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We are The Hartin Family, proud locals born and raised in this very area. In December 2020, during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we took a leap of faith and purchased The Opera House. Despite the uncertainty of the time, we believed that pursuing our dream was a risk worth taking.

Growing up in the neighborhood, The Opera House had always intrigued us from afar—its doors holding mysteries waiting to be uncovered. Although it had been closed for many years and remained a locked secret since before our time, we were eager for the opportunity to finally step inside and discover its hidden history.

At first, we had no immediate plans for the property beyond converting it into our family home. At that time, I was already focused on running my HVAC business, leaving little room for new ventures. The first several months were spent clearing out years of accumulated belongings left behind in the building, with most historical artifacts having already been sold off prior to our ownership. Once the space was fully cleaned out, our attention turned to renovating and modernizing the building—painting, refinishing walls and trim, and addressing critical heating and plumbing systems to make the space suitable for living.

During this process, we uncovered burst pipes caused by long-term neglect of the boiler and water systems in the residential section. Years of exposure to harsh winter cold without proper heat had taken a serious toll, further revealing the extent of repairs needed to restore The Opera House toward its former condition and bring it back to life.

As of 2022, we began to see everything coming together at the property. The two rental units were performing well, and our interactions with guests led to conversations about additional opportunities for the building. After many discussions and brainstorming sessions, we decided to convert the old storefront in the main building into a rentable venue for events and gatherings open to the public.

We refreshed the space by painting the trim, repairing walls and shelving, installing a restroom and sinks, and building out a counter area behind a bar. The renovation also included wall sconces, a new tin ceiling, and pendant lighting, which together created a warm, inviting glow throughout the room. Once the work was completed, we invited local friends to experience the space and share their feedback. It quickly became clear that the best use for the area was as a neighborhood pub lounge, which would also complement the existing rental rooms where we host guests.

From there, we began reaching out to contacts, meeting with the town, planning board, and code office, and developing a business plan while applying for the necessary licenses and inspections. After approximately six months, we received full approval to open. On April 1st, 2023, we proudly opened The Opera House Lounge, marking the first operating business in the building in over three decades.

Following the successful launch of the lounge, I continued running my HVAC business until around October 2023, when I made the decision to sell it in order to focus entirely on The Opera House. Managing both the lounge and the inn rooms kept me fully occupied, and we still hold aspirations of opening the theater in the future. We are deeply passionate about this place and remain committed to showcasing the building’s full potential.