LEWISTON — Rails is coming right back.

After closing abruptly two weeks ago, restaurant management announced Tuesday that it’s hiring and looking to reopen in mid-March.

Rails opened in the historic former railroad depot at 103 Lincoln St. at the end of 2014 and closed without notice on Feb. 6.

“We needed a moment to regroup so we could deliver the best food and service possible, so that’s what we did,” said owner Ileshea Stowe. “It was a tough call.”

She’s hiring a new staff now. At full staff, Rails has 12 to 15 employees.

“I am looking for experienced kitchen help, for sure,” she said. “We’re going to open up and continue on with what we’ve done. When the warmer weather rolls around, we’ll extend the hours and put out the patio and probably roll out a few new things.”

Customers were quick to react with “Excellent!” and “Awesome!” on Facebook on Tuesday. Stowe said she was similarly heartened when she heard about the social media comments earlier this month with people being surprised but supportive when Rails closed.

“It makes you feel like you’re doing the right thing when people care enough to tell you that they’re happy about (the reopening news),” Stowe said. “I’m ready for us to open up again. I miss the people and I miss service. There’s a lot of people who come in that are regulars and I miss our people.”

kskelton@sunjournal.com

Rails, a high-end restaurant on Lincoln Street in Lewiston, announced Tuesday that it will reopen next month after closing abruptly in early February. (Sun Journal file photo)