Special-Occasion Standby Venus De Milo Restaurant To Close
SWANSEA, MA — More than six decades and countless weddings, fundraisers and special occasions later, the Venus De Milo Restaurant is closing its doors. The building was listed for sale for $4.75 million.
A spokesperson for the restaurant said takeout service will continue, eventually transitioning to Jillian's Sports Pub under the name "Venus Foods." Takeout service is available Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to the restaurant's Facebook page.
The Swansea event hall has been a special occasion standby for Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts residents for more than a generation. It has been operating on a takeout-only basis since March 18, following Gov. Charlie Baker's stay-at-home order banning in-person gatherings.
The 60,000-square-foot venue is billed as a potential redevelopment site of the standing building, or a site for a waterfront retail or residential project.
"MG Commercial is proud to market for sale the iconic Venus De Milo site on Route 6 in Swansea, MA," the listing reads. "For over 60 years this venue was known for being the regions largest event, wedding and banquet facility with award-winning cuisine and outstanding service. Venus De Milo operated in a 60,000 sq. ft. restaurant and catering facility on a 7 acre waterfront parcel."
Current owner Monte Ferris said he is "moving toward retirement" sooner than expected due to the coronavirus pandemic. Anyone who has already put down a deposit for a wedding, banquet or other event will receive a refund.
"It's hard to sell the facility, because that's been my life," Ferris said. "I've been there since I was 11, 12 years old."
The restaurant started as a duck pin bowling alley in 1959, with a lounge and snack bar later added. Over time, 10-pin bowling overtook duck pin in popularity, causing Ferris' father, Monsour, to transition the facility to a restaurant and banquet venue. The bowling alley lanes are still visible in what is now the dance floor.
"We've had an amazing amount of celebrities visit as patrons and as attractions and entertainers," Ferris said.
Famous guests have included Danny Thomas, Van Morrison, Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell, Steven Tyler, The Clancy Brothers band, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, Walter Cronkite, The Moody Blues and more.
The restaurant has long been a part of the community, with Monte and his father supporting several charitable organizations over the years including St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Easter Seals, the Diabetes Association, Battleship Cove and more. Both were recipients of the Outstanding Citizens of the Year by the Fall River Chamber of Commerce, the only father and son to receive the award, 17 years apart.
"My father was very thankful for his success, he was pretty religious and kept St. Anthony of the Desert church and parish community close to his heart," Ferris said. "This is why the whole family supported a lot of different things, and we tried not to overlap, so we could help as many as possible."
This article originally appeared on the Seekonk-Swansea Patch
