Preservation Market takes on table service, cheaper beer, bigger menu

Get ready for some big changes at the venue known as Bridger’s Bottle Shop at 510 Westport Road.

The five-month-old beer emporium has become, since it opened, better known for the restaurant inside the venue — Alex Pope’s popular Preservation Market — than for the beer selection. Pope and his crew, including head chef Devin Campbell, are taking a more active role in the business (including the management of the business) now that two of the original managing partners, Phil Theis and Aaron Beatty, are currently more focused on their karaoke saloon, Offkey Karaoke Lounge & Suites; the third managing partner, Eric Flanagan, is now working for the Westport Ale House.

“In the short term, patrons will see very few changes,” Pope says. “But we’ll be introducing quite a few changes over the next few weeks. Starting this week, Adam Northcraft is the general manager, and we’ll have a full-time host welcoming visitors. It was very confusing for people walking into the place for the first time.”

Pope hopes to begin full table service soon, replacing the current counter service. Another major change, he says, will be “dropping beer prices significantly.”

“When we first opened, there was a perception that there would be a lot of customers purchasing beer to go. That never really happened,” Pope says. “We’re also planning on offering wine and spirits. We’ll roll out a craft cocktail menu once we introduce table service.”

Pope and Campbell have been introducing more substantial entree specials over the last few weeks, in addition to the menu of salads and sandwiches.

“We’ve had a lamb shank that was very well received, so were the baked ribs and a smoked pig’s head that served two people,” Pope says. “We’ve also tested a steak salad and half of a roasted chicken. Customers really liked them.”

Preservation Market has been a popular destination restaurant in Westport since opening last April.

“It’s been a good place,” Pope says. “But we’re going to turn it into a great place.”