Matunuck Plan Could Spell
End for the Ocean Mist
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| The deck of the Ocean Mist.
(photo by |
MATUNUCK — This coastal community in the far reaches of South Kingstown harbors all the working ingredients of a
self-sustaining village.
The corner store, surf shop, pizza parlor and hometown
pubs play host to local residents, tourists and daily beach-goers every year.
In the heart of Matunuck village stands the Ocean Mist,
sitting high on pilings above the Atlantic , a
virtual dock of hedonism, enjoyed, remembered and revisited by people of all
walks of life. Together, The Ocean Mist and village of Matunuck
“I wouldn’t be here without the people of Matunuck and
the village wouldn’t be the same without the Ocean Mist. We are a community
here, one that works together, says Kevin Finnegan, who’s owned the bar since
1988.
Nodding to Tara’s, the
Ocean Mist’s sister pub next door, Finnegan tells the story of a unique banding
of peoples. “People come in here and migrate to Tara ’s.
They come back and forth. We work together – share coolers, customers, onions,
whatever we need to do.”
Chuckling,
Finnegan reminisced about his unabridged ride as the Captain of the ship and
long-time resident of the village. “I’m from Providence
Living
at the beach house as soon as he was able to drive, Finnegan began his bid for
the Ocean Mist. “It took four or five years, but I finally got the previous
owners to sell it to me.” The bar which had previously only been seasonal,
opened in May 1988 under Finnegan’s reign and has been open year-round ever
since.
Now
a full pub, breakfast haunt, live music venue and beach bar, an eclectic venue
where all are welcome, the Ocean Mist is the community hub.
“The
crowd is so diverse. Where can you sit down for a cold beer and have the hell’s
angels to your right – a grandmother to your left? The mayor, the police,
senators are all here together,” says Jack Hanley who’s worked for Finnegan
since the beginning.
When
asked his thoughts on the possibility of the Ocean Mist being washed out to
sea, Hanley turned somber. “I would be heartbroken.”
The
Ocean Mist is the first building in the line of defense against severe ocean
tides and beach erosion in Matunuck. The town, Coastal Resources
Management, (CRMC), private property owner’s and environmental agencies are
caught in a net of red tape that has tested the limits of time and Mother
Nature. Finnegan and several property owners to the east on the tiny stretch of
Matunuck shoreline are awaiting a resolution that will allow them to protect
their properties.
“I
have people who depend on me,” says Finnegan time and again. “My employees,
vendors, the musicians, the list doesn’t end. I’m not just in this for myself.
This is a community. If the Mist goes, the situation – erosion will just
continue down the beach.”
The erosion issue, not unique to Matunuck is a growing
concern up and down the east coast. Whether it be the shoreline of Block Island Sound, Long Island or Virginia Beach,
coastal erosion and sea level rise have become a global concern. Those coastal
areas occupied by homes and businesses, by families and communities are of critical
concern.
Legal
maneuverings, meetings, research and agendas are now taking Finnegan’s time
away from the business that he has nurtured for more than 20 years. When
asked what he would be doing if the situation were resolved, Finnegan had a
quiet answer for a quiet day at the beach.
“I’d
be selling beer,” he said. “It’s what I do.”