Protesters continue supporting Kittery restaurateur

KITTERY – Protesters plan to line up along busy U.S. Route 1 for the second Saturday in a row to show where they stand in a legal battle involving the owner of Bob’s Clam Hut and the founder of the Weathervane chain of seafood restaurants.

The picketing in this New Hampshire border town, a mecca for outlet shoppers and home to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, is an outgrowth of a zoning battle that is awaiting a decision by Maine’s highest court.

The Weathervane is trying to block the town from allowing Michael Landgarten, longtime owner of Bob’s Clam Hunt, to build a new restaurant, Robert’s Maine Grille and Market, on the site of the former Quarterdeck restaurant, next door to the Weathervane.

A Superior Court judge denied a lawsuit by Weathervane founder Raymond Gagner Sr. challenging the zoning board of appeals decision in favor of Landgarten. Gagner appealed the ruling this month to the Supreme Judicial Court.

Last week’s protest drew about 30 people. Organizers of Saturday’s event say those planning to participate include owners of independent restaurants in the local area.

Landgarten hoped to open the new restaurant this summer but was forced to halt construction and put his plans on hold because of the legal challenge by the chain of 17 restaurants in five Northeast states.

His supporters say Gagner’s son, Weathervane owner Terry Gagner, knows that Landgarten cannot afford to carry the property for the six to 12 months it may take for a final ruling and is using the court system to force a potential competitor to abandon his plan.