Neo Restaurant bids farewell to Salisbury

SALISBURY – A longtime Main Street restaurant in Salisbury has closed, but the space will not remain vacant for long.

Neo Restaurant & Bar, at 19 Main St., recently announced it had ceased operations after several years in business. In a message posted on the restaurant’s front door, the owner described the decision as “very emotional” and thanked customers for their support.

“This is a very emotional letter that is hard for me to share,” the owner wrote. “Neo Restaurant and Bar is unfortunately coming to an end. We poured our heart, energy and soul every day at Neo, which in return gave us the best customers and friendships we could have ever asked for.”

According to the notice, the restaurant’s final day of operation was May 22.

A farewell sign on the door of the former Neo Restaurant & Bar thanks customers.Madi Long

Neo served pizza, pasta, salads and Italian-inspired entrees, along with seafood dishes, burgers and cocktails. The restaurant opened shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic and became a fixture in downtown Salisbury.

The new tenant will be Jam Food Shop, the popular deli, caterer and prepared foods business that recently announced plans to relocate from Sharon Farm Market when its lease expires at the end of September.

Ethan Watt, a real estate salesperson with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty whose office is next door, welcomed the news.

“Excellent food, good prepared stuff,” Watt said of Jam. “It’s probably going to be in competition with LaBonne’s, but it’s good to have a little competition.”

Amy Danis, also with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, said she was sorry to see Neo close but enthusiastic about Jam’s arrival.

“We’re very excited to have Jam moving in, because they have excellent sandwiches,” Danis said. “We need a place to get lunch.”

Danis said she is particularly looking forward to the shop’s prepared foods and take-home meal options.