February 27, 2009
By Robin Kaminski/The Daily Item

A European-style café by day and a wine bar at night is in the works for the former Gulu-Gulu at 56 Central Square.

Turbine Wine Bar and Industrial Café is the brainchild of Nahant resident Stephen Hanley, who said he fell in love with the space at the former eatery and wanted to transform it into something that would better suit the neighborhood.

He said he is hoping to be open in late March or early April.

"I'm looking at the restaurant from a business standpoint in order to make it fiscally sound and I've created a model I believe will work in this area and in the economy," Hanley said. "I also haven't seen too many wine bar combos on the North Shore, which I think will work here."

Hanley, 39, said he plans to keep the eclectic style of the space intact, but is going to change the interior slightly with a concrete bar and tabletops to match the industrial and modern feel of the space.

ITEM PHOTO/Reba M. Saldanha
Mayor Edward Clancy Jr. addresses the Lynn City Council during Tuesday night's Lynnway bond issue debate.

An assortment of pressed sandwiches, soups and salads will be on the afternoon menu, while a lighter fare of cheese plates and desserts will accompany an extensive beer and wine list for the evening crowd.
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"There won't be a curtain that will come down or go up to signify the day and night crowd," he quipped. "But the audience that is dining during the day is not the same as the crowd that will come at night. I want it to be a destination place for those coming home to Lynn from work."

Hanley says the 70-foot long interior brick wall and high ceilings offer the perfect spot for art shows and private functions, which he hopes the public takes advantage of.

Price points will be very similar to the former restaurant, but Hanley stressed that Turbine will offer faster and more efficient service for its customers.

Hanley has a background in sales with several firms and has worked in the venture capital side of the business as well. His family previously owned Maddie's Sail Loft in Marblehead before selling the business.

"I'm very bullish on the future development of Lynn and its upward mobility," he said. "Some people are in this business to make a quick buck, but I'm in it for the long haul and I intent to do everything I can to help the downtown area and community move forward."

Another local eatery about to open its doors is the Blue Ox on Oxford Street.

Attorney Mark DeJoie, principal of the newly formed Lynn Restaurant Group, Inc. (LRG) and Matt O'Neil, a Swampscott native and Nahant resident, plan to open Blue Ox in March in the building that was formerly the Downtown Bistro, and before that, the Oxford Street Grill.

DeJoie and O'Neill plan to keep things simple at the new eatery with a family friendly atmosphere and comfort food with a twist, from cheeseburgers to prime steaks, salads and fresh seafood.