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Anchor Inn bartender Linda Whitebear sets up the bar for the Round Pond landmark’s 27th opening day May 9. (Tim Badgley photo) |
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By Tim Badgley
Round Pond landmark the Anchor Inn will open for its final season under restaurateurs Rick Hirsch and Jean Kerrigan. Both confirmed that this, their 27th season running the
establishment, will be their last.
“We’re running it the same as we ever did,” Hirsch said. “We will not be ignoring the place because it’s our last season.”
Kerrigan and Hirsch said they were informed verbally by their landlord, Renbro, a division of R.H. Reny Inc., their lease will not be renewed.
Asked for comment, R.H. Reny President John Reny said some Reny family members plan to operate the restaurant next season.
Reny said that Rick and Jean have done a tremendous job at the Anchor Inn. “They have been wonderful tenants,” he said.
Hirsch and Kerrigan will continue their tradition of opening Mother’s Day weekend. Doors open at 5 p.m. Friday, May 9, and 5 p.m. Saturday May 10.
“We’ll be open all day Mother’s Day, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., May 11,” Kerrigan said. “As always moms will get a complimentary dessert with their meal.”
Similar hours will be kept the following weekend, May 16 to 18. “On Friday, May 23, we’ll be open seven days a week,” Kerrigan said. The restaurant will open daily at 11:30 a.m.
for lunch and dinner.
The menu will remain essentially the same with all the favorites along with some new seasonal items and specials, according to Kerrigan.
The Anchor Inn will also have the “same great crew,” Hirsch said.
“Business as usual for this season,” said Hirsch. “Same great menu and the fresh food guests have been accustomed to for the past 26 years.”
Although their time at the Anchor Inn is coming to a close, Kerrigan said she and her husband are dedicated to creating the same high-quality dining experience their guests have
received in the past.
“We’re really trying to make sure that we still offer our guests the same wonderful experience, even though it’s our last season,” Kerrigan said.
Hirsch said he and his wife know how upset their customers are about their leaving Anchor Inn. Last week Jean told him she is realizing she is going to have to spend a lot of
time consoling everybody else, Hirsch said. “It’s an interesting realization,” he said.
Although closing their Round Pond operation, Kerrigan and Hirsch said they are definitely not retiring. They still plan to own and operate the Damariscotta River Grill, at 155
Main St., Damariscotta for the foreseeable future.
As Hirsch and Kerrigan go into their final season at the Anchor Inn, they intend to maintain an upbeat attitude.
“I want this to be a positive for us,” Kerrigan said. “Whatever is decided with the Anchor Inn building, Rick and I are going to be putting a positive spin on it.”
