ADAMS, Mass. -- The building at 69 Park St. once sold provisions; now it sells protection. 

 

Smith Bros.-McAndrews Insurance held its grand opening and a ribbon cutting on Wednesday afternoon in the former Red Carpet Restaurant.

 

President and CEO David Bissaillon purchased the vacant restaurant, which closed in 2019, as a permanent home last year for the legacy company, which offers a wide array of personal and business insurance. 

 

"This is Smith Bros.-McAndrews' fourth location on Park Street on this side of the street. OK, we have nothing against the even side, but we've always been a little bit odd here, and it seems to be working for us," jested Bissaillon.  "So we're 127-128 years old, whatever we are, but I am truly so committed to this town, this business. ...

 

"One of the reasons that I bought this building is because I have such confidence and faith in what is happening in this town -- the Adams Theater, the Greylock Glenn, much other investment."

 

The building has been transformed over the past eight months.  The tables, chairs, long bar and dark wood is gone -- though quite a bit of the kitchen still remains. The space now has new carpeting, freshly painted light blue walls and white woodwork, a reception area and computers and new wiring.

 

Bissaillon became owner and president of the insurance agency in 2018; a year later, George Haddad and his sister Ann Bartlett decided it was time to close their restaurant, a Park Street mainstay for nearly 70 years.