Sprague’s, Red’s Eats food stands standing by to open
Tue, 04/07/2020 - 8:30am
Tuesday, April 7. SUSAN JOHNS/Wiscasset Newspaper
The sun rises behind Sprague’s Lobster Tuesday, April 7. SUSAN JOHNS/Wiscasset Newspaper
Normally, Red’s Eats and Sprague’s Lobster are almost open now. But in the coronavirus spring, their owners do not know when the food stands on opposite sides of Route 1 in Wiscasset will start their seasons.
Red’s Eats’ Facebook page announced plans Feb. 21 for an April 20 opening, weather permitting. Then on March 27, a post read: “Many are asking and we are trying to stay very positive ... but due to COVID-19, we have to take things day by day. Please stay tuned for our 2020 opening date. Everyone stay safe and stay well.”
“This says it,” co-owner Debbie Gagnon said in an email reply Monday about the post. “Let's all try to stay positive,” she added. “Stay safe. Stay well. Follow the CDC guidelines. I will be in touch with our 2020 opening date as soon as it is feasible.”
Comments on the post included Bonnie DeHahn Massengale’s sharing colleagues’ joking “with affection” that if customers were six feet apart, the line would stretch across the bridge. “Love Red’s and can’t wait!”
Sprague’s Lobster owner Frank Sprague also had no opening date yet. “We’re all licensed up and ready to roll, but I don’t know what’s going to happen, boy, this is an awful situation here. I really don’t know when we can open,” but they will be getting ready, Sprague said in a phone interview Saturday.
“It’s a guessing game, at this point ... Hopefully, there will be a season,” he added. The business has been on the waterfront 31 years. “And never faced anything like this. Ever,” he said.
