Tavern takeover delayed

By CHELSEY POLLOCK
Union Leader Correspondent
DERRY  -- In a tentative agreement, town staff and the owners of the Pinkerton Tavern have pushed back the restaurant’s move-out date to March 15, said Derry Town Administrator John Anderson.
An earlier agreement had cited Feb. 1 as the last date that Tavern owners Jen Lutzen and Guy Streitburger could remain in their 13 Manchester Road building, as the town has initiated eminent domain on the property as part of a Route 28 widening project.
But Anderson said Lutzen and Streitburger had concerns about losing business over Valentine’s Day and not having enough time to fulfill outstanding gift certificates. He said the push back will not interfere with the widening schedule, which calls for construction in April.
Under the draft agreement, Anderson said the town would pay Lutzen and Streitburger $305,000 to cover the cost of relocating their business.
Lutzen and Streitburger have made no public acknowledgment of their plans for the restaurant and could not be reached for comment. 

The town is still in negotiations with Arnold Goldstein of Bedford, who owns the 13 Manchester Road property, about an appropriate compensation for the parcel to be seized under eminent domain. 
Anderson said the tavern building will go up for auction in the early spring and will likely be knocked down if not purchased.