The Zoning Board of Appeals approved a seating surge for the Maine Bean Bakehouse & Deli in downtown North Windham just in time for tourist season.

Owner Tom Saunders said summer residents are already starting to pour in and he’s glad he finally has the right to increase the seating capacity of his restaurant from 88 to 136. He was turned down when he applied for a seating increase a few years ago.

“What originally happened is we didn’t have enough parking to add the number of seats we wanted,” said Saunders. A satellite parking lot with 51 additional spaces is now in place.

He said the new seats will be installed in the bookstore level below the deli counter and outside in back.

“The bookstore has been, basically, a break-even,” he said. He’s not sure if he will take out the bookstore in the next year.

Two conditions were wired into the approval. Saunders has to have the place inspected by a state fire marshal in case an evacuation is needed, and a new bathroom is to be installed.

“I thought the appeals board was very fair. Tough, but fair,” said Saunders.

Maine Bean Bakehouse & Deli, with its basement bookstore and wooden rafter network, is located off Route 302 and Saunders said the parking lot becomes a gallery of out-of-state license plates in the summer.