Venting, kitchen and access issues will keep Tap Room doors shut through summer
BY MARY LANCASTER INDEPENDENT WRITER
Unfortunately for fans of the casual Tap Room at the Jared Coffin House, there is no resolution in sight for major repair issues in the restaurant and bar, meaning it will remain closed for the foreseeable future.

The Tap Room shut down more than a year ago when exploratory work towards making improvements to the tavern revealed a number of problems needing correction, including code updates, handicap access and restrooms, kitchen exhaust hood requirements, the hotel's elevator and other matters.

"There have been no changes," Stephen Karp said last Friday. Karp, principal of Nantucket Island Resorts, which owns the hotel, discussed the magnitude of the renovation in January. "We haven't figured out yet how to fix the venting, kitchen and access problems to get it reopened. If it can make sense, we want to reopen, but we have to rip so much apart we just don't know. We will work on solutions over the summer."

In other NIR news, Khaled Hashem, Managing Director for the company, which owns a majority of the island's hotels, said several changes at its properties are in store for this year. First, the Harbor Wok at Harbor House Village will open in July. The restaurant and take-out was to open in June, but its proprietors have other obligations preventing them from starting service here until July - but, they will be staying open through September this year, a lengthening of their season.

Also new is a special package for island residents, inviting them to spend a night "away" at the Wauwinet. The package includes breakfast and dinner for two, a welcome gift, plus a $100 credit towards the new spa services being offered. The spa opens May 4. As has been tradition for the last few years, complimentary cheese and wine are served in the Wauwinet's library during the afternoon for all guests. Another new amenity at the Wauwinet, as well as at the White Elephant, are room safes for patrons to make them feel comfortable leaving valuables when they are away from their accommodations.

The Brant Point Grill at the White Elephant opened April 6 and will be serving lunch and dinner on Fridays and Saturdays for the next two weeks before hours expand. That hotel this year is also introducing organic cotton bed linens, new flat screen televisions with DVD players in guest rooms, and a spa that

will open later in the season. I