The second location of Daddy O’s, the popular Oxford diner, is almost ready to open its doors at 5 Pigeon Hill Road/Route 26 in Mechanic Falls.

Owners Aaron and Amanda Ouellette have spent the past four months renovating the former Egg-ceptional restaurant that closed in February.

The couple opened Daddy O’s in 2008, after Amanda Ouellette said being a stay-at-home mom drove her “crazy.” In 2015, they moved farther north on Route 26 to 1570 Main St., doubling the number of seats.

The kids are grown and gone, so the empty nesters decided it was time to open a second location and they found the Mechanic Falls spot, describing their motivation and state of mind as “crazier.”

The formula is simple and has proven successful: focus on breakfast and lunch in the true diner tradition. The breakfast menu boasts more than 50 items, from pancakes, French toast and omelets to eggs Benedict, home fries and corned beef hash to chipped beef on toast.

Lunch is equally as impressive, offering soups, salads, burgers, hot and cold sandwiches and even a “Lewiston Lobster” — a world famous red snapper on a toasted bun, in addition to daily specials during the week.

Speaking almost in tandem, the Ouellettes described what customers can expect: “The same experience, the same attitude, you know, the license plates, the checkered floor, the same menu, same prices.”

Daddy O’s will continue its tradition of giving back, and both locations will host a small “take what you need, give what you can” food pantry in the foyer. The Ouellettes also plan to continue to host community fundraisers for Special Olympics, local food banks and other nonprofit organizations.

Amanda Ouellette has hired 25 employees who are already training at the Oxford location and two of the more experienced front-of-house and kitchen employees will help run the new location.

The Mechanic Falls Daddy O’s will have identical hours and days: Monday to Saturday 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sundays from 6 a.m. to noon, breakfast only.

No opening date will be announced but look for Daddy O’s to open “very soon.”

$16.9 million in construction permits approved in Auburn

The city of Auburn approved just under $17 million in construction permits in June and July, although the largest project in the report monetarily was reported in June 2022 at a higher estimated construction cost.

Developer A.R. Building Co. of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is building the Mt. Auburn Avenue Apartments at 138 and 142 Avenue next to BJ’s Wholesale Club. The complex, which broke ground over the winter, was approved for two 51-unit, four-story buildings June 26 with a combined estimated construction cost of $12.75 million. The project was permitted in June 2022 as a 128-unit complex at a cost of $14 million.

Those plans were modified late last year when the company changed its stormwater runoff plan, forcing it to reduce the number of units from 128 to 102. A spokesperson for the company confirmed they are still building 102 units, which will be about a 50/50 mix of one-bedroom and two-bedroom market-rate apartments. The complex will also feature a pool and a clubhouse/gym.

Auburn also approved the first two of five additional units at Stable Ridge Apartments at 555 Court St. at an estimated construction cost of $1.4 million each. Construction is underway. Each building will be three stories and house 12 apartments.

In March, the Planning Board approved American Development’s proposal for a second phase of the complex. When completed, there will be 120 apartments at Stable Ridge.

New brewery and taproom coming to Turner

Beer lovers in Turner will soon have a new brewery and taproom to enjoy their micro brewed suds. Hazywater Brewery and Taproom is closing in on wrapping up its renovation of the building that owner Bob Doyon purchased in April. He’s projecting a September or early October opening.

Doyon said eight taps are planned at opening, with four core beers: Honey Wheat, Pale Ale with Sweet Orange Peel, a Rye India Pale Ale and a Hazy NEIPA. He said all beers will be brewed in-house two-to-three times a week. He estimates 50,000 gallons will be produced annually to start, adding the brewery isn’t planning wholesale distribution at this time.

Doyon is planning to add authentic Neapolitan pizza, which the Doyon family is apparently well known for, in 2024 after the brewery has had some time to get established.

The property includes 10 acres, which Doyon said leaves room for expansion of the brewery, a few acres for growing hops, entertainment, an outdoor beer garden, all grain brewing classes, and hosting private parties and weddings.

Aroma Joe’s opens new Turner location

South Portland-based Aroma Joe’s has opened its latest location at 60 Auburn Road in Turner. The new quick-service coffee spot has a drive-thru and offers handcrafted coffee and espresso drinks, unique flavor infusions, energy drinks and all-day food options.

The franchisees are Wendy and Bob Levesque, lifelong residents of Turner. “It is so meaningful to become business owners here through Aroma Joe’s,” Wendy Levesque said. ““We can’t wait to see all the happy faces that drive through.”

Aroma Joe’s operates 107 locations across Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Florida, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The company calls itself a “major disruptor in the quick service coffee space,” with plans to open over 500 locations across the East Coast over the next eight years.

The Buzz offers quick hits about trending area business happenings. Have a Buzzable tip? Contact business writer Christopher Wheelock at 689-2817 or cwheelock@sunjournal.com

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