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The Roost, downtown Orono’s new wingery, is the third restaurant to occupy the space at 19 Mill St. in the past five years. According to the restaurant’s owner, business has been steady in the month since its Jan. 16 opening.
Jim and Valerie Coleman, who have lived in Orono for seven years, decided to open The Roost after the couple noticed a hole in the area’s food offerings.
“For the last 40 or so years, pizza has been five of the top 10 franchises nationwide. At this point in time, but not in Maine, chicken wings are five of the top 10,” Coleman said, adding that the closest wingery is in Portland.
The Roost features 10 different flavors of wings, including original buffalo, teriyaki, bourbon, barbecue and orange chipotle.
A veteran in the restaurant and bar business for 25 years, Coleman said he decided to open a restaurant that features chicken wings and caters to locals with pub food. The Roost’s menu features appetizers, wings, soups, salads, deli sandwiches, burgers, steaks and desserts.
The Roost occupies the space that was formerly The Sports Café, owned by Michael J. Macioci, which closed last July after a nearly two-year run. According to Coleman, the previous pub shut down because Macioci was trying to do fine dining, which didn’t work in Orono.
“Entrées that are $11-$12, that won’t work here,” Coleman said.
Before The Sports Café occupied the space, it was The Blues Café, operated by Frank Williams, who opened the caféin 2005. After Williams died, his son ran the bar before selling the business, according to Wanda Thomas, Orono Town Clerk.
Prior to 2005, the space was an empty basement, according to Thomas. She said Williams invested a lot of time preparing the space to house a restaurant.
Coleman is confident his business will survive when others haven’t because he has popular, affordable products.
“The menu is so affordable that you’d almost be foolish not to eat here,” Coleman said. “Half the menu is $6 or less.”
According to Coleman, the first night was chaotic, as his staff opened unexpectedly without him.
“‘You opened without me?’” Colman recalled asking his staff. “I asked how many people are in there, and they said 28.” Coleman said by the end of the night, there were 50 people in his restaurant.
“We’re doing much more business than I thought we would,” Coleman said.
Coleman said The Roost would begin delivering to campus within the next week. Customers who buy a bucket of wings will receive a free two-liter soda. The Roost is collaborating with Black Bear Brewing and will offer one beer on special every day for $1-$2. The proprietor said The Roost would open a function room soon, seating 35 people. The Roost is open 4 p.m. to 1 a.m., Monday through Sunday.
