WESTBROOK – Two new restaurant-bars set to open along busy intersections on Route 302 may spur growth in the area, but it may be too much for one neighborhood.

Jacob Simcock and Linda Brabrook, co-owners of a new venture called 250, at 33 Elmwood Ave., off Route 302, heard plenty of opposition to their plans when they were both in front of the Westbrook City Council on Monday night for liquor, food and amusement permits.

Bill Umbel, owner of Lenny’s Roadhouse, near the Duck Pond Road intersection, also was seeking permits for his establishment, located on Hardy Road near the Duck Pond Road intersection. He had gotten permits a few years ago, but did not follow through on his plans then.

Simcock was denied the licenses after it was revealed not all his business partners were listed on the application. He is expected to return to the council once his multiple partners are added to his license application.

The application wasn’t Simcock’s only hurdle. Neighbors of the building, which houses the Green Flea flea market, say they are concerned with noise levels and alcohol being served in their neighborhood, especially after they say multiple former businesses in that building, including a pool hall and bowling alley, put them in danger and destroyed their sense of security.

“We’ve had a lot of things in there before. The bar that’s going in there is going to generate a lot of traffic and a lot of problems. Problems in the past were knife fights in the parking lot from people coming out of there, fistfights on my front lawn,” said Jim Farrell, a nearby resident.

Farrell and others said there have been deaths in the area due to past bars overserving customers, and other trouble, including drug deals outside their windows, loud music late at night and even people passed out in their yards.

Simcock and Brabrook, the one partner listed on Simcock’s application, anticipated staying open most nights until at least 11 and 1 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

During the meeting, Simcock said he envisioned the restaurant as a family-friendly venue where parents could hang out with their 16-year-olds and listen to a comedy act or live music. Simcock said the restaurant portion of the building would serve fresh, locally grown food and have multiple TVs to watch sports programs. The back portion of the building would house the entertainment, including live bands, DJs and comedy acts. That back portion would also be reinforced with soundproofing to keep noise levels down for the close abutters.

“I wasn’t aware of all the issues with neighbors,” Simcock said. “I want this to be a family restaurant and a full bar with live entertainment. We’ll have segregated rooms with live entertainment. We will police the lawn and have a security system plan set up. I’d like to work with the neighbors who’ve had these issues in the past to find some common ground to live together.”

But Pauline Barrows said as much as it sounded like a good idea, it was not a good idea for their area.

“This is not our first rodeo in the neighborhood. I’m not opposed to a restaurant, but, as far as entertainment goes, I live two buildings before that area, I can tell you there were many a night where police were out there,” Barrows said. “Good luck with your business, too bad you can’t find another nice neighborhood.”

Neighbors also noted traffic could be problematic when the bar was busy, and said the building itself was not fit for serving food.

Mark Malone, a part owner of the property, said problems with the building itself, including leaks in the roof and bad plumbing, have been dealt with and a mold problem was being addressed now.

Ultimately, the council unanimously vetoed the applicants’ licenses because two other people not named on the application said they were partners in the venture, but had not been added on to the LLC application yet.

Councilor Mike Foley suggested all the partners submit new paperwork to the city and then the council would hear the restaurateurs’ plan for the business venture.

Meanwhile, another busy intersection could see a new restaurant in as little as two months.

Umbel, former owner of Empire Dine and Dance in Portland, received the licenses for Lenny’s Roadhouse, located at 10 Hardy Road, right at the Duck Pond, Hardy Road and Route 302 intersection.

Umbel said his new venture will include locally grown and harvested food and acoustic music.

“I own the building and wanted to get some income out of it. Given my history and experiences I decided to make a go of it, and get some income out of the building,” Umbel said before the meeting. “I think it can be an asset to the community. If we get the blessing, I’m going full steam ahead and get it built.”

The restaurant, located in the Hawkes Plaza, used to be the site of Al Hawkes’ recording studio for his record label, Event Records.

“I remember you could rent records out of there. It was one of the first places that carried high-end audio equipment. I can remember looking at all the amps and speakers,” Umbel said.

Umbel sold his former restaurant and event spot, Empire, in April and has been on the road traveling since. Umbel said he had no interest in the restaurant business, preferring the real estate world instead. After a few months off from Empire, he decided to give the restaurant business another go.

The Hawkes plaza, according to Umbel, boasts a very recognizable landmark, the large, working neon sign.

“New businesses in the area are great. What I heard at the public meeting [held in May about future growth along Route 302] was that people wanted places to go in the neighborhood,” said Molly Just, city planner.

No one spoke up against Umbel’s plan.

A new restaurant and bar is proposed for this building on 33 Elmwood Ave., in Westbrook, but prior problems at the site have ruined nearby residents’ appetite for such a business in the neighborhood. Staff photo by Suzanne Hodgson Lenny’s Roadhouse, planned for this building at 10 Hardy Road, will feature locally harvested food and acoustic bands. Staff photo by Suzanne Hodgson 

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