Yesterday's Artifacts will be Tomorrow's Conversation Pieces after Auction

It was a sad day when Yesterday’s closed its doors for good.

The iconic Newport restaurant has served generations both good food and good memories.

From the Tiffany-style lighting fixtures, to the mahogany bar, the inside of the restaurant will always hold a special place the minds of those who came to celebrate anniversaries, weddings, friendships or even breakups.

Soon, some of those artifacts will find their way to new homes, on new walls. And all the kitchen equipment, including fryers, stoves and grills, could end up in another restaurant.

Everything will be auctioned off on Oct. 24 by Salvadore Auctions Inc., of Narragansett, which has been hired to liquidate the restaurant’s items.

Michael Salvadore Jr., the owner, has auctioned off other high profile restaurants, like the first Bugaboo Creek.

At Yesterday’s, the auctioned items are at a different level, including prints from the Pall Mall engravers to Queen Mary, a Goddard hand carved shell with a pirate skull handmade by Ray Goddard of the Goddard/Townsend furniture makers, beer tap handles, brass beer towers, and the aforementioned mahogany bar.

“The amount of historically correct photos of 1900’s Newport is amazing and the quality of the original artwork is stunning. Plus the amount of collectible items is incredible! Some lucky bides are going to go home with once in a lifetime items,” Salvadore said.

The restaurant closed after the property owner opted not to renew their lease. Owners Richard and Maria Thorn wrapped up their 40 year run with a special Saturday night dinner for their guests on Sept. 26.

“We never expected a response to our closing like we had this weekend with over 1,500 meals served,” Maria Thorn said. “It was a overwhelming response that our friends and customers for over 40 years shared their stories of love, marriage, meeting and chance at Yesterday’s”

The future of the property is not clear. The new owners indicated they are considering leasing to a high-end retailer, Thorn said.

She described the loss of the lease “heartbreaking and devastating.”

One of the more desired items will be a famous sign that was featured prominently in the movie Amistad. It was originally painted with mercury paint and is now enclosed in glass. It depicts the front window Pease Pianos,, the prominent New Bedford piano shop.

Also attracting bids will be a hand carved fan by Paul Goddard, a descendant of the early and well known Rhode Island furniture maker. The stunning woodworking features a hand carved skull as its centerpiece. It is believed to be the only one in existence.

For additional information about this auction visit www.siaai.com.

The auction will be open to the public.