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Golden Lamb operator asks for patience

New owners still mum on when the historic landmark will be up and running at full capacity.

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By Justin McClelland, Staff Writer 10:36 AM Thursday, July 22, 2010

LEBANON — The new operators of the Golden Lamb, the historic restaurant and inn and a key attraction for the city’s downtown, are asking anxious business owners and patrons for patience as they continue to renovate and reorganize the 207-year-old business.

“The Golden Lamb is a landmark and we are committed to bringing a successful Golden Lamb to Lebanon,” said Ken Pendry, principal of the Phoenix Restaurant Group, which took control of the restaurant in April.

While Pendry is deliberately vague about plans for the restaurant’s menu and internal transitions, he said he wants loyal patrons to know he plans to return the restaurant to its previous luster.

“Nobody is more anxious to get the restaurant back into full swing than I am,” Pendry said. “But getting a feel for this specific business and an appreciation for its place in the community takes time.”

Neighboring small business owners whose fortunes typically rise and fall with that of the Golden Lamb have been waiting with baited breath for news of a full time return to business for the restaurant.

The restaurant closed briefly April 13 while Phoenix obtained serving licenses and then reopened April 22 on a part-time, lunch-only schedule. The inn-portion has remained open since lunches were restored.

“The lack of evening traffic has definitely been felt,” said Sara Arseneau, executive director of the Lebanon Area Chamber of Commerce. “Not having the Golden Lamb open for dinner has definitely had an impact.”

Pendry said the goal is to “evolve the Golden Lamb into a better restaurant.”

“The Lamb is an attraction,” said Candace Lee, director of Historic Downtown Lebanon Inc., a nonprofit organization that promotes downtown Lebanon and its businesses. “Even if people don’t eat or sleep there, they come to Lebanon to see the Golden Lamb and that can bring them to other businesses downtown as well.”

Pendry said he hopes to have dinner service returned shortly, but will not give a specific date to allow the restaurant and staff time to ease into the operation. Complete renovations and reorganization of the restaurant and inn may take several more months, he said.

Pendry said reaction to the remodeling has been positive.

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