Freestones Celebrates 30 Years as a Downtown Destination

Freestones Restaurant and Bar is celebrating 30 years of business in downtown New Bedford’s historic district during the month of March. The celebration includes special pricing of items that were favorites in 1979.
As part of an ongoing strategy to promote business, owners Russell Kandalaft and Jack Wetherbee have instituted many changes since taking over the restaurant three years ago. “This anniversary celebration is only one strategy we’ve used,” Russell explained. “We’ve extended the menu, offered customers loyalty cards and held raffles.”
Aside from tending to the 132-year-old historic building’s repairs, they serve an average of 300 meals a day on a typical Saturday in the warmer months. “As the season permits, we like to buy our seafood and produce from local purveyors,” Russell said.
“Downtown revitalization, after several years of concerted effort on the part of many, is adding new businesses and new jobs,” said Matthew A. Morrissey, executive director of the New Bedford Economic Development Council. “However no one forgets that for many years Freestones was among a small handful of places downtown where people could go for great food and conversation. In 1979, the opening of Freestones was a signal of downtown’s reinvigoration and it will continue to remain a fixture for many years to come.”
According to the website, http://www.freestones.com/story.htm “The building that now houses Freestones Restaurant and Bar, was originally built as the Citizen’s National Bank in 1877. …. The bank is also responsible for the freestone addition to the facade of the building. The rectangular hand cut bricks on the outside of the building are known as Longmeadow freestones. Thus came the inspiration for the name, Freestones.”
With its copper-top bar, cozy dining room, private function room, and live music on Monday and Thursday evenings, Freestones will offer residents and tourists alike a great place to meet for another 30 years.
Please join us in celebrating their 30th year by heading over and enjoying fine food and an atmosphere that has been a downtown staple for decades.