WESTBROOK — A group of Portland restaurant owners are hoping their new Westbrook venture will fill a hole in the market.

The owners of Tomaso’s Canteen, a bar and restaurant on Hampshire Street in Portland, are planning to open a pub in Westbrook’s downtown by March. Legends Rest Taproom will be located at 855 Main St. behind Big Fin Poke. 

“I’ve really liked what’s been going on downtown,” co-owner Tom Minervino said. “I saw the need for a casual hangout in Westbrook.”

The other owners are Mike Barton and Minervino’s sister and Westbrook resident, Meg Minervino. The 1,000-square-foot space will seat 35 people and will have a late 80s to early 90s feel that will “capture the old school sports bar vibe,” Tom Minverino said.

There won’t be giant TVs playing various sports games, though. The intention is to create a relaxing environment where people can meet up with friends and community members.

“It’ll be interesting to see what the atmosphere will be like here,” Meg Minervino said.

Legends Rest Taproom will serve burgers, appetizers and bar snacks, and there will be 10 taps serving local craft beer. The Minervinos said they’re looking forward to offering a wide selection of beer from breweries around Maine.

“I’m excited for all the local breweries we’ll be able to feature and that we’ll have so many taps,” Meg Minervino said.

Among the offerings will be beer from Westbrook’s two breweries, Mast Landing Brewing Company and Yes Brewing. Legends Rest will be situated between the two breweries and Tom Minervino said he’s not looking to take customers away from them. He said because of his business hours, there won’t be too much competition.

“Those places close at 8 or so, so this can be a good place for people to go after,” he said. “We want this to be a place that complements other businesses in Westbrook.”

Legends Rest Taproom will be open until 1 a.m. every night. During the week it will open at 4 p.m. and on the weekend it will open at noon. 

Tom Minervino said Westbrook needs a bar like Legends Rest Taproom. He said while there are other downtown options, such as the Frog and Turtle, Legends Rest will be more laid back and inexpensive. 

Prior to Legends Rest’s spring opening, another pub is scheduled to open downtown. Quill Books and Beverage, a combination bookstore/coffee shop/pub, plans to open next month at One Westbrook Common.

Minervino said he thinks his business will fit in well with the others. He said his location will help because it’s on the backside of Main Street facing One Riverfront Plaza. With Maine Medical Center scheduled to open its new office space there next month, Minervino said he hopes many come to Legends Rest after work.

“I’m just excited about the location being right along the river and right in the downtown,” he said.

The Minervinos said they hope to have some outdoor seating facing the river in the summer.

According to Deputy City Clerk Ashley Rand, the Minervinos and Barton have not submitted a business license application or liquor license application to the city yet. The City Council will need to approve the liquor license application once it’s submitted.

Kate Gardner can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 125 or kgardner@theforecaster.net. Follow her on Twitter: @katevgardner.

Siblings Meg and Tom Minervino (holding his son, Lewis) plan to open Legends Rest Taproom, a casual pub, at 855 Main St. in March. 

Copy the Story Link