Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.
A Lewiston native is getting her long-awaited Maine homecoming, and it's happening through the purchase of an iconic restaurant: Cook's Lobster House in Harpswell.
Jennifer Dube Charboneau and her husband, Nick, purchased the 5,320-square-foot restaurant, just over the Cribstone Bridge on Bailey Island, for $1.25 million. They bought it under the company name Cook's Real Estate LLC from Norman Curtis Parent, the restaurant's second owner. The deal closed June 30, and it was brokered by John Doyon of Malone Commercial Brokers, which had been marketing the property for several months.
The deal was made possible by a combination of the Charboneau's own equity and financing from the U.S. Small Business Administration, Androscoggin Bank and a local investor, who Charboneau declined to name but said that he went to college with Nick.
Charboneau, who grew up in Lewiston, told Mainebiz on Monday that she and Nick plan to change the restaurant's name to "Cook's Lobster & Ale House." The name change represents the married couple's desire to maintain some of the restaurant's traditions while making some changes in an effort to rejuvenate the restaurant's business, which had been waning in the past few years.
"This community loves Cook’s Lobster House. It’s a part of their history," Charboneau said of the 60-year-old restaurant. "... We came in thinking our changes will still have a lot of the same charm but more modern — but we realized a lot of people love it the way it is."
The two largest planned changes include an expansion of the restaurant's outdoor deck and the build-out of a full bar that will put an emphasis on the growing popularity of craft beer, Charboneau said. But because of a busy season this year, she added, those additions likely won't be ready until next year. Other planned changes include a paint job for the building's exterior, new flooring and other renovations. The Charboneaus are also planning to make some changes to the menu and pricing.
But it's not just the building that will see changes: the business model is getting some tweaks too. Charboneau said she is planning to use her expertise in event and conference planning to market Cook's Lobster House as a destination for events of all kinds, promoting the restaurant's dining rooms, outdoor deck and picturesque surroundings as the main draw.
"It's the quintessential Maine experience people look for," Charboneau said.
Charboneau said the story of how she and her husband ended up buying the restaurant is a bit of a long story, but it goes like this: Charboneau moves to Vermont for college, meets Nick and settles down with him there to start a family; after running Mexicali Grill & Cantina in Williston, a town southeast of Burlington, for 15 years, Charboneau's wish to move back to Maine is met with one stipulation from Nick — to buy a new restaurant in Maine that they can call their new home.
Charboneau said she and Nick were at first nervous about prospects of becoming the new owners of a beloved restaurant in a tight-knit community. But, she said, they very quickly learned about how supportful Harpswell's community is, with locals coming in to say hi and restaurant staff showing renewed energy. A lady even came in once and offered to babysit the Charboneau's children.
"We've been humbled by the love and support we receive from this community," Charboneau said. "Total strangers have come up and thanked us, saying they're glad someone’s here to bring this place back to life."
This story was originally published in the Mainebiz Real Estate Insider.
The Giving Guide helps nonprofits have the opportunity to showcase and differentiate their organizations so that businesses better understand how they can contribute to a nonprofit’s mission and work.
Learn MoreWork for ME is a workforce development tool to help Maine’s employers target Maine’s emerging workforce. Work for ME highlights each industry, its impact on Maine’s economy, the jobs available to entry-level workers, the training and education needed to get a career started.
Learn MoreFew people are adequately prepared for all the tasks involved in planning and providing care for aging family members. SeniorSmart provides an essential road map for navigating the process. This resource guide explores the myriad of care options and offers essential information on topics ranging from self-care to legal and financial preparedness.
Learn moreThe Giving Guide helps nonprofits have the opportunity to showcase and differentiate their organizations so that businesses better understand how they can contribute to a nonprofit’s mission and work.
Work for ME is a workforce development tool to help Maine’s employers target Maine’s emerging workforce. Work for ME highlights each industry, its impact on Maine’s economy, the jobs available to entry-level workers, the training and education needed to get a career started.
Few people are adequately prepared for all the tasks involved in planning and providing care for aging family members. SeniorSmart provides an essential road map for navigating the process. This resource guide explores the myriad of care options and offers essential information on topics ranging from self-care to legal and financial preparedness.
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Our privacy policy
To ensure the best experience on our website, articles cannot be read without allowing cookies. Please allow cookies to continue reading. Our privacy policy
Comments