SHELBURNE FALLS — The owners of the Blue Rock Restaurant and Bar, Holly Sonntag and Chris Ramirez, may have just purchased the West End Pub, but they say Blue Rock patrons and supporters don’t have to worry. The Blue Rock is not going anywhere.
The couple will be looking for another restaurateur to lease the space on State Street abutting the Shelburne Falls landmark, the Bridge of Flowers, while they continue to run the Blue Rock. The West End Pub has been empty since last fall, when owners Paul St. Martin and Marty Dudek retired and closed the restaurant.
Ramirez and Sonntag purchased the property in December for $450,000. Sonntag said that after hearing that St. Martin wished to retire, but other prospective buyers had fallen through, they knew they had to step in.
“The pub closed in October, and it was a huge loss to the town,” Sonntag said. “People were coming in, they had interest, they had big plans, but it just didn’t happen, and then we came along and asked Paul and went through the process, and we’re just super excited … When we took over the building, I said ‘we have a responsibility to make sure this restaurant opens and stays open.'”
Sonntag said that while she and Ramirez bought the building, they did not have the capacity to run a restaurant there, as well as the Blue Rock. The Blue Rock is a chef-owned business, with Ramirez running the kitchen and Sonntag managing the front of house. The business is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year.
“We’re a chef-owned restaurant, and Chris can’t be in two places at once,” Sonntag said. “So we’re looking for partners, we’re looking for tenants, we’re looking for someone who can thrive.”
The West End Pub was a community staple, and she had nothing but the utmost respect for St. Martin and Dudek, and wished them a good retirement. She added that she hopes they can find a tenant who can live up to the legacy of the West End Pub.
“This was a big institution Paul and Marty retired and they did a lot for this community,” Sonntag said. “We are happy to be helpful in their retirement, we’re happy that they’re trusting us to continue this legacy. We feel very honored.”
The restaurant can seat between 36 and 40 people, Sonntag said, with the potential for a few seats outside as well. She added that being situated next to the Bridge of Flowers, the West End Pub was always busy during tourist season, and whoever occupies the space next will be busy.
She said there’s room for creativity in the space, but she would like to see a restaurateur with the ability to run a dinner service and, during tourist season, a lunch service as well.
“That is what we’re really looking for, what this community needs. That’s what the tourism needs in this town,” Sonntag said.
She said that she and Ramirez did not see the opening of a new restaurant in town as competition, but as an ally in serving the community, particularly during the busy season.
“Whoever opens up in this location is immediately going to be swamped with locals and world travelers. It’s a great money spot, full of great energy,” Sonntag said. “And for us, it’s helpful to have another restaurant because when we’re full, we can send people there, and we can get their overflow when they’re busy and we’re not … we’re pumped.”
The Blue Rock is just down the street from the West End Pub building at 16 State St., which also houses Nancy L. Dole Books and Ephemera, a two-bedroom apartment and an office space. According to the property card, the building is 2532 square feet.
“It used to be the original firehouse. This was built in the 1800s — it’s one of the oldest buildings in Shelburne Falls,” Sonntag said. “It used to be a couple of retail shops and then it became a restaurant starting with Marty’s Riverside Cafe.”
Owners of the Blue Rock restaurant in Shelburne Falls have purchased the West End Pub building, including the building that houses Nancy Dole Books and Ephemara. PAUL FRANZ / Staff Photo 
Owners of the Blue Rock restaurant in Shelburne Falls have purchased the West End Pub building next to the Bridge of Flowers. PAUL FRANZ / Staff Photo
Sonntag said the building has been home to several restaurants over the years, including Marty’s Riverside Cafe, The Copper Angel, and most recently, the West End Pub. Now the building is looking for its next chapter.
She said it is turnkey ready and comes complete with tables, chairs, silverware, dishes and decor — everything needed to run a successful restaurant. She added that she and Ramirez would add a secondary egress in the back of the apartment so the space would be up to code and could be rented.
“Paul and Marty were very efficient restaurant owners, and everything is really exactly where it needs to be,” Sonntag said. “But there’s definitely room for growth.”
Sonntag and Ramirez said they are hoping to get a tenant into the space before the busy season begins.
“We’re hoping to get someone in here as soon as possible,” Sonntag said. “The busy season starts in May. It would be ideal if someone could start working in here around March. It should be a pretty easy transition for anyone who wants to make a jump and move to Shelburne.”
She said she and Ramirez have not settled on what the rent for the space would be, and they would be willing to work with the tenant on the amount, as well as offer their support and knowledge of the restaurant industry.
Sonntag said interested tenants can reach her at Holly@thebluerockrestaurant.com.
“We’ve been in Shelburne for over 15 years, and combined have a lot of experience in the restaurant industry and management. We’re going to be really working with whoever’s coming here to make sure they can thrive,” Sonntag said. “We’re gonna be huge advocates for them.”