NEWBURY Although a firm date has yet to be announced, Mad Marthas, a popular Plum Island eatery, will reopen in the next couple of weeks, according to co-ownerKendall Bowie.

Youll see us down on the island flipping eggs, Bowie said one afternoon last week.

Mad Marthas, which opened in September 2011, is owned and operated by Bowie and Kyree Gerson. It has been the go-to place for breakfast and brunch on Plum Island yet, attracting diners from across the region.

During the busiest parts of the morning and early afternoon, it is not uncommon to seemany people waiting outside for a table.

In March,the Northern Boulevard eatery, along with every restaurant in the state, was forced to close to reduce the spread of COVID-19. In the months that followed, Mad Marthas staff has been updating customers on its Facebook page about plans to reopen.

Bowie said she and Gerson have beenworking diligently to plan a safe reopening for customers and the diners 11 employees. Doing that has led to several rounds of discussionsaimed atadhering to state and local mandates while not losing the Mad Marthas experience.

Rumors of its demise were fueled bya For Sale sign planted just outside the front door.

According to the real estate website Zillow,51 Northern Blvd., No. 3, has been on the market for 426 days and is listed at$259,900. It is by far the least expensive property available on Plum Island with the next least expensive property, a two-bedroom, one-bath cottage at 25 Northern Blvd., listed for $420,000.

Bowie said she and Gerson have been interested in the Mad Marthas space, listed as a 520-square-foot commercial space, for years. It is one of three units inside the building, the other two being condominiums, all owned by a Newburyport-based couple.

Mad Marthas was last assessed at $114,700. When added together, the spaces werelast assessedat$400,600, according to the towns online assessors database.

We have tried to buy the building many times, thats theNo. 1 question (we get), Bowie said.

Complicating matters for potential buyers is that the space is listed as commercial property, meaning that it is ineligible for residential loans.

It also means that the owner would need toreceive approval from the town to change the space from commercial to residential. Those are significant hurdles for those not interested in maintaining a business there, according to listing agentDon Notargiacomo of Coldwell Banker Realty.

Other downsides include the lack of deeded parking and the need for flood insurance. All in all, its a property with a lot of little issues that have scared off many.

Theprice is reflective of what it needs,Notargiacomo said.

Notargiacomo said he has had the space under agreement twice only for the buyers to back out before pulling the trigger. Hes also received interest from a Rockport resident interested in converting the space into a bakery.

Imreally so surprised that I havent sold that property, the activity is crazy,Notargiacomo said.

Bowie said she and Gerson arent contemplating shutting down the business permanently and advised people not to lookat the For Sale sign.

We have no intention of going anywhere, Bowie said.

Staff writer Dave Rogers can be reached at drogers@newburyportnews.com. Follow him on Twitter@drogers41008

We are making critical coverage of the coronavirus available for free. Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the latest news and information on this developing story.

Continue reading here:

Mad Martha's owners to reopen Plum Island eatery soon - The Daily News of Newburyport