SOUTH PORTLAND – Governor’s Restaurant, a 50-year old family chain based in Old Town, has closed its South Portland location, though the restaurant was almost immediately reopened under different ownership.

Governor’s CEO Randy Wadleigh, son of founders Leith and Donna Wadleigh, said a decision was made to not renew the restaurant’s lease at the Merry Manor Best Western Inn, located just off the Interstate 95 exit on Main Street.

“At this point, we’re more focused on the market north of Lewiston,” he said, Wednesday. “We’re interested in the Augusta and Ellsworth areas.”

Greg Goforth, general manager of the Merry Manor, said he was notified of the change “a few months ago.” Governor’s officially shut down Sunday.

“We ended up not being open for Sunday dinner, but we opened up the same as usual the next morning at 6:30,” he said. “Our primary concern was to service our existing [banquet] contracts. We kept a lot of the same staff that was here, so it really was quite seamless.”

The menu is much the same – with a bit more emphasis on steaks and seafood in addition the Governor’s comfort-food fare – and the 14-member crew will be familiar to regulars. Only “about four or five” people chose not to remain, said Goforth, saying most already had plans to transition out with the slower winter season.

Still, the reopened restaurant does lack one thing: A name.

“Right now, were still searching for the perfect name,” said Goforth. “We’re just calling it the Merry Manor Restaurant right now. So, if anybody in the community has a good idea, please let us know.”

Goforth said the new restaurant hopes to serve the community as well as hotel patrons. Owned by Bangor-based Lafayette Hotels, which operates 25 hotels in Maine, including the Augusta’s Senator Inn and the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland, the Merry Manor plans a $500,000 overhaul of its restaurant.

Goforth said that in addition to updating mechanical systems and renovating the dining room and banquet halls, the Merry Manor will put in a large-screen TVs and a bar with several local beers on draft, in an effort to broaden its appeal as a neighborhood destination.

“It should be a really nice place to stop and have a beer on the way home from work,” said Goforth, predicting a summertime staff of 35 – slightly more than Governor’s peak numbers.

“I’m a little more ambitious,” said Goforth. “I think we’ll be busy. We’re really excited.”

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