In the Beginning: A Stable Named The Mews (1964)
The story of The Mews Restaurant begins in 1964, tucked away down a little courtyard behind a Commercial Street building – quite literally in a former horse stable. Founders Nicholas “Nicky” Wells and his wife Ray Martan Wells fell in love with this hidden waterfront spot and opened a cozy restaurant they named The Mews, inspired by the site’s history. From the outset, The Mews was something special: an intimate inn-and-restaurant where artists, locals, and visitors mingled, setting the stage for a legacy that would endure for decades.
The original Mews found its home in a charming, repurposed stable.
A New Chapter with Ron Robin (1983)
In 1983, a new chapter unfolded when Ron Robin – a Boston radio personality known to fans as “Rockin’ Ron” – decided to take the helm. Ron hadn’t initially planned on owning a restaurant, but he fell in love with The Mews’ vibe and “the perfect bar” inside it. Backed by his marketing savvy, Ron learned the ropes and immediately set about infusing The Mews with new energy while preserving its original charm.
"It had a restaurant attached... why not?" – Ron Robin
Ron’s leadership brought a renewed focus on community. He cultivated a warm atmosphere that keeps diners coming back year after year. Regular patrons began to feel like part of The Mews family, and by the late 1980s the restaurant had solidified its reputation as a Provincetown institution.
Moving to the Waterfront (1993)
After a decade of success, Ron made the bold decision to relocate the restaurant to its current waterfront home at 429 Commercial Street. The team was careful to bring along the soul of The Mews, carrying over treasured artifacts, including several antique mahogany wood carvings dating back to 1892. These ornate panels now form the backdrop of the main bar, ensuring that even in a new location, The Mews looked and felt just like the charming place everyone knew and loved.
Antique wood panels, hand-carved in 1892, preserve the restaurant's historic soul.
Ron and Edmund: Partners in Life and Business
In 1998, Edmund Teo, a talented computer programmer with a keen business sense, joined the team to modernize operations. By 1999 he had become Ron’s full business partner – and, as fate would have it, his partner in life as well. Together, Ron and Edmund have steered The Mews into the 21st century, blending Ron’s flair for hospitality with Edmund’s eye for innovation. In 2018, they purchased the building, securing The Mews' future and paving the way for long-dreamed-of improvements.
The Pop-Up Adventure (2024)
Faced with major renovations during their 60th anniversary year, Ron and Edmund devised a creative solution to avoid closing: a temporary pop-up location just down the road. In March 2024, "Mini Mews" opened at the Waterford Inn, with staff and friends helping move everything from the historic carvings to the bar's brass glass rack. Despite a downsized kitchen, signature dishes like the Mews Vindaloo remained, ensuring the restaurant's 60-year streak of continuous service remained unbroken.
"The vindaloo must go on." – Local Headline
The Grand Reopening (2025)
True to their word, Ron and Edmund triumphantly returned The Mews to its rightful home in early 2025. After a year of meticulous renovation, 429 Commercial Street reopened its doors, revealing a space that was both breathtakingly refreshed and comfortingly familiar. Guests were welcomed back to two distinct dining experiences: the vibrant upstairs Bistro and the relaxed Beach Level, alongside a state-of-the-art kitchen and a structure fortified for the next 60 years.
Most importantly, the soul of the restaurant—the antique mahogany panels, the warm ambiance, and the dedicated team—was not just preserved, but given a newly polished stage. The grand reopening marked the successful culmination of a challenging journey and the beginning of the next exciting era for Provincetown's most beloved dining institution.
