WINDHAM – If the owner of Charlie Beiggs doesn’t receive an offer on his restaurant by Jan. 23, the mainstay of the North Windham dining scene will close.

Tony Barner, along with his wife, Clare Amrhein, bought the restaurant in December 2007 just as the economy started its downward turn. As a result, three years into the venture, Barner can no longer afford to keep the business open.

“Overall it’s been a tough economy for everybody, not just restaurants, but for anybody serving the public. People understand it’s been tough,” Barner said, referring to other local businesses including Bushmaster Firearms and Charlie Beiggs’ longtime neighbor, The Landing Restaurant, which closed its doors in November.

Barner is the third owner of the restaurant, which is housed in the old North Windham Fire Station after remodeling took place in the late 1970s, according to the restaurant’s website. Originally opened as Rozzi’s Fire Barn, after owner Fred Rozzi, the name changed to Horsefeathers at the Crossing under a new owner. Horsefeathers manager Brian Stevens bought the restaurant in 1988 and named it Charlie Beiggs after someone he knew in the military. Stevens then sold it to Peggy Rowe and Irene Discatio in 1999, both of whom worked at the restaurant prior to buying it.

Barner listed the restaurant in June with Steve Strand of the Portland-based Certified Business Brokers of Maine. Strand is asking $175,000 or best offer for the turn-key operation. Barner, who appreciates the restaurant’s long history and local appeal, is disappointed to have to close, should an offer not arise, but he also doesn’t want to keep losing money.

“My wife and I just got to a point where we had to make a decision. We’re operating as normally as possible though. I’ve notified the staff, and they’ve appreciated me giving them notice and letting them know what’s going on,” Barner said.

Barner and Amrhein moved to Maine from Connecticut three years ago to get out of corporate life and to run their own business. They said Charlie Beiggs’ financials “looked good” when they researched the company but “there was nothing we could do about the economy,” Barner said. As money got tighter, Amrhein had to take a job in Bangor. Barner said he will join her after Jan. 23 and look for a job in manufacturing supervision, a field in which he has a background.

“Of course, I can’t help but miss it. It’s heart-breaking,” the personable Barner said Wednesday. “Some of these employees have been here 15 to 20 years, so I feel bad for them as well.”

Charlie Beiggs is known also for its sauces. Barner said the rights for the sauces, which can be bought locally at Hannaford Bros. supermarkets, were “sold two owners ago,” so the restaurant’s closure has no bearing on the sauces, which he said are manufactured in Indiana.

The Charlie Beiggs name, at least locally, carries weight as one of North Windham’s best full-scale dining establishments known for its quality offerings. With an upstairs meeting space, the restaurant has also served as a gathering place for groups such as the Sebago Lake Rotary Club.

While the news has hit hard, with Barner receiving many calls from people inquiring about the impending closure, the possible loss of Charlie Beiggs has also surprised Barbara Clark, executive director of the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce. Clark said Barner went to her office Tuesday to personally break the news.

“I think it’s very sad. It is a long-standing restaurant in our community and this is sad, challenging news. It just adds to the other businesses which have recently announced their closing,” she said.

Clark said Charlie Beiggs was a tourist favorite as well, especially for those who were looking for non-chain restaurants.

“Tourists looking for something local, with local Maine fare, we’ll refer them to Charlie Beiggs,” she said. “And some would actually come back to thank us for the recommendation they were so happy with their experience. So we were glad to promote it.”

Speaking about the many loyal customers, Barner said, “We appreciate them and thank them, both the customers and the employees, and wish them well.”

Despite the announcement, Barner is holding out hope that a sale may occur before Sunday, Jan. 23.

“You never know, someone may come in this week and make an offer. We would still be leaving, but the name would stay the same and hopefully the employees could still remain in their jobs,” he said.

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