Bess Eaton Is Back

A dear South County friend is returning soon. Bess Eaton will be opening in the former Tim Horton's location at Dale Carlia Corner sometime this week, as the sign change suggested late last week.

The actual date has not been set yet according to owner and manager Mary Haverly, who said there are a few last minute preparations to be executed. But the buzz is out, and locals are excited for the return. She added that not only will breakfast fare be back, but Coldstone Creamery Ice Cream will also be available.

Canadian firm Tim Horton's bought out the Bess Eaton chain in 2004 and opened their own chain stores in many of their former locations. , citing underperformance and too much competition. Haverly owned three Tim Horton's franchises, including the one on Kingstown Rd. in Wakefield. The closings left a total of 42 employees out of work. Haverly immediately told Tim Horton's corporation that she would like to take over the lease on the Dale Carlia property and continue to run a similar business.

Haverly and her husband said that although Tim Horton's shut the stores down suddenly, the company was gracious and cordial and made sure that the family did not suffer financially. The company even offered to relocate them to Syracuse, N.Y. to run another franchise, but the Haverlys stated they did not want to leave the state.

Tim Horton's also gave the Haverlys a promise to hold the site on Kingstown Road to give them time to get financing together. Several months, and several purchase inquiries later, Haverly was contacted by  former Bess Eaton and Dunkin Donuts executive David Liquori, who asked her to join a group of investors trying to bring back the chain. She says the past five months have been spent making that goal a reality.

The investment group, named Bess Eaton Management of Westerly, acquired funding through Washington Trust and purchased the name back from Tim Horton's. Haverly stated she plans to open two other stores in Westerly and Pawcatuck , Conn. in concert with the Wakefield store. 

The Wakefield shop will be open seven days a week from 5 a.m. – 10 p.m. at first, and if business warrants Haverly will reapply for a 24-hour license. She will also be keeping the Coldstone Creamery franchise in the store, and is planning to offer a sandwich line in the future. They will feature fresh brewed hot and iced coffee, and instead of using flavor shots they will also have freshly brewed vanilla and hazelnut coffee.

The donuts, muffins, bagels, croissants and pastries will be provided fresh each day by Bake Fresh in Westerly, which employs a number of former Bess Eaton bakery employees. “This is like a mini-reunion of Bess Eaton employees” she said. Her own ex-employees have pitched in to help clean up the property and repaint some parts of the interior. “We have been so grateful and amazed by their help,” she said.