Years After It Closed, Central Maine Residents Still Feel the Loss of This Beloved Restaurant

If you have lived in an area for more than a few years, there is a good chance that you have witnessed the closing of a favorite restaurant.

While it is always tragic to see the closure of a local business, we normally get over it within a few weeks.  We move on and find another place to eat.

Sometimes, however, the closure of a restaurant sticks with us for years.

Aunt Gin’s in Whitefield, Maine

For the better part of a decade, Aunt Gin’s was a favorite of Central Mainers and visitors alike.

Opened in 2015 by Wyatt Shorey and Steve Dumas, Aunt Gin’s was named for Dumas’s aunt, Virginia Smith.

Located on Route 17 in Whitefield, the restaurant was known for its casual atmosphere and home-cooked food.  A typical menu included meatloaf, beef tips, pasta dishes, and specialty pizzas

If you are an omelet-lover, breakfast at Aunt Gin’s was always special.  In addition to pancakes, sausage, oatmeal, and scrambled eggs, the eatery had a menu filled with specialty omelets.  The Whitefield featured pulled pork and BBQ sauce, the Windsor was loaded with corned beef, and the Maine Coast featured crab meat.

Holidays were special at Aunt Gin’s.  They would be open and serving a special meal for nearly every major holiday.  Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Valentine’s Day, and even Mother’s Day.  Basically, they offered these meals on any holiday that normally features a special meal.  They even continued to do a takeout version of these meals during the pandemic.

Why Did Aunt Gin’s Close?

On the night of April 30^th, 2021, there was a significant fire at the restaurant.

Crews from five area fire departments came out to battle the blaze.  Fortunately, as the restaurant had been closed for the night, there were no injuries.  It was later determined that the fire was accidental and had been caused by an electrical malfunction.

For whatever reason, the owners decided not to re-open the restaurant.

What About Otto’s on the River?

While the loss of Aunt Gin’s was a blow for Central Maine, Dumas and Shorey have another local restaurant.  Otto’s on the River, located on Water Street in Augusta, serves upscale food in a casual environment.

Check out their menu HERE.

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