Vivienne Coastal Mediterranean in Downtown Worcester will reopen Thursday, six months after a refrigerator fire forced the Niche Hospitality Group restaurant to shut down just days after its September debut.
“This is a big deal for us. This is our most elevated concept for any of our restaurants,” Niche President Michael Covino said.
Vivienne initially will open only for dinner, Wednesday through Sunday at 446 Main St. The restaurant will open at 4 p.m. and close at 8 p.m. on Sundays, 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
“We absolutely will do lunch here eventually, but it’s something we have to build up to,” Covino said.
The restaurant originally opened Sept. 1 on the first floor of The Glass Tower, in the space formerly occupied by a Santander Bank branch. After five days, a faulty wine refrigerator caused a fire that led to extensive smoke damage, Covino said. Niche spent the next six months uncovering the extent of the damage and rebuilding the restaurant.
Niche retained about 75% of Vivienne’s staff, and the company’s insurance helped pay for some lost wages. The company held fundraisers for the staff to support them during the closure.
Vivienne is Niche’s eighth location, in addition to the nearby VUE Cocktail Lounge on the 24th floor of The Glass Tower. Its other restaurants are two The Fix Burger Bars in Worcester and Marlborough, Bocado Tapas Wine Bar in Worcester and Wellesley, Mezcal Tequila Kitchen in Worcester, and Green Island Oyster in Worcester.
A full Q&A with Niche President Michael Covino about Vivienne’s reopening will appear in the April 6 edition of WBJ.
Brad Kane is editor of the Worcester Business Journal.
