The “Ocean Mist – Just a beach bar!” was once known as Carpenters Café having been built by the Carpenter family in 1928. The building originally operated as a local watering hole that served as a snack bar for beach patrons.

Throughout the history of the Ocean Mist, the building has weathered many storms including the hurricane of 1938. But in 1983, the perfect storm hit the coast and the entire kitchen, deck and a third of the building was lost.

In 1988, Kevin Finnegan purchased the building with a commitment to preserving the building’s history and providing a live music venue for South County. In 2018, The Mist celebrated its 30th anniversary. Throughout the years, the Ocean Mist has become a place of community and visitors alike. A place for the community to come and celebrate the good times and mourn the losses. A place that welcomes visitors worldwide to come and relax by the soothing sound of the Atlantic Ocean.

Over three decades later, Kevin Finnegan has kept true to his word by preserving the nostalgic way of life in Matunuck while focusing on the revitalization of the village. By acquiring the businesses adjacent to the Ocean Mist, he has been able to maintain the thriving businesses rather than watch them be replaced by oceanfront homes. The Pub, Matunuck Pizza Pie Co., Matunuck Surf Shop, Point Break Cottages, Surfside Café, and Block Island Pizza Pie Co. are the results of Finnegan’s core values of placing his community and people first. With each new venture, Kevin has created job opportunities for people from near and far. For many, they come to understand, though the work may be hard at times, it is fun and rewarding. Many summer jobs become lifetime careers.

Welcome to the Village of Matunuck…we hope you stay.