NEWPORT, R.I. (WPRI) — Scales & Shells, a beloved Thames Street seafood restaurant, will soon change hands.
The Heritage Restaurant Group announced Thursday that it has acquired the Newport restaurant, which was originally founded in 1987 by the Ackerman family.
Scales & Shells will continue to operate as is through the end of the year, according to the Heritage Restaurant Group, which is also referred to as Audrain Hospitality.
The Heritage Restaurant Group said Scales & Shells will temporarily close and “undergo a thoughtful renovation” in January 2026 as it “transitions to an elevated seafood concept that deepens the location’s longstanding commitment to fresh, quality seafood.”
RELATED: Heritage Restaurant Group seeks to uphold legacy of RI favorites
The goal of the renovation will be to “honor both the past and future” of the Thames Street mainstay.
It’s unclear exactly how long the renovations will take, but Heritage Restaurant Group plans to reveal more about their plans for the restaurant in the near future.
The Heritage Restaurant Group has acquired numerous restaurants across Newport and the state as a whole, including The Old Canteen, Olyneyville New York System, Flo’s Clam Shack and The Red Parrot.
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