In 1945,
Clint and Dot (Nana) Congdon, originally from Colebrook, NH, opened Congdon’s
Restaurant on Main Street in Kennebunk. The restaurant was a thriving business,
but the main reason people kept coming back was Nana’s homemade doughnuts. They
later sold the restaurant, moving the doughnut equipment into a barn where they
wholesaled doughnuts to area stores. In 1955, Nana, and her son-in-law Herb
Brooks, built Congdon’s where it sits today. In 1962, the Pancake Room
Restaurant was added to the property.
“Breakfast
Anytime” was the main theme then and remains so today at Congdon’s Doughnuts
Family Restaurant. Over the next eight years, Herb and his wife Bev, expanded
their business to include doughnut outlets in Old Orchard, Kennebunk, and
Ogunquit. Tragically, they were both killed in an airplane crash in 1965. The
following year, Herb’s sister Eleanor, with her husband Richard Leech, took
over management of the business, continuing the family tradition, Over the years, Congdon’s has seen many
changes.
In April
of 1979, a propane gas leak completely destroyed the take-out stand. Upon rebuilding, an inside dining room was
added enabling year round hours. In June
of 1983, a fire blackened the interior of the building, forcing the crew to
scramble to open for the summer season. In 1984, the Pancake Room Restaurant
and Congdon’s Doughnuts joined forces under one roof.
In our
visits, it was common in the early hours for the line of cars to stretch 20 or
more long on the road, in both directions, waiting to get into the filled parking lot or drive-thru
lane. Congdon’s has now purchased the
parcel of land next door to expand parking and outside seating.
 |
| Chocolate covered bacon! |
 |
| Yes, that is one big glazed donut; the tray usually holds 48 donuts. :-) |
No comments:
Post a Comment