🔒Friday Food Insider: An Ogunquit restaurant goes up for sale, while two Maine wineries shift gears

Roberto's Italian Restaurant, an Italian restaurant in Ogunquit, is known for its pizza, pasta and seafood. For the first time since it opened nearly five decades ago, Roberto's, located at 200 Shore Road, has been listed for sale. The asking price is $2.78 million. Owner Kathy Cammarota is ready to "quiet her life and pass the baton to a new owner," the listing agent, Don Wunder at RE/MAX Realty One, told Mainebiz. He says it's intended to be a turnkey property that could easily make the transition to a new owner. Wunder said that Cammarota started the business with $500 in capital, two home stoves  and a chalkboard menu. At the time, meals were $9.95. The 4,679-square-foot property, built in 1750, comes fully equipped with furnishings, equipment and longstanding recipes. There's seating for 175 guests.

Wineries in transition

Sweetgrass Winery & Distillery in Union has permanently closed following a fire last September that destroyed the production facility and tasting room. The 20-year-old business, known for fruit wines and spirits, has ceased operations. Owner Keith Bodine indicated that the firm's Back River Gin brand will continue to be produced, but under contract with Mossy Ledge Distillery in Etna. In Gouldsboro, owners of Maine's oldest winery, Bartlett Maine Estate Winery, which became known in the 1980s for its vino made from wild blueberries, said they plan to retire and are seeking a buyer.

National Shutdown

Organizers are calling for a day of “no school, no work and no shopping” to force the U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) out of American cities. Some businesses plan to stay closed today, while others are taking a different approach by donating proceeds. Izakaya Minato at 54 Washington Ave. in Portland said via social media that Minato will be closed today for the nationwide strike.  "The time to show up and support our immigrant friends, neighbors and colleagues is now," said the owners in the post. "We hope you will join us in protest & support, we are stronger together." Ri Ra, also in Portland along Commercial Street, said via Facebook that "closing in January isn't easy, but this decision was clear. We are standing with our community. Friday is one of the most important winter shifts and we are proud of our staff. Everyone scheduled that night chose to support the community together. Bayside Bowl said it will donate 10% of all sales to Maine Immigrant Refugee Services. Mini Bar also said it will donate $5 to the Maine Solidarity Fund for every round of mini golf purchased on Friday and will collect donations for Maine Needs. Here is a list of some of the restaurants that are taking part in the shutdown:

• Night Mares
• Bread & Friends
• Cocktail Mary
• Another Round
• Hardshore Distillery
• Magissa
• The Jewel Box
• Tendem Coffee Roasters
• Flatiron Coffee
• Cheese Louise
• The Perfect Cup
• Sissle & Daughters
• Second Rodeo Coffee
• Friends & Family
• Union Bagel Co.
• Speckled Ax
• Oun Lidos
• Cuties
• Mr. Tuna
• Duckfat
• Highroller Lobster Co.
• Mainely Noods
• Novare Res Bier Cafe
• Arcadia
• Onggi Market & Cafe Co.
• Maine & Loire
• Shays Grill Pub
• Hennys
• Anoche
• Bunker Brewing Co.
• LB Kitchen
• Table Bar
• Crooked Spoon
• Lemon Bar
• Higher Grounds
• Benny's
• Matcha Mood
• The Alna Store
• Smalls
• Central Provisions
• Orange Bike Brewing
• Bard Coffee
• Hunt & Alpine
• Palace Diner

Reader Feedback

What spots never fall out of your rotation, and how are they evolving to keep you coming back? The Mainebiz Food Insider wants to hear from you! Contact Alexis Wells at awells@mainebiz.biz.