Pretzel Co. Guys To Open Reunion Tap and Table In Grafton

GRAFTON, MA—The owner of a pretzel place in Grafton has decided to try a new type of business, with a friend, in North Grafton.

Shawn Briggs, who co-founded wholesale manufacturer Wicked Twisted Pretzels with his brother Josh, is opening Reunion Tap and Table with Sargon Hanna, who owns the land on which Wicked Twisted Pretzels sits as well as the bakery used for the company.

Wicked Twisted Pretzels distributes to many national locations, including Whole Foods and several breweries throughout New England. Josh and Shawn's landlords, Sargon and Elias Hannah, approached Shawn about opening a restaurant in one of their other buildings in Grafton. Technically, Shawn and the Hannas own the business.

The owners brought aboard Gary Benacquista, a former bandmate of Briggs's, to run operations for Reunion Tap.

"The pretzel business is a full time endeavor, so Shawn brought me in," Benacquista told Patch. Benacquista has been in the restaurant business for more than 20 years, most recently as the general manager of Foundry on Elm, Saloon and The Rockwell Theatre in Somerville. Before that, he was the GM at Romaine's Wood Grill and Bar in Northborough, and also at one point ran the Central Kitchen, Brick & Mortar, Firebrand Saints and the Enormous Room in Cambridge.

The new restaurant, slated to open in June at 198 Worcester St., features not only those famous pretzels, but "elevated American fare" and a large craft beer selection.

"Reunion Tap & Table is the place down the street where everything is made with love," according to the announcement. "A place where you can relax and enjoy Chef Ryan Marcoux's delicious comfort food and an amazing selection of local craft beers, with a focus on stellar customer service. Reunion will feature an inviting and comfortable dining room, a thoughtful kids menu, a gorgeous private events space, and a generous bar area where you can definitely see the game."

"We chose Grafton because we all have a long connection to Grafton," said Benacquista, who said they have plans to open a beer hall in Charlton, MA, soon as well. "The Briggs and Hanna families put down roots in Grafton in the '70s and '80s. We all have tons of friends and family from Grafton, and wanted to open a place in a familiar and growing community."

Photo of restaurant rendering submitted