Popular 'Taunton landmark' Liberty & Union Alehouse is closing. Here's why
TAUNTON — After just 5 ? years in business, the popular Liberty & Union Alehouse in downtown Taunton has announced its impending permanent closure.
Its last official date of operation will be Friday, Sept. 15.
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve our incredible customers. We had a dream/vision for Downtown Taunton and you all helped us fulfill it. Without our loyal staff and patrons it would not have been possible to have reached our goals,” a statement posted on the restaurant's social media pages said.
In 2019, owner Christopher Coute — who is a Taunton city councilor — said: "When I bought this place, I wanted to do something that connects the history and the city of Taunton. We like the [Liberty and Union] flag. You get that feeling about connecting everything with Taunton because of the restaurant. I wanted to make it a Taunton landmark. That was my goal."
Why is Liberty & Union closing?
Coute told the Taunton Daily Gazette the decision to close Liberty & Union came down to persistent staffing issues and a shortage of job-seeking workforce, even after fighting through the challenges and restrictions during the pandemic.
His wife Kari Coute has worked as general manager for Liberty & Union Alehouse, located at 16 Trescott St., since it opened in February 2018. She left her previous long-time career as a nurse to run the restaurant.
“She tirelessly poured her heart and soul into the restaurant to make sure everything ran smoothly and our customers were happy,” said in the statement on social media announcing the closure.
Christopher Coute said staffing shortages resulting from the "poor labor pool" became frequent, and the amount of “time, effort, energy and commitment” he and Kari were putting into “covering all the shortfalls” and “filling the voids” were “having a negative effect on the family.”
Coute, who owns the building, said when talks started about closing Liberty & Union and leasing out the space “there was consideration about the void it will leave in the community” and “we would only consider this if the business is as good as or better than us.”
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What will move into the Liberty & Union space?
Currently, Coute said he is “on the cusp” of finalizing a lease agreement with a new business to open a restaurant in the space sometime next year, though won’t share details until the agreement is set in stone.
“It won’t be dormant for long,” said Coute about the business space.
Purchased the building in 2016
Coute purchased the building in 2016. It had previously been the site for Lombardi’s Restaurant and Sports Club, which shut down in 2008 due to unpaid back taxes owed to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.
Coute said when he purchased the building, which had been abandoned for a number of years, “it was an eyesore” which he invested a lot of money into to “turn it into something amazing.”
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What about outstanding gift cards?
Gift cards will continue to be accepted between now and Sept. 15 at Liberty & Union Alehouse, and they will also be honored at Coute’s other downtown venue, National Charter 957.
Coute said it’s a “bittersweet” feeling the family is feeling over the closure, saying they’ve received a flood of support and positive messages from patrons and other business owners.
“We had a vision to bring something special. We knew Taunton could handle a nice pub. We were right. The outpouring of support confirmed that,” Coute said.
He added he feels “downtown Taunton is on the upswing right now” with new businesses and economic development opportunities and believes Liberty & Union Alehouse's existence contributed as a catalyst.
“I’m happy to have been part of that,” he said.
This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Downtown Taunton restaurant Liberty & Union Alehouse closing
