of attention in recent weeks,” said Travis Brown, executive director of the Historic Quincy Business Distirct. “While we are never happy to see a business close, we have high hopes for the Riverfront area. I do believe that by this summer that area of the Riverfront will once again be a vibrant area.”

Johnny’s appears to be in transition as a national franchise is poised to take over the refurbished waterfront building that first housed the Backwaters nightclub.

And the new owner of the building that housed Jorge the Crooks says he plans to bring in a new upscale restaurant.

“Since Jorge's was such a visually appealing place in a beautiful old building I think it should continue on in some manner and my wife and I are working to open a redesigned restaurant in that space in the near future,” said Michael Bayles, who purchased the building last year. “While lots of decisions have yet to be made, we believe an upscale steakhouse and bar that serves good food and beverages and is dedicated to excellent service could be successful.”

Brown said renovations are already underway in the former Jorge’s and he expects something to happen with Kutters soon.

“There are also conversations about the Kutters property and potential business opportunities in that location,” Brown said. “I have every confidence that this area of the downtown will be a vibrant and thriving area of the downtown once again in the very near future.”

The Pier restaurant and The Dock bar remain open and, coupled with the return of new businesses in the spots of the three recently shuttered facilities, could turn the riverfront into the entertainment destination that has been envisioned for decades.