SMYRNA, Maine — Does history repeat itself? It might at Smyrna’s Brookside Inn.
In 1993, 42-year-old Carl Watson was looking for a career change that would give him more family time.
“Carl was a full-time truck driver when we bought the Brookside,” said Carl’s wife Carmel Watson. “He wanted to be home with the kids more.”
Nearly 25 years later, the Watsons 41-year-old son Damian, a sales and marketing rep, was living in Texas with his wife Faith and their three children when he also started looking for a more family-friendly career.
“Damian traveled a lot with his other job,” said Faith. “And we had been looking for an opportunity that would let him be at home more.”
It just so happens, Damian and his dad share pretty similar views on what a good opportunity looks like.
Damian and Faith officially became Brookside’s new owners earlier this month.
This change came as a surprise to Carl Watson, who said he never really expected his son to be interested in the restaurant business.
“When I heard that Damian was interested, it took us completely off guard,” said Carl. “[Damian and I] talked a little more and then, he came up to visit in July or August. I wasn’t trying to discourage him, but I tried to tell him everything that was involved. A couple weeks later, he said he was going to do it.”
Carl added that initially he had planned to retire from the business when he hit 70.
Carl Watson, left, and his son Damian cook up some breakfast specials in the kitchen at Smyrna’s Brookside Inn. Carl, who bought Brookside in 1993 with his wife Carmel, recently sold the business to Damian and his wife Faith, who moved up from Texas with their three children. (Sarah Berthiaume)
“We also figured that when I turn 70 in about 3 and a half years, I might not be able to find a buyer. So, we figured if we had a fish on the hook right now, we better jump on it,” he joked.
Even though Damian’s been living out of state for over 15 years, he doesn’t expect any problems stepping into the local business since he’s had some expert training over the years.
“Mom and Dad started me out as a dishwasher, and then one morning, I cooked my own breakfast,” he said. “That was my last day as a dishwasher.”
He’s also spent more than a few hours waiting tables.
“I never had to worry if I had a job coming back from my college breaks. I just had to worry about how many hours I wasn’t going to work,” he added with a smile.
It’s not just a change in career for the couple, though. It’s been a big change for their whole family.
“We loved Texas, but it is very far away from family. All Damian’s family is here, and all my family is in the northeast,” said Faith. “But for our kids, they were Texas kids. Texas was all they remember. They had all the friendships there, and it’s been a big change.”
One thing that’s helped make the transition easier: having their grandparents — and plenty of Brookside whoopie pies — close by.
Will this transition mean big changes for Brookside customers?
No worries, said Damian and Faith. No drastic changes are in the works.
“We’re looking forward to continuing the traditions at Brookside,” said Faith. “We’ll be keeping the family atmosphere. And any minor changes we do make, we’ll announce on our Facebook page.”
Carl and Carmel also are excited to see what the future holds for Brookside.
“Damian’s good at thinking out of the box,” added Carmel. “It’s exciting to see what they’re going to do.”
The Brookside Inn, which also includes a 9-room motel, is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day except Friday. Friday hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For more information, visit Brookside at 2277 U.S. Route 2, call 757-8456 or check them out on Facebook.
