OLD TOWN, Maine — The Dime, an Old Town bar and a staple of local nightlife for more than 15 years, closed its doors over the weekend for an undetermined period of time after a long-standing dispute between the building’s owner and The Dime’s proprietor.
Tim Taylor of Old Town, The Dime’s owner and operator, said the decision to close stemmed from a disagreement in February 2010 over a lease-to-purchase agreement with the property owner.
Taylor had been leasing the building at 283 Main St. from Robert Modery since June 2009 with the intent to purchase it in February 2010. When the time came for Taylor to purchase the building, both men allege that the final sale failed because of a misunderstanding over closing costs.
Taylor and Modery made numerous attempts to resolve the dispute and complete a sale on the building. When those efforts failed, both parties filed legal challenges in Bangor District Court as well as Penobscot County Superior Court.
“This is all a mystery to me,” Modery said. “I just wanted to sell the building, and now no one can enjoy it. It’s just a shame, that’s all.”
As a result of the legal challenges unfolding, Taylor said he has been forced to tentatively close the bar’s doors until all litigation is final.
“We don’t want to close, and this isn’t our plan for the future,” Taylor said. “But due to all the expenses and legal fees, this is what we need to do for now.”
Taylor maintains the courts eventually will rule in his favor, and he says that if they do, only then will he reopen the bar. It is unclear when the courts will render a final decision on the matter.
In the meantime, the bar will remain idle. In years past, the venue played host to everything from concerts and costume parties to video game tournaments and karaoke.
“I truly didn’t want any of this to happen. Now none of us have a choice. It’s one of those things when people have to just wait and see what happens next,” Modery said.
Popular Old Town bar closes after yearlong clash
