HOULTON – Soaring energy and food costs have forced the closing of a Houlton restaurant.

Governor’s Restaurant closed its doors Monday evening, four years after opening at the North Street location.

The franchise is owned by Tony Sullivan. Sullivan also is the owner of Governor’s Restaurant in Presque Isle, which will remain open.

On Tuesday morning, the restaurant’s parking lot was empty and telephone calls went unanswered.

Randy Wadleigh, chief operating officer and president of Governor’s Restaurants and owner of five of the six remaining Governor’s in Maine, said in a written statement that “Tony Sullivan has done a great job in Houlton and Presque Isle.”

“We both regret the closing of the Houlton location and the effect it will have on staff and guests,” the press release said.

Sullivan said in a written statement that although the Houlton Governor’s “enjoyed a loyal customer base and solid sales,” two factors made it impossible to keep the restaurant’s doors open: rising energy and food costs.

“Rising fuel and food prices made it increasingly difficult to meet our overhead expenses,” said Sullivan. “People may not realize it, but because of all the homemade food and baked goods we prepare fresh every day, running Governor’s is very labor intensive. We just couldn’t maintain the sales volume we needed to keep going.”

“We appreciate all the people who visited us regularly, and we appreciate our great Governor’s crew,” he continued. “I am very sad that there will be folks out there looking for work, and folks who will miss having Governor’s in their town.”

All Governor’s Restaurants will honor existing gift cards and coupons, including his Presque Isle location, said Sullivan.

Sullivan was not available for comment on how many employees were affected by the closure.

jlbdn@ainop.com

532-9257