Big J’s Chicken Shack at Thompson’s Point is closing

Big J’s Chicken Shack at Thompson’s Point. (Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Portland Press Herald)

Big J’s Chicken Shack, a casual restaurant at Thompson’s Point that serves chicken and waffles and Nashville hot chicken, is closing at the end of the month, according to Jason Loring, who is one of the owners.

Loring, whose restaurant group owns Big J’s, said he and his partners were approached by their business partners at Thompson’s Point a few weeks ago with an offer to buy them out. They decided to accept, he said, because they are focused on two newer projects in Carrabassett Valley and Windham, “so timing is good for everyone.” Loring called it a “mutual and friendly transition.”

Loring said he and his partners will still own the Big J’s brand and are considering opening it in other locations.

Big J’s opened in August 2016 next door to Bissell Brothers Brewing Co. Customers could order chicken through a window in the brewery’s tap room.

Loring’s most recent projects include Hunker Down, a comfort food restaurant that opened in November at the base of the Sugarloaf ski resort. Hunker Down will also provide the food for Erik’s Church, a new country music venue opening soon in Windham.

Rhum, a tiki bar Loring and his partners owned in the Old Port, closed in January after struggling to make a go of it.

Chris Thompson, the developer of Thompson’s Point, could not immediately be reached for comment.