AUBURN – The longtime Black Watch restaurant closed Saturday and, over the weekend, staff took one business day off before moving across the street for a new venture: Amanda’s Restaurant and Pub.

The newest gastronomic entry at Great Falls Plaza opened Monday.

Amanda Hogan, an 18-year-old from Otisfield, is the owner.

“She’s greeting customers as we speak,” said her father, Mark Hogan, Tuesday. The family’s been in the restaurant business 25 years. His daughter wanted to take time off after high school and not rush right into college, he said.

This opportunity came along.

Hogan said he and his wife will act as managers, wait staff, dishwashers – whatever she needs.

The new restaurant will be open six days a week, serving breakfast, lunch and a full dinner, plus a Sunday buffet brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’ll also offer catering and delivery.

He described Amanda’s as a “blue-collar family restaurant. … Something where the working man can have a night out with his family and not have to take out a loan.”

On most Saturday nights , they plan to have a local musician.

Hogan said they bought the business end of the Black Watch on Jan. 1. The move was prompted by a bigger kitchen and more seating.

The staff and chefs from Black Watch moved with them.

The space at 2 Great Falls Plaza has been home to T.J.’s restaurant and, more recently, the short-lived Great Falls Grill.

That last one missed the mark, Hogan said. “This is L-A. There is no (demand for) $28 rib-eye steak. This isn’t the place for fancy. This is the place for good food, good price and to have fun.”

In the next few days, the Grill signs will come down and Amanda’s signs will go up.

For a box:

What: Amanda’s Restaurant and Pub

Where: 2 Great Falls Plaza, Auburn

Hours: Monday to Saturday 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday (brunch) 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

More information: 777-7443