We did it! The China Dine-ah Too was officially opened at 11 am EST on Monday June 24th.
We still have a couple of odds and ends to button up, but nothing that prevented us from opening on time.
This past week has been quite the experience,and it was an ingenious idea to have a soft opening without advertising. Our first three days, we served approximately 175 meals each day, and if we'd had a line at the door, the wait would have been more than I would have liked to have seen. As it was, all the meals had been prepared in approximately 10 minutes, even with several tickets hanging.
Early reviews are that people are absolutely loving it and we could not be happier! Once we get our roadside banners up and do a little advertising, the China Dine-ah Too is shaping up to be a big hit, both for the locals and those traveling on Route #3.
We will be doing a huge take out business and for those of you who have take out in mind, just call
445-5800 between the hours of 11 am and 8 pm, seven days a week. This year we will be open at least until Labor Day and possibly longer, with reduced hours.
We are not in the phone book, nor are we on any of the travel sites, at this time, so the only way you will find out about us is through this newsletter and some minor advertising, we will be doing along with our flagship Dine-ah. We are located next to the Family Dollar store, approximately two miles from where you have been enjoying home cooked meals for the past 5 years.
Once again I'd like to thank Laura from the Red Barn, who has been very helpful. The Red Barn, the China Dine-ah and the China Dine-ah Too are three family owned eateries that are working together to promote locally owned and operated businesses in the central Maine area. As Laura says, "Our competition are the big boys" (national chains) and we are both out to prove that we can stand toe to toe and compete in a free market place with any of them.
Hats off to you Laura and your staff for 37 years of service to our communities. Also, to you, Sherri and Meaghan, at the China Dine-ah, for your five years of service and best of luck to John and Ralph, as you assist me in creating another community asset for all to enjoy.
Laura Benedict owner of the Red Barn congratulating Norm (without glasses, having a hard time reading tickets!) at China Dine-ah Too!
Roger Cunningham, his daughter in law Tracy, and grandsons Colby, Gavin and Nolan, our first customers to China Dine-ah Too being welcomed by Norm and enjoying first meal! (For the record, Colby was our first customer, he has been talking to his Mom for the past month, even to the extent he was going to tent out in front of the Dine-ah Too if needed!)
Norm checking with customers and greeting his dear friend, Hack Dearnley
Norm talking with Hack and standing with Hack and Ralph Saban, recent golfing partners
Hustle and bustle of China Dine-ah Too - counter and kitchen in action!
"Back stage" in prep area at China Dine-ah Too
Finished landscaping at Dine-ah Too by Abby of Sweet Pea Landscaping of China, ME (taken before tables, chairs and umbrellas were in place)
Fan Zhou, (above and below), is the dad of Kun Zhou, an international student at Erskine Academy, who lives with Tiffany Glidden and Joe Plourde. Fan is an accountant and his wife Yafeng Zhou is a senior nurse at a hospital. Fan and Yafeng live in Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, China. Tiffany and Joe brought them into the China Dine-ah while they were visiting their son, Kun, here in the US. Please note the China Dine-ah shirt, half way across the world. Thank you Fan and Tiffany for sending the pictures and for dining with us. Note the Chinese architecture in the photo below.
Fan Zhou in China wearing his China Dine-ah t-shirt
Thanks for all your kind words and support over the past five years. You all now have another dining out option, which will be more fitting, if you are on the run. Speaking of on the run, I must get back out to the Dine-ahs and lend my support wherever needed.
Hope to see you all soon!
