Newport on the Levee’s new outdoor drinking and dining hub Bridgeview Box Park is beginning the opening process.
Starting this weekend, per an email, some of its tenants will be hosting soft openings and “the restaurants will continue to expand their menus over the next month.”
The project has taken over the space formerly occupied by Mitchell’s Fish Market, which was demolished in order to provide more substantial river views and to better connect with the Levee.
The Bridgeview Box Park will feature a turf plaza with plenty of outdoor seating, entertainment space, shipping container-like boxes with vendors, an octagon-shaped box and a food truck with festival lighting strung above the space. The businesses involved will offer window service and include:
- Kon-Tiki on the Levee, an eclectic tiki bar with a laid-back vibe;
- UPDATE: This will now be Che on Wheels, a food truck version of the OTR spot with “picnic-style grilled and smoked meats, sandwiches, and sides, as well as handmade empanadas and other snacks.” A food truck version of downtown’s The View at Shires’ Garden with picnic-style grilled and smoked meats, sandwiches, empanadas and more;
- The Little Spoon Bakery and Cafe, a baked goods and coffee shop using Carabello Coffee;
- Bon Mi Street, offering creative takes on Asian street food and milk tea;
- Leaf & Limb, a plant and curated goods shop;
- Wooden Cask Brewing Co., a Newport brewing operation from Randy and Karen Schiltz that specializes in traditional English, Scottish and Irish style beers, plus lighter options like sangria and wine;
- and Second Sight Spirits, the Ludlow-based distiller, which will be offering a “multitude of cocktail options such as the smoked cherry rum limeade, black and blue berry mixed mojitos and… a Levee exclusive cocktail (they’re) dubbing ‘Levee Tea,’ a Bourbon mixed with blueberry iced tea,” says the Newport on the Levee Facebook page.
“We are creating an experience akin to sitting on your deck at home, except imagine that you are sipping an umbrella drink while people watching and taking in the four bridges stretching over the river,” said Adam Schwegman, partner and senior vice president of leasing at North American Properties (NAP), the developers behind Newport on the Levee’s transformation.
“The Box Park model is part of our approach to curating a retail and restaurant mix that is fresh, modern and approachable for small businesses. Moreover, the open-air design of the box park naturally lends itself to creating a comfortable gathering place for the community as we start to return to the ‘next normal.’”
According to the release, they’re planning the project with the CDC’s coronavirus guidelines in mind and have implemented a “Better Together” program with steps and measures in order to keep visitors and employees safe.
Get updates at facebook.com/newportonthelevee.
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This article appears in May 6 – Jun 14, 2020.
