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Evolution of the Evergreen: Some changes are in store
 
 
by Brendan Berube
Contributing Writer
 

 
 
  

 
   
  
 THE FAMILIAR GREEN AND YELLOW exterior of the Evergreen Clam Bar will soon change, thanks to new operator David Preston, who plans to remodel the beloved restaurant. (Photo by Brendan Berube) (click for larger version)
March 22, 2007
BARNSTEAD — The former Evergreen Clam Bar, a familiar sight to Barnstead residents who travel on Route 28 every day, is about to undergo some big changes under its new operator, a member of one of the town's most prominent families.

David Preston, owner of OSG Paintball and youngest son of Selectman Gordon Preston and school board member Kathy Preston, recently secured a lease on the property and plans to renovate and re-open the beloved restaurant under a new name in May.

There's just one problem: he hasn't found the right name yet.

With a planned Memorial Day opening coming up, Preston has decided to enlist the town's help by asking residents to participate in a naming contest.

The entries, which are due by April 14, must have something to do with the ocean, or with the restaurant's specialties, seafood and ice cream.

The winner, he added, will receive free food vouchers and of course, bragging rights.

"I like for people to be able to think outside the box," Preston said. "We've already gotten some pretty good ideas … it should be fun, [especially] for the kids."

Preston plans to change the restaurant's signature pine green color, and repaint it to suit its new name, once the right one has been found.

For the first few years, Preston said his main focus will be the restaurant itself, but he is already looking toward the future with plans to re-open the long-dormant family ski hill attached to the property.

"There's not a lot to do around here for youth in the wintertime," he said, explaining that residents will be able to choose between skiing and snow tubing.

Preston also hopes to open a drive-through gourmet coffee stand on the property, but said that those plans won't become a reality until next fall, at the earliest.

"It's nice to be able to get a really good cup of coffee," he said, adding that there are not a lot of coffee shops in the area to choose from.

For right now, though, Preston's focus is on the first step, finding a name.

"I've always been involved in community stuff," he said, "so I'm letting the community have a part in naming [the restaurant]."

Residents are encouraged to submit their ideas for names to osgpaintball@yahoo.com.

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