The Maine Diner in Wells may be a classic American diner, with its vintage decor, cream-and-blue interior, laminated menus and low-priced comfort food.
Founded in 1960, the Maine Diner is a Route 1 landmark that has even been featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."
The Maine Diner is located at 2265 Post Road in Wells.
It still offers that classic diner feel — and today the owner is seeking someone to carry on the business and keep the tradition alive.
Third owner Jim MacNeill told Mainebiz that after nearly 30 years, it was time to move on. The Maine Diner and adjacent gift shop have been listed for $3.3 million by Portland-based Daigle Commercial Group.
"I purchased it from Dick Henry when he decided to retire in 2018," said MacNeill. "It made sense for me to buy it as I had been running it anyway. It was also job security since a potential new owner probably would not have wanted to maintain my salary. I had always wanted to retire at 60 and wanted to enjoy myself and spend time with my family."
The interior of the Maine Diner in Wells. PHOTO / JIM NEUGER
About the diner
The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, featuring signature Down East dishes such as lobster pie and seafood chowder, complemented by seasonal produce from its on-site garden. Summer traffic generates peak volumes.
Daily specials at the Maine Diner in Wells. PHOTO / JIM NEUGER
The adjacent Gift Shop extends the brand into retail, offering apparel, packaged goods and Maine-made products, both in-store and online. In addition, a nationwide shipping program for signature menu items.
The future
As for the future of the space, MacNeill hopes that any new owner would keep everything as is and also continue the Maine Diner brand.
"The diner is recognized nationally and there are growth opportunities present," said MacNeill. "We have shipped our food, fresh via overnight shipping, to all but 5 states. It is an area for more growth. It is also my opinion that we have some popular enough items with the Maine Diner brand that we could be represented in grocery stores throughout New England."
Branded merch for sale at the Remember the Maine gift shop, next to the Maine Diner. PHOTO / JIM NEUGER
MacNeill said he is willing to assist a new Maine Diner owner in realizing his vision for the diner's growth, including getting the Maine Diner brand's foods into grocery stores, such as cod cakes and lobster pies.
"I am not just selling a restaurant, I am selling a brand that grew from a restaurant," said MacNeill.
"The diner has been a big part of my life," he continues. "I have my personal family, my diner family of co-workers and my extended family of customers that I have grown to love."
The history of American diners
The concept of diners began in 1872, when Walter Scott, a Rhode Island entrepreneur, repurposed a horse-drawn "lunch wagon" to serve cheap, quick sandwiches, coffee, pies and eggs to workers late at night when regular restaurants were closed.
This concept later evolved from mobile wagons to stationary, pre-fabricated buildings inspired by train cars and stayed open 24 hours. This design led to the name change from "lunch car" to "dining car."
Maine has several diners, including Palace Diner in Biddeford, Becky's Diner in Portland, Miss Portland Diner, A1 Diner in Gardiner, Brunswick Diner and Moody's Diner in Waldoboro, to name a few.
Reader Feedback
What new restaurants in other parts of the state should be on our radar? The Mainebiz Food Insider wants to hear from you! Contact Alexis Wells at awells@mainebiz.biz.
