Berry's Restaurant gets a new owner

NORWALK — Berry's Restaurant in uptown Norwalk has a new owner. H.R.F Enterprises LLC purchased the restaurant for $375,000 from 15 W. Main St. LLC., according to Huron County Auditor Roland Tkach. Carlyn Wall, 16 Gerard Dr. in Norwalk, signed the mortgage Thursday morning. "I am very excited about this," Wall said Thursday afternoon. "This is something I wanted to do my whole life. I definitely have been a foodie all my life." The Walls (Jeff and Carlyn) have lived in Norwalk about eight months, Carlyn said, moving to town for her husband's work. "I would like to do (open) it in the next three to six months," she said. "It needs a few things to bring it up to code and I still need to get the health department in there." Wall said it is the thrill of a lifetime. "It's just me. It's my baby," Wall said. "A lifelong dream come true. Just very excited. Letting it all soak in." 15 W. Main St. LLC — Brian and Leslie Chase — bought the restaurant for $227,000 on Feb. 13, 2020, but it never reopened. "I would hope that it would be an economic engine," Tkach said. "A destination restaurant could be an economic engine for uptown Norwalk. "Hopefully we can overcome the Monday food dessert. There are no sit-down restaurants open in uptown Norwalk on Mondays." Norwalk councilman Steven Schumm, a 1959 graduate of St. Paul High School, has many fond memories of the longtime restaurant. "When I was playing basketball we would stop in there after the game," he said. "If there was an event, we would stop in there. "It sure is big for the city," Schumm added. "That's a real positive stroke for downtown Norwalk. I hope that the people, when it opens up, really, really patronize it. That's a great thing." Norwalk Mayor Dave Light said this is a real shot in the arm for the city. "I'll tell you what — I am on top of the world," he said. "That is a big part of Norwalk history. I talked to a lot of people from out of town and they always said when they came to Norwalk they wanted to stop at Berry's. I feel bad for Brian and Leslie, because they really wanted to open that restaurant. But I am glad it will reopen. Light said Wall first had sights set on the former Huron County Jail at the corner of E. Seminary and Benedict Ave., but the bid didn't work out. "I am so excited to see that open," Light said. "She has the personality to make it a success. I can't wait. I hope they keep their rice pudding and strawberry shortcake. "This is just great."