Oxford Street Grille shuttered

The Daily ItemLYNN – The lights are off and the doors are locked at the Oxford Street Grill.Restaurant owner Lowell Gray, who founded the fledgling upscale eatery at 191 Oxford St., informed the city’s License Commission of the closure earlier this week.According to Gray, the shutdown could be temporary, presuming the sale to an interested party moves forward.The Jan. 8 letter to License Commission Chairman Richard Coppinger indicates Gray plans to sell the business and that more than one buyer has expressed interest. Gray closed the restaurant on Jan. 1. He was required to notify the commission because it is the issuing authority for the establishment’s liquor license.Debby Ginivan, the License Commission clerk, said Gray informed the commissioners of his plans to sell the restaurant and transfer the liquor license.Meanwhile, The Item received several calls from patrons who purchased Oxford Street Grill gift certificates before Christmas and were concerned about the closure. The restaurant’s Web site, www.oxfordstreetgrill.com, contains an apology for the closure and pending sale, and informs patrons that gift cards purchased in 2006 will be honored. Gift cardholders can keep the cards and use them when the establishment reopens, or redeem them for cash. Instructions are posted on the Web site.Gray rose to prominence in Lynn’s business community in the early 1990s when he founded the Internet service provider company Shore.Net at 173 Oxford St. ? only a few doors away from the restaurant. He sold the technology company and opened the eatery in May 2005. The restaurant was known for fine dining and a menu focused on American fresh seasonal items with a Central European or German-style influence.Gray could not be reached for comment.