| The Cheeky Monkey is owned by the Cruff family of Narragansett, RI, but it hasn’t always been that way… | | | | | | Founded in 1996 by restaurateur Henry Kates, the original Cheeky Monkey Café was located in Newport, RI near historic Thames St. on Bannister's Wharf. The whimsical name came from “Lulu”, a British pastry chef who worked with Kates around the time the restaurant was opening. The story goes: with the location and concept determined, Mr. Kates held a staff meeting to discuss various matters, including a name. Ben and Jerry’s ice cream was popular at the time and a shop had recently opened on Thames St. influencing someone to blurt, “Chunky Monkey.” Lulu, being a bit eccentric, often referred to co-workers as cheeky monkeys so he suggested the alternative and it stuck. | | | | | | After a ten year run, New Year's Eve of 2006 was the last night the Cheeky Monkey in Newport was open. Jeff Cruff, the Executive Chef of the Newport restaurant and his wife Stephanie decided to bring the Cheeky Monkey to Narragansett, officially opening in September 2007. | | | | | | Jeff and Steph along with their two children live in Wakefield, while the Cheeky Monkey continues to blissfully serve and gratify locals and visitors to Narragansett. | | | | | | |  | |
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