Historic Freeport pub closes abruptly
Freeport's historic Jameson Tavern, opened in 1801 by Samuel Jameson and billed as the "Birthplace of Maine," has closed abruptly as its owners continue to await new investment funds.
The Bangor Daily News reported that the historic pub and restaurant built in 1799 closed Friday with a sign indicating it is closed "until further notice."
The 7,782-square-foot building is listed for sale with Cardente Real Estate for $1.85 million.
Updated, 8:55 p.m.: Matthew Cardente, owner of Cardente Real Estate, told Mainebiz that the temporary closure was a result of financial challenges that come after investments to renovate the building and a tough season for the restaurant business.
Cardente said there are now two options for the property: that an investor takes over and leases the space back to continue operation under the current owner, John Stiles, or that a new owner and operator takes over the building and restaurant.
In the last year, Cardente said the business has undergone a repositioning as it brought in textile manufacturer Brahms Mount to the space and converted to natural gas to reduce operating costs for the business. But those investments to reposition the property last fall involved costly renovations and appreciation from those investments did not come in time to stave off the closure this month, Cardente said.
"It's a sad story. It would have been a great story if it was just a couple months later and the tourist traffic started coming back into Freeport," Cardente said, referring to the larger volume of customers frequenting Freeport restaurants in the summer season.
"We would have had two classic Maine operations in town," Cardente said, referring to tenant Brahms Mount.
However, Cardente said he's confident that an investor or new owner will emerge to take on ownership of the building and that a restaurant — under John Stiles or a new owner — will continue to operate there, based on increases he has seen in real estate market activity and investment in the last year.
Cardente said the temporary closure of the Jameson Tavern does not affect the lease with Brahms Mount.
Recently, Cardente said he reduced the listing's asking price from $2 million to $1.85 million for the property adjacent to L.L. Bean's flagship store.
Stiles has operated the historic tavern and pub for 31 years.
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