Renovated Baldacci’s reopens

BANGOR – A local institution reopened its doors Friday, giving diners a chance to see the renovated Baldacci’s Restaurant and a new generation of the well-known family the opportunity to serve the public.

Though the Baldacci family is known for its involvement in politics, its bread and butter has been food service ever since the old Baltimore Restaurant opened in 1933. On Friday, Paul Baldacci Jr., 21, became the fourth generation of the family to help take the reins of the family business.

Baldacci’s father, Paul Baldacci, suddenly died five weeks ago as he and Dan Tremble, a business partner and family friend, were in the midst of renovating the restaurant. They were doing the work in between restaurant hours but, after an undetected heart ailment claimed Paul’s life at the age of 48, the family decided to close until the renovations were complete.

Besides Tremble, Paul Baldacci’s seven brothers and sisters, including Gov. John Baldacci, were on hand Friday as Baldacci’s reopened.

Among the changes at the eatery are a new deli and pizza takeout area, a new bar, and a shorter name. After being called Momma Baldacci’s for years, it is now simply Baldacci’s, reverting to the name of one of its prior incarnations.

Paul Baldacci Jr., cooking a steak in the renovated kitchen for one of his customers, said some old recipes are on the updated menu. His uncle John recently found some that date from the old Baltimore Restaurant in the basement of the Alden Street business, he said.

“We’ve made the items a little simpler,” Paul Baldacci Jr. said. “We’re offering more steaks now. The price levels are about the same.”

He said that being able to work on the restaurant and getting it ready for its reopening has helped him cope with his father’s death.

“The first time I came in here [after he died] it was hard,” he said. “I don’t know what I would do without this place. It’s more than just a restaurant to us.”

He said that a friend of his father’s, Mark Miller, was expected to play guitar and sing Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young” at the restaurant Friday night in Paul’s honor.

Don and Laura Harvey of Glenburn were among the reopened restaurant’s first patrons. While glancing over the new menu, they said they wanted to see the restaurant’s new interior as soon as they could.

“We’ve been coming here for years. We knew Paul,” Laura Harvey said. “It looks great.”

Friday’s opening was a casual affair for the governor, who wore a red sweatshirt, khaki pants and boots as he greeted patrons at the door and helped find them places to sit.

When asked about the restaurant reopening after his brother’s death, John Baldacci grew quiet. Standing near the corner of the new bar, his eyes became watery as he thought about Paul.

“There’s a lot of his spirit here,” he said softly, keeping his composure. “This was his whole life.”

The governor’s voice grew stronger as he continued and spoke about Paul Baldacci Jr. and his sister Elise reopening the restaurant.

“We’re very proud of him and Elise continuing their father’s work,” he said. “Bangor’s our home and where our roots are. We’re getting ready for another generation.”