Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – What appeared to be a pleasant gathering of two families last week at Governor’s restaurant in Presque Isle was actually a business meeting.
“We’re here to re-sign our franchise agreement with the company’s founder,” said Tony Sullivan as he and his wife, Sherry Sullivan, owners of the Main Street eatery, sat talking business with Leith Wadleigh, Governor’s founder, and his son, Randy Wadleigh, last Wednesday.
The event marked the 10-year anniversary of Governor’s arrival in Aroostook County.
“We signed the franchise agreement Jan. 31. To celebrate, we ran specials all week,” said Sherry Sullivan.
Tony recalled opening day was similar to this year’s anniversary. “It was a day not unlike today (Jan. 31); it was freezing cold out. We had a line out the door and couldn’t keep the door closed. We were pretty busy and still are,” said Tony.
The couple divide their attention between their Presque Isle facility and one in Houlton.
Governor’s was founded 47 years ago by Leith Wadleigh and his wife, Donna. In the beginning, the couple served ice cream.
“We opened a business with $300 called Cree-mee and operated it under that name between 1960 and 1961. The name ‘Governor’s’ came about because I’m not good at remembering names. I’d greet regular customers with, ‘How are you today, Governor?’ So that’s how the name came about,” said Leith Wadleigh.
Wadleigh said in the beginning, his wife served as hostess while he ran the kitchen.
“She was great up front and can cook too. But I had to do something, so I managed the kitchen, even though I’m not what you could call a cook,” laughed Wadleigh. “I’m a great warmer-upper.”
Governor’s character, complete with top hat, came about after Wadleigh read a magazine article.
“I read in “Newsweek” that cartoonists have power – that folks remember cartoon characters. Our Governor had a cigar until my granddaughters questioned why, if their grampy didn’t smoke, the character did. So we did away with the cigar,” said Wadleigh.
The Presque Isle and Houlton branches are two of only three Governor’s franchises. The third is run by a former cook in Lewiston. Wadleigh said the Sullivans remind him of he and his wife and he liked the idea of having a family operating franchises.
“The Sullivans are great people. This is a family-oriented restaurant, with home-style recipes used for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Many are recipes my grandmother used,” said Wadleigh.
What isn’t made right on the spot comes often from other small businesses, like the hot fudge topping.
“We get our hot fudge topping from a small company in Minneapolis. We like to work with small businesses as much as we can,” he continued.
Now retired, Wadleigh has more time for visiting his six grandchildren and spending time with his wife.
“I was fired by my son (Randy). Now I’ve been demoted to conductor in charge of the trains,” said Wadleigh, grinning as he looked at his son. “I now have more time for hobbies, including my tropical fish.”
Wadleigh indicated it was probably a good thing to be retired, since he had a fondness for eating and being around a restaurant made self-control difficult.
“The hard part was really being around the bread smell. I couldn’t handle it,” he said.
This wasn’t the first time Wadleigh has been to the Presque Isle area and probably won’t be his last.
“I love Presque Isle. We used to come up for the Potato Blossom Festival – brought the grandchildren. Aroostook may seem isolated to some, but it has all the services one could ask for,” said Wadleigh.
When not spending time at home in the Old Town area, the Wadleighs travel to Florida.
“We do go to Florida part of the winter, but I come home one week a month. You can take the boy out of the state but you can’t take the state out of the boy,” said Wadleigh.
Agreeing to allow franchises wasn’t an easy decision to make, but Wadleigh said the three currently operating are doing well and he’s pleased.
“As the founder, I just had to close my eyes. As long as they’re clean, busy and stick with homemade items – don’t change recipes – it’s fine with me,” said Wadleigh. “The Sullivans are doing a fine job and the place stays busy, so I’m happy. They’re good people doing a great job.”
In addition to the Presque Isle, Houlton and Lewiston franchises, Governor’s operates facilities in Old Town, Bangor, Waterville and South Portland. For more information on the Presque Isle branch, contact 769-2274.
