The team behind Somerville’s Trina’s Starlite Lounge and Parlor Sports, Boston’s Audubon, and Newburyport’s The Paddle Inn, executive chef Suzi Maitland, Beau Sturm and Josh Childs, are transferring ownership of the restaurant to their silent partners, Eric Anderson and J.Grimaldi Friday, September 6. The new owners have enlisted long-time Amesbury restaurateur, Sean Toomey of Crave restaurant, who plans to open a new concept called SKY HI kitchen + bar. The new team plans to deliver the same warm hospitality and great food and drinks expected from the 37 Main Street space, while keeping much of previous front of house and back of house team on board.
“We are so grateful for the relationships that we’ve built in the community over the past two years, and we hope that we can continue to do so at The Paddle Inn in Newburyport,” says co-owner Beau Sturm. “We believe that the new ownership team couldn’t be a better fit and fully support Sean Toomey and the SKY HI team.”
Trina’s Starlite Lounge has won a series of awards at their current restaurants, including Esquire Network’s “Best Bars in America” and Bon Appetit’s “10 Best Places for Fried Chicken” for Trina’s Starlite Lounge. The Paddle Inn was called the “Best New Casual Hangout” in Northshore magazine’s 2017 Best of the North Shore Awards,while Trina’s Starlite Lounge in Amesbury was awarded Best Kid-Friendly Dining (2018, 2019), Best Comfort Food (2019) and Best Trivia Night (2019). In addition, Chef Suzi Maitland has appeared as a contestant on the Food Network’s hit show Guy’s Grocery Games. The restaurant has also been featured on The Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.