RICHMOND — The last month has been a whirlwind for Wayne and Kristy Alexander as the husband and wife worked around day jobs as local school bus drivers to ensure that their new fish and chips restaurant on Main Street will reflect that famous British precision when it opens today.

After more than five years on the road, Ye Olde English Fish and Chips once more has a permanent physical location. Since closing their Brunswick chip shop in 2006, Wayne and Kristy have hauled their concession trailers all over the state, constantly hearing customers ask where they are based in the winter.

Now they have an answer: In their hometown of Richmond — a stone’s throw from the waterfront park overlooking the Kennebec River. The town has been revitalizing its downtown, and the Alexanders hope their restaurant will spur more people to check out Richmond’s downtown, which also includes a pub, art gallery, bakery and various retail outlets.

Wayne’s father, Roger Alexander, is originally from Wales. He came to the United States as an adult after learning his father was an American serviceman from Harpswell.

Roger made his home in Richmond in 1984, and after a long fight, became a U.S. citizen, although he never met his father. The family opened a Ye Olde English Fish and Chips booth at the Topsham Fair 16 years ago, according to Kristy.

In 1998, they opened a take-out operation in the former Old Duck Inn hot dog stand — which had one table and two chairs — located in front of Fort Andross in Brunswick.

In 2000, Kristy said the Alexanders moved the eatery into the larger white building next door to the Old Duck Inn building. In 2006, they added a concession trailer to the business. But they closed and sold the business that same year.

Since then, the couple has gone “full blast in the summer time with four concession trailers,” Kristy said. “We go all the way up to Presque Isle and the farthest (south) we’ve gone is to Laconia,” in New Hampshire. She will often travel to the nearest events, where she can bring their three daughters, while Wayne tackles the more distant routes.

“This is a big step for us,” Wayne said of opening the shop on Main Street. “The demand was there. It was just making the big decision to do it.”

Kristy will continue driving school buses for Regional School Unit 2. Wayne, who currently drives buses for School Administrative District 75, will continue that job until April, when he will devote his full attention to the food business.

The Alexanders have hired two employees, and until April, Wayne expects his parents will be very involved with the restaurant. Kristy added that many people have stopped to ask if they are hiring, but how many more employees they may hire will depend on what type of business they experience.

The shop will offer delivery within a five-mile radius. With its red, white and blue walls, Ye Olde English Fish and Chips offers casual dining. It offers six tables for those who choose to dine in, and patrons will receive a number to be called when their order is ready at the counter.

The goal is to offer affordable prices even for families. Every menu item is priced less than $16.

“I hope we are fairly busy, and get people from Brunswick and Augusta and Richmond, to come here,” Wayne said.

The couple knew they wanted to open another restaurant, “but we had to do it when we were ready,” he said.

A loyal customer base that spawned in Brunswick finds the Alexanders whether they’re in Skowhegan or at Fryeburg Fair, Kristy said. “No matter where we are, they find us,” and they say, “‘Oh, I remember when you had the restaurant in Brunswick. We used to go in there.’… So it’s nice to have the following that I’m sure will follow us here.”

Their most popular dish is, of course, English Fish and Chips — fresh haddock in a homemade golden batter with fries or mash and coleslaw. Keeping with the “jolly olde” theme, they offer traditional British or English dishes, including Minced Beef N’ Gravy Pie, Cornish Pasties and Pork Sausage Rolls.

They also serve American food, including pizza, cold deli subs, seafood rolls, seafood entrees, chowders, burger baskets with fries, homemade desserts and their “Famous Chicken Fingers.”

“My motto is consistency,” Wayne said.

Roger recently told The Times Record that he plans to make cameo appearances at the restaurant. The two flags that adorn the business’ new restaurant sign — one American, one British; both red, white and blue — are not intended to commercialize the flags, Roger said, but rather to illustrate “what I’m about — my passion for America,” and his coming to this country years ago to find family.

“It shows you the American dream is still alive, but it’s not going to be handed to you on a silver platter,” Roger said.

As opening day approached, “We’re not nervous,” Wayne said. “I’m not nervous because I know who we are, what we do, and we have a good name.”

Kristy added, “And support from family and friends. The community has been …”

“… overwhelming,” Wayne finished his wife’s sentence.

Why Richmond?

“That’s where we live. That’s where our home is. This is where we’re wanted,” Kristy said.

Wayne was a little boy when he first moved to Richmond, and last week he pointed across the street from his restaurant to the family’s old apartment: “I used to live right there.”

“I’m thankful for Richmond,” Wayne said.

His three girls now attend Richmond schools: Mariah, 13; Kylee, 11; and Jaiden, 7. They are also excited about the restaurant, and while the girls are heavily engaged in sports, Wayne tries to involve them in the business as much as possible, letting them know this business supports them as well.

“Everything we’ve done business-wise; everything, we’ve done together,” Kristy said of herself and Wayne, who have been together 20 years and grew up together. “It’s been a family-owned and operated business right from the beginning.”

“It’s just another adventure and we’re going to go for it,” Wayne said.

The Alexanders plan to continue with the concession trailers and close the restaurant during the Fryeburg Fair in October.

Ye Olde English Fish and Chips

• Where: 2 Main St., Richmond
• Phone: 737-8688
• Hours: Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Closed Sundays
• Delivery Hours: (5-mile radius): Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Facebook: Olde English (Ye Olde English), menu posted there.

dmoore@timesrecord.com

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