The Chicken Coop Kitchen & Bar Now open in Johnston, perfect for just about any occasion by Jennifer Coates The sign on the bar says it all to those who enter: “Come in, we are Awesome!” For Tonya Antonelli and Meliza Ferruolo, the coowners of The Chicken Coop Kitchen & Bar, this catchy phrase says everything - this place is awesome, and all are truly welcome! A focus on great service and good oldfashioned hospitality at this new restaurant in Johnston is not by accident, it is, in fact, quite intentional. Meliza and Tonya, who are linked by their partners, brothers Robert Ferruolo (who is married to Meliza) and Mathew Ferruolo (Tonya’s fiancé) care deeply about the dining experience that their customers have at The Chicken Coop. This begins with the kind of friendly hospitality that they expect their servers and bartenders to deliver ~ along with the delicious food they serve up every day at this casual kitchen and bar in the city. Rhode Islanders Ferruolo and Antonelli are not only the co-owners of The Chicken Coop Kitchen & Bar, they are also good friends. When the former take-out restaurant Wings-to-Go closed, Tonya, who has been in the industry for over twenty-seven years, jumped at the chance to go out on her own. Along with Meliza, these two women put their heads together and set in motion a plan to convert a tired and empty space into the cozy, welcoming dine-in restaurant it is today. The lease to The Coop was signed on September 5th and with the guidance and design inspiration of Tonya and Meliza, the Ferruolo brothers went right to work. With their 30+ years of combined experience in commercial and residential construction, these hardworking guys completed renovations that went from floor to ceiling, rafter to rafter, and front to back. No detail 12 Shop In RI
was left undone. The restaurant was officially opened to the public on November 19th, in record time. What was once an overly bold-colored space had been expanded, lightened, brightened, and modernized. Today, a soft blue-gray paint coats the wainscoting while the remaining wall space is covered with whitewashed brick. The tabletops are butcher block and the bar has a dark, polished granite countertop which anchors the whole room. The restaurant is divided into a dining area and a lounge area where diners can relax while they munch on appetizers or just cozy up with a cocktail while they watch the Patriots play on one of the many TV’s in the room. The light of a neon sign - a gift from Meliza to
