Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 9 O C T O B E R 2 1 , 2 0 2 4 B R I E F Building your business? Talk to your neighbor. Since 1852, Bath Savings has been investing in the people, communities, and businesses that make Maine the place we're proud to call home. Our lenders are your neighbors — they shop in your downtown, coach your kids, volunteer in your community, and understand your local economy. Contact us today to learn more about custom lending solutions tailored to suit your needs. 1-800-447-4559 | bathsavings.bank MEMBER FDIC EQUAL HOUSING LENDER Becky Lizotte Principal, Doten's Construction James Perkolidis Vice President, Bath Savings Muddy Rudder the latest Yarmouth restaurant to call it quits B y A l e x i s W e l l s I t has been a rough couple of months for Yarmouth's restaurant scene. Thoroughfare, a burger joint, and the Garrison, a high-end restaurant, have closed. Now the Muddy Rudder, a Yarmouth seafood res- taurant that dates to 1976, has closed as of Oct. 3. In a social media post, owner Michael Kessock said "the Rudder" — a nickname local residents gave it — "was not just a place to serve food and drink; it was a place of human connection. Our guests and crew alike shared many memories that I will never forget." Kessock bought the restaurant, on U.S. Route 1 near the Freeport town line, in 2011. "The biggest thank you for the last 13 years," he continued. "It has truly changed my life. You made a man's dream come true and for that, I will be forever grateful. Although my heart is broken, it is also over- flowing with gratitude." Rudder patrons and others expressed sorrow online about the closure, with many sharing memories of the restaurant as a gathering spot for the town of 8,500, a suburb of Portland. The 250-seat restaurant was soon listed for sale, with an asking price of $1.4 million. Other closures Chef Christian Hayes has faced similar difficult busi- ness decisions, closing three other Yarmouth busi- nesses recently. After shuttering the Garrison two months ago, Hayes announced on his social media page that he has also closed his Main Street burger restaurant Thoroughfare and the adjacent Dandy's Handy Store. Hayes said the shut-downs became necessary when the businesses couldn't make payroll. "As the global pandemic passed, the slow realiza- tion that the roaring 20's of the hospitality industry that we all hoped for so desperately simply wasn't going to manifest in the way we wanted it to," said Hayes. "Real estate, cost of goods, cost of labor, shortage of labor, utilities, supply chain, cost of living for the communities around us and our employees — they are contributing to a massive storm that is relying on this antiquated ecosystem of a business model that will be the death of this industry as we know it," he continued. When Hayes announced in July that he was clos- ing the Garrison, located in the former Sparhawk Mill in Yarmouth, he also cited money problems. The Garrison will now be available for rent for private events and popups. As for what the future holds, Hayes said he plans to focus on his Dandelion Catering business, which has been operating for 16 years. "The clarity that is gained from this forceful downsiz- ing is allowing us to focus on repairing everything around us and finding focus in each day forward," he said. The town of Yarmouth's community and economic development director, Tori Hill, said in a statement to Mainebiz, "The town was incredibly disappointed to hear about the recent unanticipated closings of the Garrison, Thoroughfare and the Muddy Rudder. "These establishments, along with all of Yarmouth's restaurants, weren't just places to eat; they were gathering spots that fostered connections, celebrated local culinary creativity, and built community. These closures raise important questions about the chal- lenges facing the restaurant industry, particularly in today's economic climate. Many establishments are still grappling with the aftereffects of the pandemic, rising costs and shifting consumer habits." P H O T O / P E T E R VA N A L L E N The Muddy Rudder is located at 1335 U.S. Route 1 in Yarmouth.

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