SOMERSET — Exciting plans are in the works at the Somerset waterfront, which might come as bittersweet news for local foodies.
Magoni's Ferry Landing was put up for sale four months ago after owner Jeff Magoni announced plans to retire. But fans of the beloved Italian family restaurant need not be too heartbroken as it appears another well-known restaurant family will soon be taking the reins at the iconic 681 Riverside Ave. site.
The Gormans, who own and operate Tiverton's Sakonnet River Grille and Four Corners Grille as well as Palmer River Grille in Warren, are in the process of purchasing the property, which is currently under agreement.
Dave Gorman, in partnership with brother Jeff and parents Christine and Jim, said if all goes according to plan they aim to extend their brand and carry on the Somerset spot's longtime family restaurant legacy.
"We certainly plan to keep it a restaurant," Gorman said. "We would do some new, exciting stuff to the building and bring our family's menu and flavor into it."
So could we be seeing a Taunton River Grille in the near future?
While the name has a nice ring to it and seems a clear contender, Gorman said it's not likely. But he assured they would "definitely like it to be something that honors the neighborhood" and is a bit more "Somerset centric," so as not to be confused with the city of Taunton about 10 miles north.
It'll be in line with their other locations, working “Grille” into the name, and similar — as far as size and building makeup — to what patrons see at their Warren location.
On the market: Somerset's iconic Magoni's restaurant is for sale. What the owner has to say.
The property, which sits on 1.54 acres in the Slades Ferry Economic Opportunity District with a view of the Taunton River, was listed at $1.25 million by Salt Marsh Realty Group.
Gorman anticipates the sale will be final and a changing of hands will take place in late fall.
The longtime restaurant owner declined to go into too much detail, as there are "still boxes that need to be checked and T's that need to be crossed" before things become official, but said "we very much anticipate it happening."
If it does, Gorman said their plans include renovations and updates to the building.
The Gorman family has owned a few area eateries over the years, going back to the Roast House in the Swansea Mall in the 1980s.
So why add Somerset to their growing restaurant footprint?
For the Gormans, who grew up in nearby Swansea and were familiar with the long-standing town fixture founded by Mary Magoni in 1951, the Somerset opportunity seemed like the right place and the right time.