The following is an interview with Marblehead native Curt Havens, new co-owner of The Beacon Restaurant & Bar, conducted by Discover Marblehead. To learn more about The Beacon, go to thebeaconmarblehead.com.
Tell us about the Beacon Restaurant & Bar. The new owners of the Beacon Restaurant & Bar, as well as the Warwick Cinemas, are Johnny Ray, Edgar Alleyne and his brothers (Andrew & Ken), and me, Curt Havens. Johnny and Edgar asked me to get involved about 19 months ago. We acquired the business from previous ownership officially on May 21 of this year. At The Beacon, we provide an extremely unique dining and entertainment experience. My partners have a combined 60 years of experience in the entertainment and hospitality industry. With Edgar being an executive chef most of his life and Johnny’s lifetime of experience as an entertainer, and my business acumen and attention to detail, the three of us make quite a team. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would own a restaurant. When I was a young boy, the McNulty family owned the cinemas, and I remember many times going to that theater to buy my ticket and a bag of popcorn from Tom McNulty himself. Now I actually own the theaters with great partners. I pinch myself sometimes thinking this is all a dream, but it’s a beautiful reality. When you go to our website under the owners, you will find more detail about us as well as upcoming entertainment events, operating hours and, of course, our incredible menu by Chef Edgar.
What are some of the recent changes The Beacon has made? We’re always looking for ways to enhance our brand. Some of our recent changes include being open seven days a week. We’re open for brunch on Sundays and serve right into dinner.
The restaurant itself is capable of handling up to 150 people comfortably and when weather permits, our outdoor patio gives us the opportunity to serve at many times of the year up to 225 people. With only a few venues that can host large events in town, Marblehead needs a great place to hold celebrations like these. We’re uniquely equipped and qualified and have already done dozens of them since we acquired ownership. This has been very exciting and has been an important part of growing our business and our brand.
Tell us about one new event.
We’re hosting our first annual toy drive with the help of the Marblehead Fire Department and, of course, the wonderful community of Marblehead. This is in honor of my brother Michael John Havens, who hosted a toy drive event at the Gerry 5 for over 15 years and collected thousands of unwrapped toys for needy children all over the North Shore. The Beacon has taken up this wonderful tradition and we’re asking people between now and Dec. 12 to drop off an unwrapped toy (or gift card for an older child to buy what they wish) which will be distributed with the help of local firefighter Tim Cronin.
What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received? It might sound cliché, but follow your dreams. Be persistent and don’t take no for an answer. If you truly believe and have passion for something, anything is possible. I learned that advice from a gentleman who gave me my first shot on television with my national home improvement television show I had in the early ‘90s. He said my task would be largely impossible, but I had a vision and persevered and it molded my character and made me the successful businessman I am today. That one moment being told it can’t be done and then doing it successfully taught me the biggest lesson that I will carry for the rest of my life and pass on to my children.
What is your favorite spot in Marblehead, and why? There are so many favorite spots in town, I don’t even know where to start. Marblehead is a wonderful walking town with so many things to see and do and history to learn, as well as incredible dining. I was asked recently since I became an owner of a restaurant … do we have competition out there, and my answer was an emphatic no. I don’t consider other restaurants’ competition; I call it a coalition. We all care about one another and support one another. Every restaurant in town offers something unique. I visit them frequently as I love to dine out. Our businesses collectively are the backbone of this community, and we work together on a regular basis to build each other up so we all can be successful.
The business spotlight is a weekly feature published in partnership with Discover Marblehead. To learn more, visit discovermhd.com.
