Highway Restaurant & Bar Acquires Indian Wells Tavern

AMAGANSETT, NY — Highway Restaurant & Bar in East Hampton announced this week that they've acquired the Indian Wells Tavern in Amagansett — with plans to reopen the space this summer.

According to a release, the team behind Highway Restaurant "is excited to bring their perspective on hospitality and dining to a second location in the town of Amagansett."

In addition, the release said: "Highway is grateful for the support and encouragement they've received from Indian Wells Tavern owners, Kevin Boles and Chris Eggert. They wish them and their entire Bostwick’s staff continued success. The two groups share a wonderful relationship out east and the timing of this development was right for both organizations."

Boles and Eggert will remain at the helm until March 2; after that, the new owners will refresh the decor and embark upon maintenance.

Highway Restaurant & Bar in East Hampton is under the TOMS Hospitality portfolio, which includes establishments such as Eleven Madison Park, NoMad Hotel Restaurant and Bar, Loring Place, Charlie Bird, Shuko and Pasquale Jones.

Looking ahead, the release said, "In wanting to keep the beloved restaurant space true to its form, it will stay a tavern style bar and restaurant."

The new menu will spotlight local favorites, utilizing fresh ingredients; patrons will still be able to watch their favorite teams on the bar televisions, have a pre-Talkhouse cocktail or enjoy a meal at the bar or in the dining room, the release said.

Updates to the bar will include a broadened cocktail program and beverage offering, with draft beer options as well as a wide selection of affordable wines and spirits.

Although the relaunch date is not yet set, the new Tavern is slated to open in early summer 2020.

Locals reflected on the news on social media. "Chris and Kevin have been outstanding tenants in my father's building since they first moved in," said resident Dell Cullum. "We thank them for that, and for the many years of joy, great food and drink, and a friendly meeting place in the awesome community of Amagansett."

Cullum, whose knowledge of local history runs deep, said his father and grandfather built many homes and businesses in Amagansett. "They had a particular model home that sat in the lot where the Indian Wells Tavern sits today, and they built these homes all over — only one remains in East Hampton on Three Mile Harbor."

The model home was moved in 1951 or 1952 to a lot Cullum's father purchased halfway down Hedges Lane, he said.

"The empty lot on Main Street remained vacant until the 60s when my father and grandfather built the building that sits there today. From my memory — just shy of 100% — it was first a candle store, in the very late 60s. It was then split into two stores. One side became the Gansett Deli, that my mother operated; the other side was Leatherology," he said. "When the leather shop left, my father handcrafted a circular bar and the space became McKendry's. That remained for quite a spell, then became Houlihan's, I think. Meanwhile, in 1980, the deli closes and becomes Estia's. When Estia moved, the Indian Wells Tavern took over the entire lease."

He added that working at the Gansett Deli "sure were the best times in Amagansett."