Brick Alley Pub is being sold to The Heritage Restaurant Group

Ralph and Pat Plumb, owners of the Brick Alley Pub, announced today that they’ve agreed to sell the Brick Alley Pub to The Heritage Restaurant Group, formerly 1899 Ventures, a Newport, Rhode Island-based restaurant group.

The Brick Alley Pub has been a Newport landmark for over 40 years and has been voted both “Best Restaurant” and “Best Bar” in Rhode Island. It is a family establishment, both in its approach to its customers and multigenerational management team, and it is currently led by Matt Plumb, son of Ralph and Pat.   

The Heritage Restaurant Group, which is owned by Nicholas Schorsch, who also owns the Audrain Hospitality Group, intends to keep all front—and back-of-house staff onboard and retain all senior management, including Matt Plumb, who has been there for over twenty years, and General Manager Kim Dwyer.

“Over the last 43.5 years, our time as business owners here in Newport has been one of our greatest joys. We have had the pleasure of serving and getting to know so many incredible customers, many of whom have become lifelong friends. The same can be said of our amazing team over the years,” Ralph and Pat Plumb, founders of Brick Alley, shared with What’sUpNewp.

“We have laughed, cried, and shared wins and losses alongside our team that has become more like family. When we started Brick Alley, our goal was to build a restaurant that could be a place for everyone to enjoy. Retiring is never an easy or simple decision, however we feel incredibly fortunate that the next owners of Brick Alley are keeping the entire team in place, including our son Matt, who has been a member of the Brick Alley team for over 20 years. We are proud that Brick Alley now has the ability to serve the Newport community for another 40+ years”, the Plumbs shared.

While the change in ownership is expected to take several months to process, the Plumbs say Matt Plumb, the existing management team, and all of your long-time favorite Brick Alley Pub staff will continue to run the restaurant’s day-to-day operations before, during, and after the Transaction.

Michael Anderson, spokesman for The Heritage Restaurant Group, shared the following comments in a statement;

“Brick Alley is a cherished spot for locals and a must-see for visitors, thanks to its prime location and reputation as a community landmark. The Plumb family and the staff’s commitment is clear in every aspect of the restaurant, from the high standards for service, the rave reviews online, the decor reflecting decades of Newport history, and the word-of-mouth acclaim it receives

Our strategy is straightforward: don’t fix what isn’t broken. Instead, provide the resources to enable Brick Alley Pub to achieve new levels of customer service and staff support. Our investment is aimed at adding value where it’s needed without changing the core of what makes the Brick Alley a beloved landmark. This includes supporting the restaurant’s successful operations and exploring expansion opportunities, such as adding a refreshed back patio and increasing marketing efforts. Our goal is to improve efficiency and ensure every team member feels appreciated and productive. 

Together, we look forward to finding and leveraging the amazing opportunities ahead of us”.

Further details on the transaction were not disclosed.