The Don’s Lunch van, which was shut down and sold in March, is closing in on a new location in Westbrook.
The Westbrook Planning Board will consider Tuesday, Sept. 1, a site plan amendment for the new proposed location at 925 Main St., not far from its original location during the 1970s.
The parcel was formerly Leclerc’s gas station, but last year, the Planning Board approved the lot to be used as a gas station and redemption center by the owners of Friendly Discount.
Westbrook resident Craig Bernier purchased the van in March from Bill and Nancy Bombard after state officials shut down the business in February for failing to pay state sales taxes. It had been operated by Jim Richards, the son of original owners Don and Yvonne Richards, since 2012. However, after the business was shut down, the truck reverted back to the Bombards.
In March, Bernier told the American Journal that he had been a “lifetime customer” of Don’s Lunch, and when he saw the van for sale, Bernier said, he “absolutely” thought the business should stay in Westbrook.
Bernier said he would be restoring the 1978 GMC van to driving condition. In July, Bernier posted photos to the Don’s Lunch Facebook page of the repair work, including welding, sandblasting, brake work, painting and more. Last week, Bernier notified fans of the business of the potential new location.
“Please wish us good luck and any and all support is truly appreciated,” he said.
Don and Yvonne Richards opened Don’s Lunch in 1976, setting up the truck at 959 Main St. When it was sold to the Bombards in 2001, the business relocated to 517 Main St.
According to the Planning Board agenda, the van would use the northeast corner of the lot, and would receive site upgrades – mainly road striping to distinguish the food truck area and lanes for the redemption center.
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