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A&W To Open With New Owner

photo by Mike Cameron

Tuesday May 1, 2007

By Mike Cameron

    Like many of us, Tony and Nancy Neri remember the ‘good-ole-days’ when frosty mugs of frothy, tasty, A&W Root Beer could quench a hot summer thirst while washing down a tasty burger basket stuffed full of savory french fries.  

    The music coming out of the speakers of that 57 Chevy was vintage Top-40’s Rock and Roll.  

    D.J.’s like ‘Wolf Man Jack” and “Cousin Brucie Morrow,” were in their prime and ‘car hops’ could make a nice weeks pay waiting on your vehicle at curb-side.  

    The Neri’s also know that  this summer tradition has been kept alive here in Middlebury with the last A&W still operating in Vermont, New Hampshire or Maine right on Route 7 south of town.  

    The popular attraction which draws customers from all over the region was most recently owned by Solon G. Colburn, Sarah  Cassidy and Kim Smith.  They have kept the A&W traditions alive with great food, spotless kitchens and rest rooms, excellent car hop service and of course famous frosty A&W Root Beer, a beverage that has not changed since the 50’s.  

    The only other A&W that is within traveling distance from Vermont is Lake George Village New York and it is mobbed in the summertime by downstate tourists.

    Last week Colburn, Cassidy and Smith sold the building, property and franchise to the Neri’s who will be bringing in long time associate David Nienow to run the business.  Nienow will still remain the owner/operator of Rumuntos Sicilian Pizza on MacIntyre Lane.  

    In our next issue we will get David’s take on this latest venture with his long time friend and business associate Tony Neri.

    The two men have been involved in the the food and restaurant business since 1980 when Dave was Tony’s master chef at Paisano's where Two Brothers Restaurant is now.

    Tony remembers those days fondly.  “We were busy, David was the Master Chef, Robert Becker was with us then and of course my mother Mama Neri,” he remembers with a big smile.

    Other business all involving quality food entree's, specialty foods and beverages followed including Mama’s Italian Restaurant in the shopping center, Vermont Commissary Services at Middlebury Union High School. Angela’s Restaurant and Angela’s Pub managed by Paul Neri, were added to Middlebury Vending and Tony’s Pizza both of which were Neri originals  back in 1970 and 1972.  “At one time we had over 100 employees here in Middlebury,” Tony remembers.  

    During our recent interview the Voice asked Neri if the local A&W will see any changes under the ownership and management of Neri and Nienow?  “Right now David is completing the management course at “Hamburger U,” he will be in charge of running the franchise according to the terms of our agreement with A&W national which is a restaurant brand of Yum! Brands Inc.,” Tony explained.

    Yum! Brands Inc. is the world’s largest restaurant company in terms of system restaurants with more than 34,000 restaurants, which includes more than 2,000 licensed restaurants, in more than 100 countries and territories.  Four of the company’s restaurant brands---KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Long John Silver’s--are the global leaders of the chicken, pizza, Mexican-style food and quick-service seafood categories respectively according to the latest restaurant news on their web site.

    “This is a fun project for us and now that we have completed the deal and have begun some renovations the people we are talking to are also excited.  We will be painting the roof A&W Orange with town approval and we have completely rebuilt the original milk shake maker so we can make authentic 50’s and 60’s  milk shakes,” Tony explained.  It will compliment  the  A&W Root Beer, Root Beer floats, and a menu that David is working on right now.  Neri and Nienow have worked their magic before and they are about to do it again.

    The A&W presents some amazing marketing possibilities including new signage with the now famous A&W Bear.  The new ‘Papa Burger’ will be featured in television coverage of the 2007 Kentucky Derby.

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