I’d like to speak to the manager!!!
As I said we opened the doors quietly on Friday.
We were very quiet.
On Friday we posted that we were open on social media.
95% of the responses were overwhelmingly positive.
The other 5% were horrible.
The building Chef bought has has a restaurant in it since 1927.
However, for the past 20 years or so it’s been called Pier77 and The Ramp.
Upstairs fine dining was Pier 77.
Downstairs was a pub called The Ramp. It was covered in sports memorabilia, political posters and stickers. The walls were covered in signatures.
It has been a iconic bar and beloved spot to grab a burger and a beer for forever.
The original owners sold in 2016.
The folks who bought it were only interested in making money. The restaurant has a million dollar view and they charged for it. 12 dollar Allagash Beers.
They weren’t interest in the upkeep of the building. Or quality. Just revenue.
The restaurant was for sale for more than 2 years when Chef bought it.
It was listed at 3.5 million originally.
They started dropping the price last summer, until it was a reasonable price.
Chef bought it.
And since December, the building has gone through a complete renovation. Not because we wanted to but because we had to.
Nothing was up to code. Things were falling apart.
My feet stuck to the floor as I walked through the kitchen and dining room.
The floors hadn’t been swept in forever.
As the renovation started their was much discussion of what to do with the pub. Keep it as is. Removal. Rediscover.
However, two days before Xmas we had a huge nor’easter. During high tide. Around a foot of water collected in the pub.
This sealed the deal. The memorabilia had to go.
And now, you’d think we committed the crime of the century.
The locals as they refer to themselves hate us. No respect for history. Taking advantage. Outsiders.
Here’s the thing.
The new space is beautiful.
The prices are less than 2 years ago.
And yes we got rid of the memorabilia although it’s in storage as Chef looks for a buyer.
But we also got rid of the dirt. The grime.
When the kitchen walls were opened they were filled with dead rats. The construction team found rats and mice everywhere. The ceilings were filled with droppings.
There was a live raccoon that lived under the dining room floor.
Yes the pub was remodeled but now it’s safe to eat there.
And it’s sad because we don’t respond because we don’t want the fight.
Someone actually told Chef to go suck an egg.
Meanwhile the new space is stunning. It’s still a bar. The food is amazing. The service is great.
Its an improvement.
And based on Saturday and Sunday it will be very successful.
But if you wanted to go to our Facebook and instagram page and lift us up I wouldn’t say no.
PS. No. Proofreading.
It’s 3:40.
I worked 65 hours in 5 days.
I’m going to bed.
Don’t call because I won’t be up till 4:00.
I'd Like to Speak to the Manager!!! 