GREENFIELD — After serving Franklin County residents for more than 16 years, Main Street Bar & Grille co-owners Christina Guevin-Gurney and Tom Gurney have sold the 94 Main St. business to longtime bar owner and first-time restaurateur Ivan Tristan.
Guevin-Gurney, who started the business as a small pub with billiards in 2008, said Main Street Bar & Grille grew significantly over 16 years, adding appetizers, burgers and fried food. She said the establishment underwent a major renovation in 2019, when its business model changed to being a pub-style, family-friendly restaurant with live music from local artists.
“It was at a point where, you know, we were ready to make a transition in our life and go down a new path,” Guevin-Gurney said. “We’ve had several people interested in the business in the past few years, but it just wasn’t the right fit. So it was important to us, with all of the work that we have put in, to make it a positive influence on the city and we wanted to ensure that it was going to be in the right hands. Ivan seemed to bring the right energy and the right vision that aligns with ours.”
Tristan, who purchased the business for $175,000, used to own the Easy Street Nightclub on Fiske Avenue prior to its closure in 2011. In an interview Friday, Tristan said he intends to operate Main Street Bar & Grille with the same menu, service and hours of operations used by the restaurant’s original owners.
The new owner added that he has worked in the food and beverage service industry for roughly three decades and, as a Greenfield local, was interested in owning a piece of the city’s main commercial strip.
“I’ve worked in the restaurant business forever, so I’ve done all the different aspects of a restaurant individually, but I’ve never owned an actual restaurant. So this is sort of a 30-year build-up and it just happened that all the pieces happened to fall in place,” Tristan said. “We’re not changing it, it’s going to be the same — I just want to continue it, do a good service and make it better, if I can.”
The Board of License Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the business’ entertainment and establishment licenses on Tuesday.
Guevin-Gurney said the business will officially close on July 20 and reopen under Tristan’s ownership on July 23. She reminded Main Street Bar & Grille customers who have gift cards to the restaurant that they should use them before the change of ownership. From 11:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Sunday, Guevin and Guevin-Gurney will host a farewell celebration, featuring live entertainment from pianist Ryan Hood and raffles for memorabilia every hour.
“I really want to emphasize how much we really appreciate the community and all of the support from the city. … Everyone has been very helpful in making our business a success, and we just want to show our appreciation to the community and our customers for helping us make our dreams come true,” Guevin-Gurney said, mentioning how the Department of Public Works brings out the barriers every year that allow Main Street Bar & Grille to offer outdoor dining. “I’d love for people to come in, say their goodbyes and give us a chance to say our goodbyes to the community that supported us.”
Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com or 413-930-4429.
