MACHIAS, Maine — Helen’s Restaurant owner Julie Barker is happy to be in a routine again.
The Machias restaurant, which she co-owns with her husband, David, opened Tuesday for the first time since a fire leveled the previous establishment in July 2014.
For the past 10 months, the couple has been busy working to rebuild the business.
“I’m surprised that I’m so excited to be in a routine,” Julie Barker said Tuesday as patrons paid their bills and congratulated her on the reopening. Several bouquets of flowers on the pie case offered congratulations and well wishes.
Both Julie and David Barker said opening day has gone well.
“We spread the word to a few local people who used to come here for breakfast,” said David Barker.
No formal announcements or advertisements were made, however. The Barkers said they wanted a low-key start.
“We had to be careful,” said David Barker. “We have some new people.”
Since the opening at 6 a.m., staff have experienced some computer glitches and some issues with new equipment. But, overall, things have gone well.
“It’s all good. It’s just an adjustment,” said Julie Barker.
The menu is basically the same, though a few dishes have been added, such as a Roque bleu wedge salad, Julie Barker said.
David Barker said the crowd was good, especially for a weekday.
“This evening will be very busy,” he said. In an effort to be fair, Helen’s will not take reservations for a couple of weeks until staff feel more comfortable with their jobs. Seating will be all on a walk-in basis, he said.
“I think the whole place would be reserved if people had their way,” he said. “It’s good to be back.”