Abandoned Restaurant To Receive New Life

An Amherst restaurant that closed last year is being turned into a new destination that is sure to be popular with the ladies.

Cassidy's Grille and Coffee House used to sit at 25 Route 101A before closing its doors in December. The building is now being converted to house a 768 sq ft retail jewelry store and a 1,700 sq ft salon/spa,  according to Amherst Planning Director Sarah Marchant.

The building is now owned by Colby Holdings LLC, who is subleasing the building to the two businesses. The structure is undergoing major upgrades to accommodate both, with the salon/spa occupying the main floor and basement.

Marchant said the building shouldn't look too different from the outside.

Before it was Cassidy's, the location used to house J. Beaner’s coffee shop prior to a switched in ownership almost three years ago.

Marchant said that restaurants have had a hard time at this location because of septic issues. This means that only paper plates could be used due to a state environmental mandate.

She said this would be fine for a smaller coffee shop, but the presentation may have turned off patrons. We even  here, and many agreed that this location was not the best for a restaurant.

Marchant said the owners are hoping to open for business in summer, and that they should fare better than the previous occupants.

"It is an excellent reuse of an existing building and we are looking forward to the new businesses complimenting Route 101A," said Marchant.