By Charlotte Boynton
Tony Bickford cuts the ribbon during a ceremony at Little Village Bistro Friday, April 17. Front from left: Pat Cloudier, Cheryl Rust, bistro owners Cassandra and Tony Bickford, and Wiscasset Selectman Pam Dunning. (Charlotte Boynton photo) |
Le Garage Restaurant owner Cheryl Rust greets Cassandra Bickford with a hug at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Little Village Bistro Friday, April 17. (Charlotte Boynton photo) |
The Little Village Bistro opened its doors for business Friday, April 17. Town officials had a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 65 Gardiner Road to welcome Tony and Cassandra
Bickford’s new business to town the same day.
The ribbon-cutting was attended by local business owners, representatives of the Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce, selectmen, the town planner, town manager, and
others.
Wiscasset Board of Selectmen Chair Pam Dunning welcomed the Bickfords to town and wished them well in their new endeavor. “We are very glad that you are here in
Wiscasset,” Dunning said.
“We are glad to be here,” Tony Bickford said. “We would like people to stop in to see us and enjoy some good food.”
The Bickfords welcomed their guests to their establishment and thanked everyone in attendance for their support.
Tony Bickford was the executive chef at The Thistle Inn in Boothbay Harbor when he announced he would be opening his own restaurant in Wiscasset, giving up his
position at The Thistle Inn.
The Bickfords are Wiscasset natives. They were high school sweethearts and will celebrate their eighth wedding anniversary this year. The couple have two daughters,
Charlotte and Isla. The Bickfords are a busy couple. Cassandra Bickford will graduate from Central Maine Community College in June and start a career in nursing.
The Bickfords have worked side by side in getting the Bistro ready to open. The interior of the restaurant has been completely renovated by Tony Bickford, with the
help of Cassandra Bickford, who sewed and made all the cushions that surround the seating in the dining room.
“This is something that I have always wanted to do – have the privilege of cooking for the people in my hometown,” Tony Bickford said.
“This is a vision that really came to life for us,” Cassandra Bickford said after the ribbon-cutting.
The Little Village Bistro is open Tuesday through Saturday with lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner from 5-9 p.m. The Bickfords encourage people to check out the
bistro’s Facebook page to view the menu and reviews from customers. Reservations can be made by calling 687-8232.