By Devon Cormier
Staff Writer

The Molly Stark Tavern in New Boston closed Sunday, March 13. The owners, Lou and Carol Maynard, are retiring and have sold the business. The tavern will reopen in a few months under new ownership. (Devon Cormier Photo)

The Molly Stark Tavern has been the center of Louis and Carol Maynard's universe for more than a decade. The tavern was their business, their home, the place where they raised their children.

"We raised our sons here, now they've moved on and we are ready to move on as well," said co-owner Louis Maynard. "I'm 64 years old and we are coming to our retirement."

The tavern that Louis Maynard opened in 1979 had a quiet closing on Sunday, March 13, and will reopen as the New Boston Tavern under new ownership in a few months. Jim and Carol Eggers, who also own Ragamufen's Restaurant in Amherst, plan to open their doors in about two weeks, they said.

Louis and Carol Maynard promise they will find or build a home in New Boston and stop into the new restaurant for a good meal.

Lou and Carol Maynard are retiring after 27 years at the helm of the Molly Stark Tavern. The couple said it's time for a change and has sold the establishment, which they say holds many fond memories. (Devon Cormier Photo)

"All the people in town have supported us and we would like to thank them," said Louis Maynard. "We have been a success story in New Boston for 27 years."

The Maynards have some wonderful memories of the Molly Stark Tavern starting with their wedding reception in 1987, the opening of the pub in 1989 and all the years since when their children would play on the beach by the little river and waterfall out back.

Louis Maynard has fond memories of how it all began, but nothing compares to what it all added up to.

"I lived in Connecticut," he said. "I always liked living in the country and the country started to get smaller. I decided to move back to the country and I came here and then I saw this place for sale."

Louis Maynard came to New Boston when there were only 1,600 people in town, back in 1979 when he found the Molly Stark Tavern, decorated with nothing but a for sale sign, Maynard got interested. He said it was owned for a few weeks by two men who never even installed a septic system.

The town was in the process of shutting the place down when it was abandoned by the owners.

But now the Molly Stark Tavern, although bereft of its former beach and waterfall, has the most beautiful and extensive gardens and sparkling ambiance in the area.

Soon after he bought the place and opened the tavern, Maynard met his future wife and business partner, Carol. With sons the same age, the two soon began sharing the front of the Molly Stark Tavern as their home.

The town ballooned in front of their eyes, an increase of patrons resulting from a population increase from 1,600 to 4,000 people.

"There has been an influx of people since I've been here," said Maynard. "They are mostly very nice people."

Carol Maynard remembers when more than 200 people showed up for the grand opening of the pub in 1989 as one of her favorite memories of the Molly Stark Tavern.

"It was just a wild, wonderful time," Carol Maynard said. "We were very well received and it was marvelous."

While the excitement and buzz of running a restaurant created golden memories for the pair – raising their children, tending the gardens, laying on the now-washed-away beach – they will also cherish the quieter times they will be having more of soon.

"We are going to miss the excitement, but it's nice not to have the burdens of running a restaurant and to have more quality time together and do some things we've talked about. Maybe travel," said Maynard.

Many will miss the staple bar and restaurant, with its gorgeous wood interior, old signs hanging from every decorated crevice inside and summertime calm and beauty.