Marilyn Monroe-themed pub replacing Crystals
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 10:27 PM EST
By Diane Church
Staff Writer
BRISTOL Diane Baral has long been a fan of Marilyn Monroe. So it was only fitting that when Baral decided to open a restaurant and bar, the lifelong Bristol resident would name it after the iconic star.
That restaurant, Marilyns Pub, is set to open early next year at 388 Broad St., the former site of Crystals Pub and Grub. Although Baral hasnt added on to the building, it has undergone an extreme makeover. It looks bigger because of eaves on the front and windows near the roof. The pub is now a tan color with stone trim. Parking spaces in front of the building have been removed and flowers will be planted. The patio on one side has been revamped. About all that remains of the old Crystals is a purple door in the front, which will soon be replaced, Baral said.
I wanted to do something different, she said. This is for the over 30 crowd. Its a restaurant and a bar. It will have a pub menu, a lunch menu and a dinner experience.
Baral has been working on the property since she purchased it in February, getting permits, hiring contractors and doing much of the work herself.
A lot of blood, sweat and tears went into this, she said. I want to do it right.
A lot of money has gone into it, too. Baral said she spent nearly $1 million on the pub, including purchasing and renovating the building, expanding the parking lot to nearly 60 spaces and even buying the house next door so she could use the land for the parking lot. Much of the money was borrowed.
Baral enjoys cooking and has worked as a cook at several local restaurants and a nursing home. She plans to include a variety of foods on the menu, from burgers and wings to chicken parmesan and shrimp scampi, priced from around $7 to $14.
Bristol is a blue-collar town, she said. The food will be priced so that people can afford to go out.
She also hopes to have entertainment, such as music and comedy. She also wants to host! benefit s, fundraisers and events to help the less fortunate.
I grew up without much, so I would like to help the community, she said.
The restaurants interior will have oak floors, an oak bar with a granite top and a Marilyn Monroe theme.
Baral also plans to install surveillance cameras inside and around the parking lot for security purposes.
The work being done at the site has attracted a lot of attention. Baral said even the previous owners have stopped by.
They cant believe it, she said. Theyre blown away by how nice it looks.
Amit Gandhi, who owns the Broad Street Package Store on the other side of the street, said many of his customers ask him about it.
Im excited about it, he said. It will bring people to the area. There are not a lot of restaurants around here.
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