Work Progressing On New Augusta, Maine Popeye’s Restaurant

Even though we have seen our share of Central Maine restaurants close over the last few years, we have been lucky enough to see a bunch open, too.

El Agave, State Lunch, Asian Noodle Bowl, and Harvest Moon Deli, to name just a few.

Now, it looks like the Augusta area is getting closer to getting a Popeye's fried chicken restaurant.

Back in June, we learned that the vacant Western Avenue lot that had previously been home to a Friendly's restaurant was going to become a Popeye's location.  According to a KJ article, the restaurant would have a small dining area, but would be geared toward take-out orders.  Over concerns about traffic backups, the drive-thru for the location will be designed to accommodate over a dozen waiting cars.

While we still do not have a concrete opening date for the new location, it does appear that work is progressing.  The area, which has been fenced off, has signs that the construction equipment on site has been used to start the process.

According to the chain's website, the first location opened in the New Orleans area in 1972.  Back then, it was known as Chicken On The Run.  In 1976, the first Popeye's locations opened.  Currently, the chain has about 2,500 location.

When we get more details about the opening of the new location, we'll pass them onto you.  In the meantime, you can check out the chain's locations in West Gardiner (at the service plaza), Lewiston, South Portland, and Kennebunk.