New Wine Bar "Ethos" Planned For Broad Street

A new wine bar calling itself Ethos Nantucket is coming to Broad Street, taking the torch from the Afterhouse, which closed down late last year.

The leadership team at Ethos - including Gracie Schadt, Emily Dusseau, and Zachary Hotter - are applying to the town for a new seasonal common victualler with all-alcoholic beverages license, along with a new entertainment license. According to their application, which will be considered by the Select Board on Wednesday, the 23-seat restaurant will aim to be open six nights per week (Wednesday to Monday), 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., in the timeframe of April through January 15th.

“Ethos is a Greek word meaning ‘character’ that is used to describe the guiding beliefs or ideals that characterize a person, community, or place,” the Ethos team stated in its license application to the Select Board. “This is our Ethos: hospitality, education, and community engagement through the lens of great wine and food. Ethos hopes to be a boutique wine bar in Nantucket featuring a creative small plates dining menu and artisanal cocktails. Dishes will highlight regional cuisine with an emphasis on locally sourced products by partnering with local sustainable farms and fisheries.”

The cozy, partially subterranean space at 18 Broad Street - once the home of Cordillera shop - was closed for most of 2022, as the Afterhouse never reopened for the peak season (although they had some service in the late fall and winter).

The three owners of Ethos Nantucket - Schadt, Dusseau, and Hotter - wrote to the Select Board that they “share over 30 years of combined experience in high-volume restaurant management - over 10 of which have seen us in Nantucket. Our experience covers all elements of restaurant operations: inventory, labor management, menu optimization, product sourcing, bookkeeping, event production, and guest relations. We love this island, and feel strongly that we understand how best to cater to its resident and visiting population.”

In addition to the 23 indoor seats, the Ethos team is also hoping to secure approval for three to four small outdoor tables on the walkway of 18 Broad Street, in alignment with the permit granted to the Afterhouse amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

As far as the menu, Ethos told the Select Board its “focus will be on local and sustainable products. This includes Nantucket Island oysters, scallops, and a rotating selection of fresh fish dishes (ceviche, crudo, sashimi, etc.) as available. Outside of the raw bar offerings, Ethos will feature a selection of salads and soups from Nantucket farmed produce. An array of cheeses (sourced predominantly from the Massachusetts based Wasik's Cheese Shop) and cured meats from local producers will be offered in curated charcuterie boards. Additional tapas style menu items such as stuffed dates and marinated olives will allow customers a variety of snacking options. We are excited to feature a unique-to-island savory crepe menu. Crepes can be gluten and dairy free to cater to visitors with allergies, and allow a wider audience to enjoy our menu. Late night bites will be an array of crepes and snacks that can be served quickly and offer late-night diners or industry workers.”

The entertainment license being sought by Ethos would include an auxiliary house system as background throughout service hours and the restaurant asserted the “music will be kept at appropriate volume with consideration to neighboring restaurants and tenants of the 18 Broad Street building.”

Ethos Nantucket plans to be open for the spring of 2023.