George’s of Galilee helps Matunuck Oyster Bar employees after fire

NARRANGANSETT, R.I. (WLNE) — A couple of weeks after a fire destroyed the Matunuck Oyster Bar, the Rhode Island restaurant community is coming together to help those who worked there.

Claire Cahir is the private dining and events manager at George’s of Galilee in Narragansett, and said she knew they had to step up after the fire.

“If you work in hospitality, you feel for every single person who was about to go in to work that day and is now without a job,” Cahir said.

Rhode Island Hospitality put out a list of several restaurants offering to hire any Matunuck employees looking for work, including George’s.

“Hospitality is tough enough as it is, to make ends meet during the winter,” Cahir said. “The summer is where everyone makes their money, and so if we can help out some of our fellow teammates in hospitality here in South County, we’re happy to do that.”

Megan Zimmerman said she only worked at Matunuck for a couple of months but was still devastated by the fire.

“I saw on Facebook that George’s was hiring Matunuck Oyster Bar employees and I figured I’d give it a try,” Zimmerman said. “We’re really grateful to be here, and it’s gonna be a great summer here.”

Jacee Russello said this would have been her fourth summer at Matunuck but noted the support she has received at George’s has been amazing.

“You know, starting anywhere new, it’s gonna be scary,” Russello said. “It was great to see how welcoming everyone was, so friendly, and I can’t wait to see what the summer brings.”

While they’re happy at their new spot, the Matunuck employees said they’re looking forward to returning to the place they know and love.

Both Russello and Zimmerman said they have faith in Matunuck Owner Perry Raso.

“We can’t wait to see what he does to Matunuck when it reopens,” Russello said. “We’re all holding each other together, our ‘Ma’ family is one of a kind, it’s really special.”

Cahir said, though it’s natural to be competitive, the way the hospitality community has rallied together shows there’s strength in unity.

“I think I speaks to being human beings,” she said. “There’s enough craziness in the world already.”