By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Michelle Hapgood tried to “do the right thing” by complying with the state order to restrict her restaurant operation to take-out and outdoor dining only.

A tent and picnic tables were placed in the Campfire Grille parking lot to increase seating capacity — the restaurant also has an outdoor deck area.

But, Saturday became a wash out as Mother Nature unloaded a drenching afternoon rainstorm. Relying on outdoor dining results in too much uncertainty when it comes to properly staffing and operating a business, Hapgood said.

“We’re stuck in this awful limbo,” she said. “What do I do?”

Normally, Campfire Grille has indoor seating for 150. Under current restrictions, outdoor seating is limited to 50.

With just a few short weeks to make money needed to carry the restaurant through tighter winter months, Hapgood and other businesses decided it is time to fight.

Local restaurants Campfire Grille and Morning Glory Diner, along with Olde Mill Tavern in Harrison, brought suit against the state for keeping eating establishments in Cumberland County closed to indoor dining.

Hapgood and other owners approached the Bridgton Selectboard Tuesday night asking officials to make a formal plea to Gov. Mills to “open Bridgton.”

Wearing masks, several business people spoke in-person to town officials, explaining how the situation has become dire.

“If we don’t have a summer, we might not be here in the winter,” Hapgood added.

The group argued that rather than lump Bridgton into the overall Cumberland County mix (which collectively has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the state), Gov. Mills should look at areas via zip code and the number of cases there.

They cited that when President Trump initially spoke about the country reopening, he pointed out that some rural states would open sooner than hot spot areas.

Selectman Bear Zaidman agreed. “I can look six miles to my left and six miles to my right and people have what they want,” Zaidman said referring to restaurants and other businesses are now open in neighboring Oxford County towns such as Fryeburg, Norway, Oxford and South Paris. “We can’t open the town, we don’t have legal authority, but we can strongly reiterate to the governor to do just that…Thank you folks for supporting this town.”

Lone added, “People that are uncomfortable about going to a restaurant don’t need to go. We have personal choice.

The group pointed to a recent message from Bridgton Hospital President Peter Wright that just two COVID cases surfaced here.

Selectperson Lone fully understands the financial strain business owners feel. “I had a business on Main Street years ago, and it would never have survived this,” she said.

Roseanna Richards of Tarry A While has experienced cancelations due to uncertainty that remains. The resort has wedding receptions booked in September and October, but again, they are unable to tell couples what the situation or restrictions will look like, at this point.

“There are so many things tied to it — the wedding venue, caterers, DJs, photographers. It’s a domino effect,” she said. “We know our community. Businesses will be responsible. I feel the town should be open. People want to do the right thing. Our summer is short. We have cancelations every day. It’s been an up and down rollercoaster ride. Each week, it’s something new. You get a glimmer of hope then it’s gone.”

Spyro Hronarakis of Bridgton House of Pizza says the plea to reopen is not businesses being selfish.

“We live here too,” he said. “We’re not irresponsible. We know how to conduct business in a proper manner. It’s not just a job, it’s my identity. It’s what I do.”

Beth Doonan of Beth’s Café chimed in, noting she remodeled second floor space to meet social distancing guidelines for inside dining, yet saw that effort stalled when Gov. Mills continued the shutdown due to the number of COVID-19 cases in Cumberland County.

Comments sent to the selectboard included:

• Sarah Parks — “…Most are at a critical juncture; if they don’t open soon, they won’t be able to open up period. Without these businesses, the town will fail to survive for year-round and for part-time residents…Bridgton will become a ghost town.”

• Linda Ziemnicki — “Local restaurants are fighting to stay alive…They cannot survive on take-out and outside dining alone because it is only about 10% of their regular business…I moved to Bridgton six years ago because of the small community feeling and the great people. Please fight for our town. Open Bridgton!”

• Jessica Clayton and Michael Citro — “…We all have choices to go out or stay home, wear a mask or not wear a mask. However, we feel our choices and our freedom is being taken away. We cannot allow these restaurants and businesses go under, we it to them. They have added so much to this community and they have supported this community for years. We cannot turn our backs on them, they make Bridgton what it is!”

• Kelly Moore — “…These restaurant owners have worked their whole lives to obtain what they have. Now, they don’t know if they are going to be around tomorrow…Don’t let Bridgton become a place where people drive through and say, ‘Remember when.’”

Initially, the idea was to send the letter, along with a DVD of the board meeting to Gov. Mills. But, officials decided to go a different route. They will ask local state representatives and state senators to hand deliver the items to Gov. Mills. The hope is to make it happen by Friday.

Creative solutions supported

Looking to create more outside dining, Spyro Hronarakis of Bridgton House of Pizza requested that the town close the roadway between BHOP and BreakRoom 248 that leads to the municipal parking lot. Barriers would close off the section to motorized travel, and allow BHOP to place picnic tables, either outfitted with large umbrellas or under a tent.

Hronarakis said the outside dining space will allow him to employee four more workers.

“We’re looking at creative ways to increase business and keep people employed,” he said.

Selectperson Carmen Lone applauded Hronarakis for staying open during the pandemic. “We have great entrepreneurs in this town,” Lone said.

Hronarakis will continue to work with delivery companies to bring in supplies during non-peak business times.

“We will do whatever it takes,” said Hronarakis, even if it means moving tables in the seating area to provide space for deliveries, and then moving the items back into place after.

Selectman Bear Zaidman requested that if Hronarakis decides to utilize a large tent for overhead coverage, that installers not drive metal stakes into the new asphalt there.

Because the roadway is town property, Hronarakis will need to put up liability insurance to cover usage, and he has to seek an extension of his liquor license with the operation expansion.

The board’s approval for use of the space goes to Sept. 1.

Christian Cuff, new owner of Vivo’s on Depot Street, also sought an answer to the indoor seating lockdown still in effect. But, his idea was not just about today, but about what could be down the road.

Cuff’s proposal asks the selectboard to close a portion of Depot Street — from Tasteful Things shop to the bridge — to all non-emergency thoroughfare creating space (“an open air market”) for dining, as well as spots for other vendors to sell their wares as part of a Saturday Night Market (later in the day after the Bridgton Farmers Market closes shop). Other participating businesses include Caron & Co., Tasteful Things, the Arts Center and Dog on the Porch. Renys could also join. The Tap House, however, will be open, but “will not have a street presence. They will host guests only at the rear of the building, in their patio area,” Cuff said.

Vivo’s will stop street seating at 8 p.m. Like BHOP, Vivo’s will be responsible for liability insurance coverage using the roadway, as well as a need to expand its current liquor license.

“As an alternative to a potentially disastrous reopening summer, we would like to follow the cues of other pedestrian districts in Maine (he cited Rockland and Portland) and utilize Depot Street’s unique layout to drive business back to Bridgton,” Cuff said. “This (idea) is about consumer confidence. If people don’t feel safe, they won’t come.”

Cuff said barricades will be positioned to allow a delivery truck to maneuver to unload at Renys. Other delivery trucks servicing Vivo’s will use the municipal parking lot and cart items to the restaurant.

Sidewalks will remain clear for foot traffic.

Selectman Zaidman questioned whether adequate access would be available for firefighters. Fire Chief Tom Harriman pointed out that the ladder truck is unable to cross the bridge over Stevens Brook due to weight capacity. Harriman felt comfortable with the proposal.

Board Chairman Lee Eastman liked the idea, having experienced similar set-ups in South Beach.

“It is a really enjoyable atmosphere. It makes the place look alive,” he said. “I like it. Let’s try it.”

The board approved the plan tacking an expiration date of Sept. 1.