Luxury restaurant proposed at former Station 885

The former Station 885 on Starkweather Street in Plymouth
 Old Village may soon become a high-end restaurant
with entertainment if plans are approved by city officials.

Don Soenen has proven his respect for historic preservation in Plymouth. Soenen was instrumental, along with businessman Mark Malcolm, in preserving Central Middle School which has become the fully occupied Plymouth Arts and Recreation Complex in downtown Plymouth.

Soenen has now turned his sights on the former Station 885 restaurant next to the railroad tracks in Old Village. He presented plans to the Plymouth Planning Commission this month outlining his concept of a new fine dining restaurant in the Starkweather Street building. The building was a mainstay of the Plymouth community for more than 30 years when it was known as Station 885.

Soenen has owned the 90-year-old building for more than three years, he said, and told planning commissioners that he has plans to convert the site into a "somewhat pricey" restaurant featuring entertainment "appropriate for fine dining clientele." He said he felt the demographics of the area could support his plans. The liquor license from the former operators has already been transferred to Soenen.

The plans include a 500-square-foot dining room and a 745-square-foot event space, along with coolers, kitchens and storage rooms. While some parts of the historic structure will be removed, architect Robert Miller of M Architects, Inc. said elements of the former train-themed operation will be maintained in the much more contemporary design plan. Miller said the outdoor seating area in front of the building will become part of the restaurant interior and outdoor seating moved to the rear of the restaurant. 

City Planning Consultant Sally Elmiger of Carlisle Wortman Associates Inc., had questions about that portion of the plan along with the proposal to allow entrance to the building parking lot from Davis Street. She said the impact on neighborhood residents would need to be considered along with the compatibility of the modern design in Old Village. Soenen responded that the current single access to the parking lot could impact or delay emergency vehicles.  He added that he would return revised plans incorporating the concerns of the commissioners, including more islands in the parking lot. He said he hopes to open the new restaurant early in 2024.