Thurston’s Wicked Good Burgers, 699 Forest Ave., served its last hamburger Sunday night, the chef announced on the restaurant’s Facebook page.
Thurston’s, which opened in 2014, was known for its Angus beef burgers, frozen custard and gluten-free options. The restaurant used as many local ingredients as possible, including buns from Botto’s Bakery and dairy from Oakhurst, and produce from local farms. “Thank you all for visiting Thurston’s Wicked Good Burgers and Frozen Custard over the last two years,” chef Eric Schilly wrote on Facebook. “I wanted to let you all know that at the end of business hours today, 9:00pm, we will be serving our last burger. Thank you for all your support.”
Contacted by phone Tuesday, Schilly said he was re-evaluating the situation and was “not 100 percent sure” whether the restaurant would re-open elsewhere. He said he’s been looking for a new location, but has not yet found the right fit.
“Right now, it just wasn’t performing the way we wanted it to,” he said.
Customers did not seem willing to wait for a burger cooked to order, and because the restaurant purchased so many of its products locally, prices were higher than at fast-food hamburger joints. Thurston’s was more upscale than McDonald’s, for example, but not so upscale that it could serve wine and beer.
On top of that, the location was facing road construction next year that would have interfered with customer traffic.
Thurston’s is owned by Fred Thurston of Conifer Industries in New Gloucester. Thurston could not be reached for comment.
Thurston’s donated many of its profits to groups that help wounded veterans.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
