"It's been on my mind non-stop for the past two years," said Ed Shea, Co-founder, CEO, and Artistic Director of Warren's 2nd Story Theatre, of Union, the new restaurant opening this Sunday, March 17 on the first floor of the Theatre's Market Street home. Shea now adds a new title, restauranteur, to his resume — and if sneak previews are any indication, it suits him.

Union is the result of Shea's vision of the ideal night out at the Theatre, supported by a State Cultural Facilities Grant that was approved by voters to help 2nd Story and its 1914 building make major improvements in both its infrastructure and concessions. The theatre has always has a full license from the town of Warren, this is just a renovation — and significant upgrade — to an existing facility. The restaurant and a planned taproom slated to open around Labor Day are not business entities independent of the non-profit theatre; proceeds will go to support 2nd Story.

As skilled at creating a welcoming public space as he has proven to be at staging innovative theater, Shea stayed true to the building's original purpose: a union hall for French Canadian metalworkers who were constructing Warren's American Tourister building. That building itself has recently been reborn as a renovated residence and mixed use property, a coincidence not lost on Shea. "I love that it's all coming back together at the same time," he said.

The space retains that convivial club feel, with beadboard, warm tones, and plenty of room to socialize. Warren artisans and artists brought on board include O & G Studio, who created the chairs in both the dining room and bar, and Spectra Seating, who made the banquettes. Fourteen works by Warren painter Mary Dondero will adorn the walls.

The behind-the-scene changes may not be as aesthetically appealing, but they are even more impressive in scope, with the excavation and installation of a ground-level state-of-the-art commercial kitchen capable of serving 120 diners at a time. Both ventilation and soundproofing were very important to Shea, who emphasized he did not want sounds (or smells) between the bustling kitchen, the dining room, and the theatre to compete with each other.

Shea chose the name Union as a nod to the building's original purpose, but that's not the only reason. "It's a union of 2 experiences: theater & dining. This doesn't exist anywhere else," he said. "It's not dinner theater." In many ways, it brings 2nd Story back to its 1978 roots, when Shea, along with the late Pat Hegnauer, founded the Theatre on the second floor over a Newport restaurant.

Shea is excited about the energy and enthusiasm of his staff, including Manager Chuck Lafond, who spent 7 years at Bravo, the Providence brasserie which effectively serves as Trinity Rep's go-to restaurant, and head chef Justin Keegan. With a background cheffing in high-end private clubs, the 2001 Johnson & Wales grad is very familiar with the seating format that will lend itself to a theater's schedule, as well as cooking for a range of tastes. Accordingly, the menu he's created with the help of sous chef Mike Carouso, who has been spending his days testing recipes in a Providence satellite kitchen, is diverse and flexible, with plenty of options (including vegan and gluten free). "I never say no," said Keegan.

Shea is planning to make slight tweaks to his line up to better facilitate the combined experience of dining and theater. "Ideally we'll do 10 plays a year, and flip them quickly so dinner and theater are both available most of the time," he said. "I like the idea of more shows, with a smaller capacity." He is also scheduling more shows without intermissions, shifting matinee times to better work with a brunch schedule, and instituting a 5:30 "twilight matinee", which would allow a "Sunday supper" seating before and after. On other nights, he hopes that post-theater dinners could offer Warren's nightlife a little jolt.

"It's all about the continuity of experience," Shea said. "You park once, and you won't have to tell the waiter that you have dinner plans — he'll tell you." Even Shea's choice of wine glasses and coffee mugs were made
with continuity in mind. He wants them to feel comfortable in your hand when it's time to carry that cappuccino or after-dinner drink upstairs to the Theatre.

"I want the experience to continue, unbroken," Shea said. "The shared experience with strangers, where the only connection is the love of the experience…that's really what this place is all about."

For reservations and more information about Union and Second Story, call 401/247-4200 or visit 2ndstorytheatre.com.