Heritage Restaurant Group has finalized its acquisition of Mews Tavern, the company announced Monday, completing a deal that was first disclosed in February when the Newport-based hospitality firm went under contract for the longtime South County gathering spot.
The tavern, founded in 1947 as a small fisherman’s bar serving the local coastal workforce, will continue operating at 456 Main St., according to the company. Heritage Restaurant Group said its longtime management team and staff will remain in place under the new ownership.
General Manager George McAuliffe said he will stay on with the new owners.
“It was incredibly important that Mews’ next chapter be guided by a group that respects what it has meant to this community,” McAuliffe said in a statement. “This place has always been more than a business, it’s a home for our staff, our regulars, and our neighbors.”
Over nearly eight decades, Mews has grown from a working waterfront bar into a multi-room destination known for three bars, 69 beers on tap and a scratch kitchen, as previously reported by What’sUpNewp. Heritage said future plans include continued investment in the tavern’s smoked meats, pizza program, beer selection and buffet.
Matt Lyons, a spokesperson for Heritage Restaurant Group, said the company intends to preserve the tavern’s identity while supporting its next phase.
“Few restaurants hold the kind of place in a community that Mews Tavern does,” Lyons said. “We’re honored to carry that legacy forward, investing thoughtfully, supporting the team and ensuring Mews continues to thrive as a gathering place for generations to come.”
Heritage said it also plans to continue Mews’ community involvement, including the annual Gear ‘N’ Beer Road Race and other local charitable initiatives.
Founded in Newport in 2021, Heritage Restaurant Group describes its mission as preserving established restaurants and inns rather than reinventing them. The company says it now operates 26 restaurants and two inns across New England and beyond. Its portfolio includes La Forge Casino Restaurant, Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant, Red Parrot, The Reef, Caleb & Broad, Flo’s Clam Shack, Olneyville New York System, Scales & Shells, Providence Coal Fired Pizza, Union Station Brewery and Jo’s American Bistro, which it acquired earlier this year.
Terms of the Mews Tavern transaction were not disclosed.
More information is available at heritagehospitality.co.
