Experience fine food and fine art at new Beach Glass Lounge

More than 25 years ago, world-renowned glass artist Cary Ferguson moved from the Cleveland area to the Marblehead Peninsula.

“I spent twenty years in Cleveland, and I was trying to relax,” Ferguson says with a laugh.

But life took him in another direction, and shortly after moving here he purchased eight acres of land on East Harbor Road (State Route 163) near East Harbor State Park.

He built and opened his glassblowing studio and gallery 25 years ago and has doubled the size of the original building.

But he had bigger plans for the land, picturing a campus with multiple buildings and things to do.

“I wanted to model it like Grand Junction in North Olmstead,” Ferguson says.

This year, partnering with his son Cary Ferguson Jr. and his daughter-in-law Shana Ferguson, he’s built a 6,000-square-foot fine dining restaurant right next to the Ferguson Gallery.

The new “Beach Glass Lounge,” offers a one-of-a-kind experience in Marblehead, Ferguson says.

Cary Jr. is in charge of the business side of operations and Shana has been in charge of the interior design. Cary’s focus has been on art.

With a bright white coastal themed space with a large wrap around patio, and large glass windows, original paintings by Ferguson, there’s so much to see and experience in the new venture.

The centerpiece is a 300-pound original glass chandelier hanging in the entryway, with cascading waves made over the course of several months, Ferguson says.

Each blue-green piece is handmade and then meticulously hung on the stainless-steel frame, which Ferguson learned to weld for.

The space can seat about 130 people inside, and the same amount outside.

Guests can watch glassblowers work from the dining room and wraparound patio, or while they wait for a table, step over to the gallery, take a class or shop, he says.

It’s not just good looks: they’ve built a solid team in the last several months while training their staff.

“It’s all about service,” Ferguson says. “We want to bring really good service and really good food.”

The menu is surf and turf, but he says they try to fit the bill for all price ranges.

From delectable bisques, sandwiches, French fries to lobster, Tomahawk steaks, and more, the menu is sure to please a large range of pallets.

“You’ve got to try the Maryland crab cakes,” Ferguson mentions.

In addition to the Ferguson Gallery and Beach Glass Lounge, Cary wants to add other features to the property, including an outdoor bar and space for live music.

“We’ll be able to move a few tables around and hopefully have some dancing in the future,” Ferguson says.

Beach Glass Lounge is located at the 5800 block of East Harbor Road in Lakeside Marblehead, next to Ferguson Gallery.

For more information about the Beach Glass Lounge and Ferguson Gallery, visit their Facebook pages. Hours of operation will be announced soon.