Building and parking lot purchased by principal owner of Job Lot, Seven Moons

By LINDSAY OLIVIER
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NORTH KINGSTOWN — Once an anchor in the village of Wickford, 70 Brown St. has sat vacant since Ryan’s Market closed its doors for the last time in April of 2008 after 122 years.

But the fate of the former market got a little brighter Friday during an auction at Washington County Superior Court where the property and adjacent parking lot were purchased for $865,000 by Marc Perlman, principal owner of Ocean State Job Lot and Seven Moons restaurant in North Kingstown.

Perlman is also involved in the Mills Tavern in Providence and the Red Stripe Bistro in East Providence and Narragansett.

“Marc lives in town and drives through the village everyday day to go to work. He was a frequent shopper when Ryan’s was open, so he realizes the importance of it in the village,” said John Barbato, director of real estate for Ocean State Job Lot.

North Kingstown town planner Jon Reiner said Perlman has requested to sit down with town officials to discuss the future use of the building.

Asked if the building would be opened as a market, Barbato said they’re in the process of putting together a game plan to review with Town Manager Michael Embury and Reiner and the new owner hopes to discuss options that will meet the needs of the area businesses and residents.

An inspection has been done on the building and aside from some minor construction projects, Barbato said the building is in pretty good shape.

“One of the back roofs need to repaired because it’s leaking, some of the exterior woodwork is rotting,” he said.

As for the interior, Barbato said some “cosmetic” improvements were needed including new flooring and some ceiling repairs.

There had been speculation that the septic system was in a failed state but Barbato said the system passed inspection and is fairly new.

“This is such a positive step forward. The buyers are very successful and respectable people in town that have thriving businesses. They’ve done a great job in making their businesses popular and can’t wait to see what will happen,” Embury said.

Earlier this year, bid packages were made available to parties interested in the property.

In May, the town submitted a $415,000 bid to Washington County Superior Court for the purchase of the parking lot. Stu Tucker, owner of Duffy’s Tavern on Tower Hill Road, offered to buy the business for the amount the Ryan’s paid for it, which according to him, was $1.5 million.

Neither offer was accepted.

After receiving a minimal response from the first advertisement, another announcement ran in local papers two weeks ago.

Stephen Del Sesto of Shechtman Halperin Savage, LLP in Pawtucket handled the bids.  

“This is a great thing for the village and I’m hoping that they’ll re-open as a market, because we so desperately need one back,” said Karen Lucas, owner of the Hour Glass on West Main Street.  

Town Council member Charles Stamm called the sale “marvelous” and said he is excited to see how the property will be used.

“Having Ryan’s vacant has been a gaping hole in town and it really served as an anchor store. I’m hoping a market will come back and bring back the one-stop shopping as it was before,” Stamm said.

Originally established on Tower Hill Road in 1886, Ryan’s moved to the Brown Street location in 1887. The market was the oldest in North Kingstown.