Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 21 A P R I L 1 8 , 2 0 2 2 F O C U S H O S P I TA L I T Y / T O U R I S M House Island is designated as a historic district, which means that Portland's Preservation Board must review any improvements before they go forward. Drive-in revival e Aquaboggan Water Park in Saco plans to relocate and reopen the Saco Drive-In at the water park this sum- mer, saving the theater and giving it a new home after more than 80 years in operation. e water park announced on its Facebook page that it's work- ing on securing city permits that would allow it to soon open the Saco Drive-In at Aquaboggan. e water park and drive-in are located across from one another on U.S. Route 1. e hope is to have it up and open this summer, the general manager of the Aquaboggan Water Park told Mainebiz. Plans call for the drive-in screen to take over a field that is now used for overflow parking. e screen is expected face the water park and the parking area and there will be space for up to 250 cars. Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel, a truck and trailer dealership in Portland, acquired the Saco Drive-In prop- erty from Biddeford-based Roberge Construction Inc. Hale Trailer is giv- ing the drive-in's iconic sign and the fountain to the Aquaboggan. e Saco Drive-in opened in 1939. e other drive-ins in Maine are located in Westbrook, Bridgton, Skowhegan, Farmington, Hermon and Madawaska. In 2013, the Saco Drive-In along with drive-in theaters nationwide faced closure with the conversion to digital projection systems. Saco and the surrounding community helped raise money for the drive-in and it also won a national contest to get a new digital projection system. Moving into the fast lane Sunday River resort will begin install- ing an 8-person chairlift touted as the fastest of its kind in North America to be ready for the 2022-23 ski season. e investment in the lift, a Doppelmayr D Lift with heated seats and bubble covers, is part of Sunday River 2030, a 10-year growth initiative focused on building new infrastruc- ture, year-round business, and reach- ing a net-zero carbon impact. Other improvements include the implementation of radio frequency identification technology; snowmak- ing, real estate development; reno- vation of its conference center, and new attractions designed to attract visitors in the summer. Sunday River is owned by Michigan-based Boyne Resorts, which also owns Sugarloaf and Shawnee Peak. Cocktails-to-go are a 'go' through 2025 Gov. Janet Mills signed legislation that allows restaurants and bars to offer alcoholic beverages-to-go until at least March 30, 2025. e legislation, originally allowed by an executive order in the early days of the pandemic to help bars and res- taurants, extends provisions that were previously set to expire this year. Jay Hibbard, vice president of state govern- ment relations for the Distilled Spirits Council, said that the extension would provide much-needed stability as local restaurants, bars and distilleries. So far, 18 states have passed legislation to make cocktails-to-go permanent. Portland | Kennebunk | Biddeford www.perkinsthompson.com It takes more than a great menu to make a successful restaurant or bar. Our attorneys help navigate complex hospitality and service industry regulations. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F S A C O D R I V E - I N P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F L E G A C Y P RO P E R T I E S S O T H E B Y ' S I N T E R N AT I O N A L R E A LT Y The Aquaboggan Water Park in Saco plans to relocate and reopen the Saco Drive-In at the water park this summer, saving the theater and giving it a new home after more than 80 years in operation. The team behind the Chebeague Island Inn, EVO Kitchen + Bar, and the redevelopment of the former Portland Co. site has bought the northern half of House Island in Portland Harbor for $5.35 million.

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