Our History

Harbour Front was built by Street and Company, wine and spirits importers and wholesalers in the 1840’s. The large wheel, the Windlass, now displayed near the entrance, was used to hoist the cargoes which were unloaded in the harbour by schooners, sailing from France and the Carribean, to the upper floors of the building. Many spirit jugs found in Charlotte County bear the name of Street and Company.

In the late 1800’s the building was occupied by the Quoddy Coal Company. The coal came by schooner from the States. About the same time, a bank was also housed here and was the scene of the town’s first bank robbery. In those days, cedar walls prevented insects from eating the community assets.

In the 1930’s, the building became a movie theatre and remained as such until the 1970’s, when, through restoration, it has become a very unique restaurant.

Among the many interesting impalements of earlier times are the old woodworking tools owned by Fred Treadwell, and his father before him, which now decorate the interior of the Restaurant. Mr. Treadwell was a woodworker well known for re-finishing the birdseye maple pillars in Greenock Church. His father was one of the carpenters who built the Kennedy Inn.

The loft area of the restaurant, completed in 1977, is constructed of beams from Ordways Hall. The floor joists come from an old 1880’s boathouse. In all, great care has been taken to blend these materials with the original style of the building, which is so steeped in the history of our town.

We have tried to highlight as much of this history as possible in the present day. Our entrance was inspired by Smuggler’s Wharf, complete with pilings. The balcony is reminiscent of Street and Company. Our holding bar was inspired by the Marina Theatre, and the service bar was inspired by the bank once housed in the building.