WESTBROOK – Tim Hortons in Westbrook and North Windham closed unexpectedly Nov. 11, catching both employees and customers at the quick-serve coffee chain by surprise.

The stores closed the same day as Canada-headquartered Tim Hortons, which has around 3,700 locations, shuttered dozens of other restaurants in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Spokesman David Morelli said the local closures were the result of poor sales.

“Those two stores were doing well but not well enough. They were underperforming as opposed to other stores in the Maine region,” Morelli said. “It’s normal to close underperforming stores. It’s the normal course of business. But we’re actually opening two more stores in Maine, in Madawaska and Lincoln. So, we will still have 30 stores in Maine.”

The closure came as a surprise to customers, several of whom were stunned to see the “Store Closed” signs on the window as they drove through the parking lot Friday morning to get their customary cup of coffee.

Employees, too, were caught off guard, with several showing up for their shift, including Sandra Hatcher, Michelle Gildard and Ethan Harrington, who were congregating outside the 836 Roosevelt Trail location in Windham Friday morning. Despite losing their job without warning, none held any ill will for the franchise, which was operated by Shane and Rebecca Reagh of Windham.

“The owners treated me well. They worked with me regarding day care, and I would definitely want to work with them again if given the chance,” said Hatcher, a recent Florida transplant. “I’m definitely sad it’s closing. The work environment here was great. It’s been like a home away from home.”

Gildard was likewise sad to see the store and her job disappear. “It was a great job, great people to work with and a great store,” she said.

The Reaghs, who opened the store about five years ago and would work at both the Windham and Westbrook locations, declined to comment.

One customer who persevered to get her cup of joe was Dana Ryerson of Gorham, who was planning to get an egg salad sandwich and coffee at Tim Hortons prior to going to work further north on Route 302. Upon exiting the Hortons parking lot, however, Ryerson noticed a sign for The Coffee Capp, which is located directly across Route 302 from Tim Hortons and has been competing for coffee-related sales ever since the Canadian chain set up shop half a decade ago. Ryerson was pleasantly surprised as she walked in to the small shop and noticed the sandwich special was egg salad.

“Are you kidding me? That’s what I was going to order at Tim Hortons,” she told Kathy Locke, who first opened The Coffee Capp at the corner of routes 35 and 302, also known as Boody’s Corner, 17 years ago. She’s had the small shop beside Pratt Abbott cleaners for about a decade and recently installed a horseshoe-shaped drive-through lane.

Ryerson was happy to support The Coffee Capp, and Locke was happy to have her business. Locke said she “definitely” has seen an uptick in business in the wake of Tim Hortons’ closing.

Kathy Locke, owner of The Coffee Capp, makes change for Dana Ryerson, right, of Gorham, who bought a sandwich and coffee at Locke’s establishment after trying to visit the now-closed Tim Hortons. The Canada-based chain closed the North Windham and Westbrook locations Nov. 12.
Staff photo by John Balentine