New Bedford’s Waterfront Grille Closing, New Restaurant Coming

NEW BEDFORD — The Waterfront Grille on Homer's Wharf in New Bedford will be closing its doors after the holidays and re-opening under a new name.

The harbor-side restaurant was purchased by Lafrance Hospitality in June of 2018 and will undergo renovations over a three-week period, following the holidays.

Lafrance tells WBSM News it will reopen the restaurant as Merrill's on the Waterfront on February 1.

Merrill's will serve fresh, local seafood, while maintaining a private event space. The renovations will include upgrades to the current bar and dining areas, with a plan to include more event space. Lafrance says that an outdoor ceremony site will be designed for use for weddings, and will be ready by Fall of 2019.

Lafrance says Merrill's on the Waterfront will pay tribute to Captain Edward Merrill, who purchased the waterfront property on which the Waterfront Grille currently resides in 1837. Captain Merrill constructed the largest of seven new wharves built in New Bedford between 1841 and 1849. The property remained in Merrill's family until 1905 but was renamed Homer's Wharf in 1920.