LEWISTON – Some publicity – seasoned with a little luck – is keeping Nothing But the Blues Cafe open.

The funky College Street eatery has a new owner, who plans to keep its ethnic and vegetarian menu and name. The cafe was scheduled to close Friday after owner Jim Murray decided to call it quits because of health problems.

But news reports of the closure prompted longtime customer Keith Morgan to contact Murray and discuss a sale. The pair finalized a deal Tuesday, and Morgan plans to take over Friday.

“It should be a seamless transition,” said Murray, who plans to stay on for about a month and show Morgan the ropes.

“I’m excited for the customers,” said Murray, who’s run the restaurant for the past five years. “It’s been pretty somber around here.”

– Carol Coultas