FARMINGTON —  Camden National Bank bought back the former Granary Brew Pub & Restaurant on Pleasant Street at a foreclosure auction last week.

The bank will place the property up for sale through a Realtor, Jennifer Roper, marketing and communications spokesman for the bank, said.

Camden National was the mortgage holder when the business went through bankruptcy. The bank put it up for auction and ended up buying it back, she said.

Keenan Auction Co. held an auction for the property Nov. 29. A separate auction was held on the equipment.

The large two-story building was once a mill and store that developed after the railroad came to Farmington. It’s still a sturdy building, Code Enforcement Officer Steve Kaiser said.

After many years as the W.W. Small Store, the property was renovated and became a restaurant. The last restaurant owner, Richard Griswold, closed the business in March 2011. 

Initially the Griswolds and their son, Brett, and daughter-in-law, took on the restaurant. The son served as chef and general manager but he died a few years ago leaving Griswold to keep the restaurant running while working another job, Griswold said.

Except for apartments and a storefront tenant, the building has remained empty since the spring of 2011.

Kaiser and fire Chief Terry Bell have recently inspected the property to ensure the safety of tenants in four apartments on the second floor. The building had some damage to sills when water backed up in the alley on the north side of the building, Kaiser said.

Some cosmetic work is needed in the restaurant portion, but it’s still a good, sturdy building, he said.

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