Maine Restaurateurs Expand to Waterville
New American chop house to open on Main Street
Andrew and Briana Volk and Colby College today announced that the Volks will open a new restaurant in the Bill & Joan Alfond Main Street Commons on Main Street, Waterville. The restaurant, to be called Verna’s All Day, builds on growing momentum that is making Waterville a dynamic food destination.
Verna’s, which is anticipated to open later this year, will be a casual, classic American chop house featuring locally sourced food from farmers, classic cocktails, and friendly service. Named after Briana Volk’s grandmother Verna, the restaurant aspires to be part of the community with classes, fundraisers, and events held throughout the year. Andrew Volk attended Colby and graduated in 2005 with an international studies degree.
“I am excited to be returning to Waterville and am excited about the changes the city, and Colby, have charted together,” said Andrew Volk. “Briana and I are thrilled to be able to be a part of the Waterville community, which is already incredibly strong and welcoming.”
The plans also include a small market and café that will be connected to the restaurant. Offering a range of prepared foods and convenience goods, the market will fill a need on Main Street by serving students, downtown employees, residents, and visitors to Waterville with fresh foods, great wine, and a place to meet, eat, and study.
“Three years ago, that block of Main Street was a vacant gap that wasn’t contributing to downtown’s vibrancy or Waterville’s tax or job base,” said Brian Clark, Colby’s vice president of planning. “The addition of Verna’s completes the transformation of that block, which now includes hundreds of students living downtown, the Chace Forum, and Camden National Bank, while advancing Waterville’s growing identity as a leading culinary destination in Maine.”
The announcement of Verna’s is one of a series of recent important developments in the ongoing resurgence and revitalization of Waterville. A little over a month ago, Bixby & Co., a chocolate-confections manufacturer based in Rockland, Maine, announced that this spring it will open a new retail shop and café at 173 Main Street. Colby also recently announced a $1-million commitment from Mark Hubbert ’79 to name “The Hub,” a dynamic new community gathering space that will be a central feature of the Paul J. Schupf Art Center on Main Street.
Additionally, construction of the Lockwood Hotel on Main Street in downtown Waterville is on schedule, with crews preparing to begin interior work and an expected opening in fall 2020.
Read a Morning Sentinel article about the announcement here.
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