By Dylan Marsh
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
CLAREMONT- A new “hardware store” is expected to open in Claremont at the start of October.
Many of the city’s residents have wondered what would fill the vacant site of a former restaurant. Even more perplexing were the signs placed in each window suggesting that due to prohibition era laws the establishment had been shut down. The answer is here: CrowBar Hardware Store.
According to the new owners, however, there may be more than meets the eye with this small hardware store located at the former site of Revolution Cantina on Opera House Square. Owners, Lui Vaine, Michelle Dionne, and Liz Gallacher have claimed that for the more “sophisticated drinker” the hardware shop may, or may not, be covering for a new speakeasy in town.
Vaine, who grew up in the Upper Valley, owns establishments across New Hampshire. When considering opening another business, he says that he wanted to come full circle and build something where he came from. Dionne and Gallacher will be coming from Sole’s B.A.R, another similar establishment in Keene themed around a shoe store, inspired by the 1995 film “Jumanji”. Dionne and Vaine are also co-owners of Sole’s along with another proprietor.
According to Vaine, the alleged restaurant will be open from Tuesdays until Saturdays. Nearly unheard of in the city of Claremont the business will also stay open until midnight each night. Themed around 1920’s prohibition era, music being played over the speakers will be era appropriate. As to the level of secrecy around the new “hardware store” Dionne says, “It’s a nice escape, you can come in and forget where you are, it’s a whole experience.”
Music won’t only be heard playing over the speakers, as the alleged restaurant has had a stage constructed on which they anticipate jazz and ragtime musicians will be playing live music every Friday and Saturday night. The owners also look forward to creating a community within hardware and restaurant industry professionals, and will be offering a discounted price on food and drinks after 10 PM for anyone that works in the field.
“It’s tough, we’ve been in the industry for years and years, and when you get out of work at 10 or 11 at night, it’s nice to go to a place to wind down. Especially when everything else is closed. Our schedule is different, it’s not the regular 9-5. We understand what the industry people in this area are going through,” Vaine said of the later hours and the lower rates. “For us to go wind down, when everything is dark and everyone is asleep it’s a difficult thing. At least the industry people around here will have a place to go and chill out when they get out of work. It will also give us the chance to get to know the other restaurant people in town and we can start to recognize faces.”
Furniture, lighting, and decor have also been carefully considered to fit the prohibition theme, including signage which Vaine’s brother discovered in the basement of the building. According to Vaine this isn’t the first time the building has been used as a hardware store. The co-owner stated that he was inspired after seeing that it was once W.P. Sweeny, a hardware store in the same location.
For more information, including for those looking to get into the “hardware” industry, please visit the CrowBar Hardware Store’s Facebook page.
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