Who gives a business away? Restaurateur Reza Rahmani of Bar 25 in Ayer is running a contest with the prize being the business lease to his Main Street bar and restaurant, which is now closed.
Rahmani, who also operates Bar 25 in Newburyport and sin•a•loa in Salisbury, decided on this unique approach when he realized that his Ayer location needed more attention than he was able to provide, yet potential buyers did not share his vision for the space. The contest is in partnership with the Phantom Gourmet.
Next week, Rahmani and Phantom Gourmet representatives will review all 42 applications received by the May 31 deadline. The top five or six applicants will be invited to an in-person event—slated for late June or early July—to present their proposals. Rahmani hopes the judging panel will decide the winner at the event, which will be held at one of his other restaurants.
Beyond transferring the lease with four years remaining, all fixtures in the place, and the remaining liquor, Rahmani is working to create a support network of consultants and partners on whom the new owner can lean. “Just giving the restaurant away doesn’t mean it will succeed,” explains Rahmani, “I want to be sure the winner is set up for success.” For example, the space needs a hood system, which runs around $30,000, and while installation is not required to open, it definitely affects what can be offered on the menu. Funding the hood is one area the consultant group could help. The liquor license must be transferred to the new owner through the usual process mandated by the state and the town.
Rahmani’s offer comes from wanting to give someone an opportunity and support the community of Ayer. He speaks passionately about how the community embraced his craft cocktail concept and helped the restaurant survive through COVID-19. “The community did a lot for us. We are not just going to leave.”
