MARBLEHEAD — The Landing Restaurant will reopen Saturday after fast-moving sea water filled the ocean-front building, tearing the floorboards from the joists and destroying everything in its wake.
“We had three-foot waves crashing through the floor,” said Robert Simonelli, general manager and partner. “The wind was howling in here. The water level just came up into the pub. I haven’t seen it come up that high and I’ve been here 16 years.”
During Thursday’s winter storm, a surge combined with astronomically high tides led to record amounts of flooding across the North Shore. The Landing, which has experienced more minor coastal flooding in the past, took in feet of water.
The floors were torn up by the fearsome tide and the swell of ocean waves, allowing saltwater to spray throughout the restaurant. The floors were being replaced board by board Friday afternoon. Meanwhile, equipment and furniture, including decorative hutches for storing dishes and ruined by the incoming water, needed to be replaced along with some wind-blown ceiling tiles.
“We had the high tide and that lasted for a solid half-hour and it kept going for another hour after that,” said Simonelli.
Despite the destruction, the kitchen and pub reopened Friday morning and Simonelli was encouraging customers to visit for a warm meal. Crews are working to repair the damage, and the dining room is expected to reopen Saturday.
