BANGOR, Maine — The owners of Pepino’s Mexican Restaurant are renovating the former Luna Bar & Grill on Park Street in order to return the restaurant to its roots in the downtown area.
“The restaurant opened in downtown Bangor in 1978 and moved to the Stillwater Avenue location in 1996,” Susan Stephenson wrote in an email Saturday. She and her husband, Michael “Andy” Stephenson, have owned Pepino’s since 2010. “[We] are thrilled that the restaurant will return to downtown Bangor.”
Pepino’s will close out the year at their Bangor Mall location at 570 Stillwater Ave. and plan to open in January at 49 Park St., behind Bangor City Hall.
“Over the past several years, downtown Bangor has been growing, and the amazing independent restaurants are making downtown the place to dine in Bangor,” Stephenson said. “We’re so excited to become a part of this community.”
Customers can expect the same staff and menu at the new location, along with several new food items, an expanded beer and wine selection and a tequila menu, she said. The Park Street building also will have space reserved for private functions.
Numerous special events and promotions are planned at the Bangor Mall location through Dec. 31, Stephenson said.
Bangor businessmen Dan Tremble, Jonathan “Gabby” Price and Price’s son-in-law Andy Stephenson bought the local restaurant chain in 2010 from Norris and Sue Bryant, who own the Brewer building where the Pepino’s Taco Stand is located.
Pepino’s Taco Stand started in the 1970s on Center Street in Bangor and moved to the Brewer location on South Main Street in 1977. The Bryants purchased the business in 1978 and opened a second Pepino’s in downtown Bangor, which later moved to Stillwater Avenue.
Before Pepino’s opened, the only place in Maine to get Mexican food was in Portland, Norris recalled at that time he sold the eatery.
Tremble, Price and Andy Stephenson opened another Pepino’s location on Hammond Street, which later was converted into a laundromat, and started bottling Pepino’s hot sauce.
The Stephensons recently bought out Tremble and Price, making them owners of Pepino’s Mexican Restaurant. Price is the sole owner of the Pepino’s Taco Stand in Brewer, Susan Stephenson said.
Locally hired contractors and businesses, including Stone Masters, Bangor Seat Cover, Color Concepts, Infinity Maintenance Solutions, Bangor Canvas and Powell Refrigeration, are working to transform the Park Street building, owned by John and Laurie Karnes, into the Mexican restaurant.
Bangor City Council Chairman Ben Sprague said he spoke with Susan Stephenson earlier this week and learned the plans were in place for the move.
“We certainly are excited about it,” Sprague said Saturday. “They’re a great business and are already known in the area for their good food and excellent service. Pepino’s opening in this location is a big win for downtown Bangor.
“It’s a natural fit, and I can’t wait for their opening,” the council chairman said.