Zippys may not re-open this spring

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Has Zippy’s sold its last chili dog in the Shiretown?
    Possibly. Zippy’s owner Mike Hurley announced Sunday afternoon that he has a potential buyer for the seasonal snack shack that specializes in burgers, fries, gourmet hot dogs and other food items.
    “As you may know the Temple Theatre and Zippy’s are currently listed for sale,” Hurley said. “When we first revived the Temple back in 2002, we wanted to build a business that a local person would take over. We expect that to happen soon. Five years ago we started Zippy’s and it has been a very happy and successful addition to Houlton.”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
UP FOR SALE — Zippys snack shack is up for sale and has a potential buyer in the Midcoast. Owner Mike Hurley is also offering the business for sale to those in the Shiretown, in hopes it will stay in the Houlton area.
    Last week, Hurley said he received an offer to purchase Zippy’s and move it south to new quarters on the coast.
    “Before we accept that offer we are letting people know that Zippy’s is for sale as is where is,” he said. “We’d be more than happy to sell it locally and have it operated right where it is.”
    Hurley said the business is for sale at $45,000. The sale includes all of the equipment and recipes to hit the ground running. However it does not include land, so any new owner would have to negotiate a lease to include parking, water, sewer, electric and garbage removal.
    “We determined after last season that we wanted to focus our energies on running and expanding the Temple Theatre,” he said. “We have plans to add more screens so that we can show more movies.”
    If a local buyer is not found, Hurley said a move would be imminent.
    “The bad news is that we will not be re-opening Zippy’s and that it very likely will head south,” he said. “The good news is we had great food, great customers, and a great time making Zippy’s part of Houlton and sharing those meals, afternoons, and evenings with you. And who knows? Maybe a new owner will keep Zippy’s cooking.”
    For more information, contact Hurley at mike@pilut.com, 338-1975 or 323-0881.