03/17/2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce “The Social” (Barton Hospitality Naples) will be leaving the Naples Hotel on April first. Our last days of operation will be March 20th to 23rd to assure a timely move out on April First.
Many know that against our better judgement, The Social opened without a liquor license in winter/ offseason of 2022. In full transparency, we made the decision to keep the lights on at the expense of our other business' & still fell behind on the first few months of winter rent until April of 2023. Food just can not carry an upscale concept without a beverage program. This, in conjunction with the MASSIVE 14 month renovation of the first floor, which went over budget due to multiple structural expenses we did not expect to take on, from a space that was “turnkey & operating a year earlier” put us in a poor place right out of the gate. Despite paying rent the last 20 months and the repayment some back rent from open; in October of 2024 we were put in a position to pay back rent in its entirety or quit the lease.
Though we do believe The Social was on the right track, please know this decision does not come easily for us. Restaurants usually take 3-5 years to become "profitable".. and we would have saw our 5 year mark/ end of lease in Summer 2027. With the uncertainty of the economy, supply chains, additional rent increases come June, coupled with the current leasing relationship, & no guarantee of renewal after 5 years; we did not feel we could be successful long term in the space as a tenant.
We poured our love, time, retirement investment & even sold our family home in Penfield to finish funding the construction of the restaurant. We sacrificed our youngest child’s early infancy to renovate this space and give this dream back to our town. The full-time hours spent in the space the last 3 years to make a more “upscale” concept work, especially in the Naples winter with 3 other hospitality business' took a toll on our family, but we have always and still feel the sacrifice was worth it.
We have found such joy and support in our community the last three years as we have gotten to know you all more closely and thank you all for your continued support as we make this difficult transition. It has been an amazing 3 years with all of you. We are proud of all of the creativity to come from the space, including Women’s Weekend & the building of an incredible culinary team the last 6 months.
Our staff will be moving to Lock Stock Bar & Grill as will most of our weekly musical obligations. If you have recently purchased a Social gift card, we will gladly honor it at Locks, or if you reach out to us personally we will try to remedy it.
All catering events currently booked with Barton Hospitality, have been moved to alternate locations. Thank you to the venues who have graciously offered their spaces to our catering teams and customers this summer. We will miss you Naples, but are a short drive down the road and will continue to support Naples and South Bristol through our other business’. Thank You from our family to yours. We look forward to spending the summer with you all at Lock Stock Bar & Grill.
Please come "Get Social" with us one last time this weekend, as we say goodbye to a labor of love.
The Barton Hospitality Team
