Bangor restaurant J.B. Parker’s closes as owner seeks buyer

BANGOR – J.B. Parker’s Fine Dining on Center Street is closed for the month of August while its owner tries to find a buyer for the restaurant.

Owner Brian Ross of Bangor is closing the restaurant because he said he would like to try something new in his career.

The chef and owner has decided to take on new positions as an instructor in culinary arts at Eastern Maine Community College and as a development chef for Bangor Airport Food Services Inc., providing specialty meals for the company.

Ross, 42, has already worked with the catering company to create frozen foods for Air Canada, a first for first-class air travel. He has also developed diabetic and vegan meals and plans to do some catering as well.

“I’ve always made it a point in my working career to do something different,” he said.

The catalyst for Ross’ decision to close the restaurant was that business had been slower than usual.

“The economic climate is not conducive for fine dining,” he said. “Ever since the war [in Iraq], people have been staying home. They never came back like they did after September 11.”

No serious buyers have approached Ross for the restaurant, but the restaurant has been for sale only for the past few days. Ross hopes that whoever buys the restaurant will continue it as J.B. Parker’s.

“I would love to have someone come in and continue what we’ve worked hard on for the last few years,” he said.

J.B. Parker’s opened March 17, 2000, and provided upscale American cuisine for its customers, primarily seafood dishes.

Ross said that most of the staff will be absorbed into other local restaurants. Three-quarters of the dozen staff members have been at the restaurant since it opened.

“We’re like a little family,” Ross said. “It’s a good group.”

Ross is optimistic the restaurant will be sold by the end of August.

“I don’t want to close it completely,” he said. “Someone could come in tomorrow, and J.B.’s could be open next weekend.”

Ross plans to sell food from J.B. Parker’s at the National Folk Festival this year.