HOULTON, Maine — A taste unique to southern Maine will soon be coming to the Shiretown.
Amato’s, an Italian sandwich, pasta and pizza eatery founded in Portland back in 1902, is coming to Houlton.
Micah and Jessica Desmond of Presque Isle are expanding Amato’s in the County and hope to have Houlton’s location up and running by mid-May.
“We’re excited to open down there,” Micah Desmond said. “I think Houlton is another one of those towns that can pull from all of the other small communities, as well as the shoppers coming from Canada. It’s a diamond in the rough and a great opportunity for us.”
Opening a restaurant in Houlton has been on his radar for some time.
“I’ve been looking for a spot here in Houlton since November,” Micah said. “It’s all about location. It took us six months to find the right spot in Presque Isle.”
The Presque Isle store is located on Main Street near the Academy Street intersection.
Located in the former KFC restaurant on the North Road, Amato’s new eatery will cover about 2,200 square feet. Choosing the location was a no-brainer, Micah said.
“The building was set for a restaurant and the size and location were key to making Amato’s a success,” he said. “I like that it is near the Interstate and on the road leading to the downtown area of Houlton.”
He admitted that the location was not without some concerns, because traffic flow out of the lot can sometimes be tricky. Micah said an alternative path for traffic might be in the works.
“I am hoping that people will enjoy the food enough that traffic won’t be a concern for them,” he said.
Although the site has a drive-up window, there are no immediate plans to utilize this feature.
“However, we would like to follow the Amato’s in Biddeford and use the drive-up window for pickup orders once we get established and get through the opening,” he added.
Amato’s will have a booth at the Southern Aroostook Trade Show in Houlton this weekend, offering food, desserts and menus.
The Desmonds will be doing some interior renovations to the building. Seating for about 45 people is included in the renovation plans. About 15 full- and part-time employees will be hired. Training for the new staff will take place at the Presque Isle store to give the employees a feel for what the lunch and dinner rush is all about, Micah said. He plans to serve as the store manager for at least the first six months.
Catering services are also included in the Amato’s business model and Desmond said that will not change with the Houlton store.
The Desmonds have operated the Presque Isle Amato’s for one year. Amato’s has multiple locations throughout southern Maine as well as New Hampshire, Vermont and New York.
For more information on Amato’s restaurants, visit www.amatos.com
