#BeerFriday: Sea Dog Brewery now open in Scarborough

Mark Robinson Sea Dog opened in Scarborough on Dec. 8, in the building that previously housed Famous Dave's.

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Maine family-run Sea Dog Brewing Co. is now open in the former Famous Dave's restaurant space at Cabela's plaza, right off I-95 in Scarborough.

The restaurant's hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week, bringing a late-night dining option to an area that has now has few.

"I think we're looking at some pent-up demand in the Scarborough area, especially for the late-night option," said manager Dale Carrier. "People kept stopping by as renovations were going on, asking when we'd be open."

The current staff count at the new Scarborough location is 60 and Carrier said the brewery is looking for a few more hires.

"We wanted to be part of the exciting growth of Scarborough and the community we will be in," said Carrier. "The restaurant is conveniently located right off the highway and the uptick of development at Scarborough Downs and Costco opening its first location in Maine, we felt it was an unbelievable opportunity for a Sea Dog brew pub."

Scarborough's atmosphere, beer menu and pub fare will match other Sea Dog locations but will also feature seasonal beers and traditional menu specialties. Carrier said the site will offer online ordering, a mobile app and home delivery services such as 2 Dine In and UberEats. Scarborough will also feature Sea Dog's Mug Club, a popular customer loyalty and rewards program across all locations.

Fred Forsley, co-founder of Shipyard Brewing Co. and a partner in Sea Dog Brewing Co., announced the Dec. 8 opening. He had praise for Mark Malone at Malone Commercial Brokers, who brokered the deal. He also complimented the property owners, Barry, Greg and Ian Feldman, and Bill Pearse and Joseph Cloutier of Scarborough BBQ LLC, owner of the building.

"Everybody worked in collaboration to help bring the world-class Sea Dog experience to Scarborough, Maine. They enabled us to buy the property and invest in this community. I'm very excited about this," Forsley said.

Sea Dog Brewing was founded in Camden by Pete Camplin Sr., in 1993,. The Camplin family joined forces with Forsley in 2000. The company now has six Maine locations, two in New Hampshire and two in Florida.

A ribbon-cutting organized by the Portland Regional Chamber will be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20. Forsley said the public is welcome to attend the celebration.

“We are thrilled to welcome Sea Dog and its strong track record to a new home in Scarborough,” said Scarborough Town Manager Tom Hall. “They are a great Maine brand, they know their market and their customers very well, and I think they’ll flourish in that spot. With ongoing growth of the business park at the Downs, that whole area of Payne Road is really thriving. This is a perfect fit.”