New owner for Rosebud - this time for real?

[ron_newman]

From Somerville Patch: Rosebud Diner to Get New Owner, Updated Look and Food

Marty Bloom, a local restaurateur who founded Vinny Testa's and owns Mission Oak Grill in Newburyport, is close to cementing a deal to purchase Davis Square's Rosebud Diner, according to Bloom, who attended a Somerville Licensing Commission meeting Wednesday night.

Bloom said the completed sale would likely become final sometime in late March or early April. He was at the Licensing Commission meeting to request the transfer of Rosebud's alcohol, victualer and entertainment licenses to his company, a request the commission approved.

The story is a bit confusing, as it describes the upcoming work as a "big upgrade" in one paragraph, then as "minor renovations" in another.

(Seven months ago, another news report about a Rosebud sale turned out to be false.)

Comments

[hikermtnbiker.livejournal.com]

Not a surprise, really.

I'd hate to see the inside torn up as it is as iconic as the outside, maybe more, since the outside needs some serious TLC. Even if they did gut it hopefully they could re-use the bits in an interesting way. But it would be nice if the diner area stayed mostly intact.

[ron_newman]

I think the inside has been altered several times already. It looks much better now than when it was the 'Cuckoo's Nest' Mexican restaurant back in the 90s.

[42itous.livejournal.com]

No opinion on the restauranteur nor the restaurant itself, but I have to say I love the idea of some guy named Bloom owning the Rosebud. :)

[teko.livejournal.com]

Given how historic and iconic the place is -- and how much it's cited as an example of an original diner, etc -- if I were the new owners, I'd keep the diner car looking as 'authentic' as possible. The restaurant behind it needs some serious updating, though.

[ron_newman]

The Rosebud's exterior is protected by Somerville historic preservation laws, as it has been designated to be a local historic district (or part of one). This was an issue when Tasty Burger was thinking of buying the place, and they wanted to replace the 'Rosebud' sign with their own.

Municipalities in Massachusetts can't use historic preservation laws to protect interiors. And I believe the Rosebud's current interior, while attractive and worth keeping, isn't the original decor.