Plan To Rebuild Milford Tradesman Tavern Rises From The Ashes

MILFORD, MA — Plans to rebuild the former Tradesman Tavern in Milford appear to be rising from the ashes.

The owner of the former bar and restaurant has filed plans with the town to partially rebuild where the Tradesman once stood near the corner of Fiske Mill Road and West Street.

The 284 West St. tavern burned to the ground in a February 2021 fire. Owner Robert DeDominic pledged to rebuild the local watering hole. A separate GoFundMe fundraiser raised over $30,000 for employees left jobless after the fire.

By January, DeDominic said he would not move forward with a new building, citing the high cost of construction. He planned to sell the land to a Dunkin' franchise owner, according to published reports. He also advertised the Tradesman's name and assets as up for sale on the bar's Facebook page.

But he kept the Tradesman alive in 2022 by hosting a series of "takeovers" at Central Tavern featuring local bands and bar tenders from the Tradesman.

In December, DeDominic filed an application to build a single-story, 1,650 square-foot building at 284 West St. to house a club or lodge. According to the application, the building would only have a bar with no kitchen to prepare food. The new bar would also have a patio with outdoor seating.

DeDominic did not immediately respond to a request for comment via email about the renewed plans.

The plans for a potential new Tradesman will go before the Milford Planning Board on Jan. 3. Town Engineer Elizabeth Mainini has recommended approval of the plans with changes, including a permit for removal of a grease trap, a review by the Conservation Commission and getting a permit from MassDOT for a curb cut to serve the parking lot.