LEWISTON – A downtown eatery plans to reopen Wednesday with the same name but a new accent.

Cafe Bon-Bon at the corner of Main and Middle streets will reopen after a two-month shut-down now that a silent partner has brought some capital to the family-run operation. Owner Joe Loubier said the reborn cafe will offer an expanded menu featuring many local French dishes, a retail deli and an open mic night twice a month to draw an evening crowd.

“It’s looking like the place may become a hangout for artists and musicians,” said Loubier. An item he placed in the Sun Journal offering exhibit and performance space has gotten great response. He said 20 to 30 people have called already, asking to have their artwork and photos displayed, or to perform. The first open mic night is scheduled for Friday, March 3 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Loubier said he plans to offer local French specialties like creton, meat pie and French onion soup regularly.

“My dad was born in Canada and my mother’s mother is from Canada,” said Loubier. “They taught me to make meat pie and creton when I was young. These are things I grew up with.”

He also will offer lower-priced fare such as grilled cheese, egg salad or peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches for $2.99 to $3.99.

At some point, he’d like to get a liquor license and offer wine with meals, but that requires two bathrooms – one for men and one for women. He hopes to make the necessary renovations within a year.

– Carol Coultas