Peabody's hotspot for country tunes and Southern eats, Stanzy's Country Ranch, will soon slide over and pass the baton to new pub ownership. According to a Facebook post by the current owners, their landlord has set sights on the very space that Stanzy's occupies to open his own pub, naming it "the perfect and only place he could imagine doing it in." The decision to sell was described as a move to allow the landlord to chase his dreams, with the post adding, "After much consideration and soul searching, we decided that selling Stanzy's to our amazing landlord to follow his dream was the right thing to do," MassLive reported.
Famed for its live local music, homemade Southern grub, and vibrant themed brunches, Stanzy's had become a cultural fixture in Peabody's North Shore over the years. Despite a forced eight-week closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the country bar quickly resumed to be a local favorite, welcoming patrons keenly to enjoy events like cornhole Thursdays and the taste of scratch-made dishes highlighting local ingredients with the promise of "homemade food cuz' it just tastes better" as stated on their menu page. As they prepare to return to normal capacity, they've asked guests to bear with them, admitting, "We may be out of certain items on our menu. We thank you for your understanding!"
Community reaction was mixed with a tingling sense of nostalgia and anticipation for what's next. Local artists and regulars expressed their sadness over the change, as one commenter reminisced, "You all were always so welcoming to up and coming local country artists. Thanks for all your support over the years," and another added, "So many fun nights at Stanzy’s. Hope the pub has live music like you guys. Definitely going to miss it," revealing the strong bonds formed within the walls of 1 Main St., also known as the historic O’Shea Building – the cornerstone of Downtown Peabody.
The sentiment from the owners, however, swung optimistic. "We are excited for the new owner to continue to advance our beloved space,” they said, priming patrons to "Get ready because it is going to be one hell of a pub." Loyal Stanzy's clientele have been assured that they can redeem any existing gift cards at the forthcoming pub or the sister restaurant, Rivalry in Salem. With the handover, Peabody waits to see if the new establishment can maintain the same magnetic pull Stanzy's wielded with its beloved local charm and live melodies. As the torch gets passed, the spotlight firmly stays on 1 Main St., awaiting its next act.
