Swansea barbecue restaurant The Saucery granted beer and wine license

SWANSEA — The Select Board has approved an on-premise beer and wine license for No Joke Smoke BBQ, doing business as The Saucery.

Ryan and Sharon Nahas, the husband and wife team behind the restaurant that previously operated out of the Swansea Mall food court, said they want local craft breweries and wineries involved in their New England-style barbecue food business, now at 395 Wilbur Ave. 

"We're just looking to continue growing the business and continue growing the brand," Ryan said.

The couple started a barbecue sauce business, expanded to catering and eventually opened a restaurant at the mall, which closed March 30. With the new location, which formerly housed seafood and pizza restaurants along with a country store, Ryan said the focus will be on ingredients from local farms and a healthier, cleaner way to enjoy food.

Selectman Christopher Carreiro said it will be nice to see the building occupied again, and to have another sit-down restaurant option on Route 103.

Selectman Derek Heim thanked Ryan and Sharon for their investment in Swansea. He said he knows their food has a following. He tried some himself at the mall.

Select Board Chairman Steven Kitchin said the application submitted by The Saucery notes that the restaurant wants to host live entertainment. He was concerned about the impact that could have on the neighborhood. Ryan said the restaurant would host acoustic music — low-key and no loud bands.

Kitchin asked how the business would contain the smoke from any outdoor barbecuing at the business. Sharon, noting she and her husband consulted with the fire department, said a cover would keep the smoke from spreading far.

The couple who started the business in their kitchen said they want their employees to be a team and customers to feel like they can put away their cell phones at the restaurant, with a television-free bar, and enjoy a meal with the family.

The beer and wine license became available when another business surrendered its license in exchange for a full liquor license.