CARIBOU, Maine – A once popular restaurant in Caribou will close later this month.
Bechard’s Grille co-owner Rae Rossignol announced Tuesday that she and husband John would be closing the doors by April 1.
The Rossignols purchased the business from Richard and Sandy Bechard last summer, hoping to keep the restaurant in the family. The Bechards, who opened the restaurant in 2019, had been struggling amid post-pandemic inflation and worker shortages.
This winter’s shortened snowmobile season played a role in the restaurant losing revenue lately, Rae Rossignol said. Bechard’s normally would see 25 to 30 snowmobile riders every day. But by late February, only around 30 had come in that month.
Though she did not elaborate, Rossignol said that the snowmobile season is not the only reason she and John have decided to close Bechard’s.
The couple is considering whether to open a smaller business in the future, but have not made a final decision.
“We have been deeply touched by the support and appreciation from the Caribou community, particularly for our food offerings,” Rossignol said. “We are committed to ensuring that the essence of what we created is not entirely lost.”
Rossignol said she notified all 10 restaurant employees of the closure last week. Most have found other employment, she said.