KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) vJust two months after abruptly closing its doors, Yellow Bell Café is preparing for a comeback.
The breakfast and lunch spot at 45 Main St. is expected to reopen later this month under new ownership, with a familiar face stepping into the lead role. Chris McAtee, who previously worked in the café’s kitchen, is taking over the business and relaunching it with a mix of continuity and new ideas.
The café closed in early March after about a year in operation, leaving a gap in Keene’s downtown dining scene.
McAtee brings experience in both business and the restaurant industry. His approach will largely preserve what customers came to know, while introducing some changes aimed at expanding the café’s appeal.
Much of Yellow Bell’s breakfast and lunch menu is expected to return, maintaining the style that helped it gain a following during its first year. A new dinner menu is also in the works, signaling a broader focus for the restaurant moving forward.
Some members of the previous staff are expected to return as well, offering a sense of continuity for regular customers.
McAtee is also exploring the possibility of honoring gift cards purchased before the closure, though that decision will depend on what is financially feasible for the new business.
Once reopened, Yellow Bell Café is planning to operate Thursdays through Mondays, serving from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and reopening in the evening from 5 to 9 p.m.
