McSeagull's McSeagull's enters the 21st century with a whole new look. This architectural rendering by George Parker of Damariscotta is the view from Pier 1 where the current entrances are located. The new McSeagull's will be raised two feet and be two stories tall. (Photo George S. Parker)

McSeagull's. Since 1976, this Pier 1 restaurant/bar has been a popular destination for locals, visitors and summer residents in search of good times and fun people to create them with.

Chef and General Manager, Ralph Smith's vision for the popular restaurant began to form the moment he first donned his chef's hat in its kitchen two years ago.

"McSeagull's has always had a history as a party place, we have just added good food to the venue," said Smith. "It's seen a lot of good times over the years."

"With us trying to make it a year-round establishment, and the repairs that have to be done, it just seemed to make more sense to rebuild the entire structure - from the pilings up."

Smith said that the town has been very good to them and code enforcement officer Dabney Lewis helpful with the many questions Smith has had during this "learning process."

He emphasized that without the help of owners Gayle Ogilvie and Ron Stoddard and the Blake family, who own the pier, this rebuilding effort would not be happening.

McSeagull's will close at the Pier 1 location at the close of business Saturday, December 1 and will be reconstructed as a two-story building.

Smith, his wife Elena, and the staff will be relocating McSeagull's to the former Boathouse Bistro building on The By-Way. They will operate "McSeagull's at the Bistro" throughout the winter, beginning Friday, December 7. Construction on the new building is expected to be complete by mid-May.

Smith advises that the demolition of McSeagull's will begin on the morning of Wednesday, December 5, and that the building will be completely leveled by Saturday, December 8.

Smith said he and the staff have heard from many among their clientele that even though they know the building needs to be redone, "do you have to change the interior?" And, "will you promise not to have lots of white walls?"

Said Smith with a smile, "We have listened to everyone's requests and that has affected our plans. They want the old McSeagull's back, and, we do, too. We just want an energy efficient, up-to-code, easier-to-maintain McSeagull's!"

The new McSeagull's will have a pleasing appearance from the water or the pier. It will be built on the same footprint, but as a two-story structure.

The bar will be relocated to the left of the entrance from the pier; wood beams, furniture, and any other decorative features - including the same colors - will be part of the new building.

A movable dining area will become a stage/dance floor space where the kitchen, alcove and bathrooms are currently situated. A larger dining area is off to the right, as it is now, to the deck.

An awning will cover the deck and still allow for plenty of sunlight.

A staircase will rise from the middle of the structure to another dining area (over the downstairs deck) with a small bar. Diners will look out at the harbor on two sides 16 inches up from the floor to ceiling windows, with the third wall (facing Hawks) housing the bar.

The upstairs is where the kitchen, storage areas, freezers, an office and a unisex bathroom will be located.

"When people walk in next May they will know they are in a new building, but it will look and feel like the old favorite, familiar one they have always known," Smith said.

Steve Dutton of East Boothbay drew the original architectural renderings during a brainstorming session with Smith. The final plans for George S. Parker drew the new McSeagull's, Architect, of Damariscotta.

Smith attributes most of the success of McSeagull's to the staff and his wife, Elena.

"Elena is very involved in the business, she's here from morning til night - sometimes I have to drag her out of here," said Smith. "She is relentless in her efforts.

"But, it has to be that way. This is a consuming business and if you don't love it, if you're not willing to be there, you are in the wrong business."

And, Smith added, "If you aren't involved in this business with your spouse, you will never see them. It has worked out really great for us."

Speaking on dedication, Smith notes that a lot of people have good things to say about the food and he usually gets most of the credit for it.

"But, the consistent quality has more to do with having a staff that have worked together for a long time," Smith said.

Keith Amato has been Smith's executive chef for five years (three of those years were while they were both at the Boathouse Bistro), Jonathan Brooks (four years), Zac Spear, Evan McSwain, and Brian Burdin for two years.

"They are the reason we can produce the quantity of food that we do and maintain the quality," Smith said.

No one can deny that its history has been colorful, and that most everyone has had more than a few memorable evenings there, but there is another reason it has proved so popular.

"People love McSeagull's," Smith said. "It's on the water, it's on a pier. I can wear my McSeagull's shirt in Portland and Boston and people stop me and say, `Hey, I've been there!'

"The musicians that we have here have been playing here for over thirty years, they are part of the history," said Smith

And some of those very same musicians will be playing during McSeagull's "closing party" that follows the Harbor Lights Boat Parade post-party.

The Holy Mackerels and Elmore Twist will perform alternating, hour-long sets, 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., while "heavy" hors d'oeuvres are passed and very light fare will be offered for dining.

To add to the festive atmosphere, Smith has invited "guest bartenders," a.k.a. former employees that may have poured a glass of spirits for you! Bartenders scheduled to work with Elena for 30-minute shifts include Ronnie Babcock, Karen Perkins, Dean Morrison, Richard Latter and four others.

"It's basically going to be a good-bye and a fun night and we hope everybody comes," Smith said. "Without our very dedicated clientele we wouldn't have had the great seasons we've had."

McSeagull's at the Bistro, opening December 7, will offer lunch and dinner, from the McSeagull's menu, seven days a week. Meals will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and the first floor dining room will open daily from 4 p.m.

The bar/tavern will remain open until 1 a.m. or until everyone goes home, whichever comes first. At this time, there are no plans for musical entertainment.

Smith is not entertaining thoughts about entertainment at this location.

"This whole winter Bistro location all came about because we wanted to keep our employees working through the winter," said Smith. "It is important to keep a good crew together. And, it is a great building."

Now, what about the rumors about the Bistro location - is that going to be McSeagull's II?

All will be revealed, but, for now, Smith says the restaurant will be renamed "The Bistro" with a completely different menu and venue.

We will all be watching the transformation of McSeagull's with a shot of excitement, equal parts of sadness and nostalgia and a splash of anticipation.

It is, as Elena put it, "The beginning of a brave, new world."