15 Walnut Has New Manager

There's a new manager at in Hamilton.

Ben Shute is taking over at the popular downtown Hamilton restaurant located in the Shoppes at Hamilton Crossing.

The change in management requires notification to the Hamilton Board of Selectmen, serving as the Licensing Board, and the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. Selectmen OKed the change on Monday night.

Shute was promoted to the position when the former manager Andrea Knight was promoted to a corporate position with Serenitee Restaurant Group, which owns 15 Walnut and several other North Shore restaurants, according to attorney Gilda Elmstrom.

The board expressed no concern about Shute taking over. In response to a question from Board Chairman David Neill, Shute said July has been slow so far but that since he took over, business has been up 15 percent. Additional chefs, servers and tables have been added to meet greater demand, he said.

Late last month, the restaurant had to close early on a Saturday night . The restaurant .

Chute, who said he is TIPS-trained (Training for Intervention ProcedureS) will have a training for all staff and bartenders at the restaurant.

Selectmen Marc Johnson also noted that Chute said on his paperwork that he will be at the restaurant 50-55 hours per week.