The short-lived Stirling and Mull gastropub in Freeport has been purchased by outdoor retailer L.L. Bean.

The 175 Lower Main St. restaurant opened last July and closed abruptly early last winter. The 6,400-square-foot eatery is situated on 1.8 acres adjacent to L.L. Bean’s headquarters.

Mac McKeever of L.L. Bean said the company has no specific plans yet regarding the land or facility, but said that since it abuts their property it could be an “enhancement to their campus headquarters in the future.”

Owners Ed and Shana McLean posted signs of trouble on their company website back in April, first with an April 18 post citing repairs to the beer lines as a reason for postponing their reopening.

“Looks like a marathon session with the repair guy scheduled on Friday, so unfortunately we probably won’t be up and running this week. We could be good to go by Tuesday, but that is if everything goes well on Friday. I suspect that seeing as the gremlins are fighting us a bit that it will more likely be Thursday or Friday next week,” the post read.

Ten days later, the website reported the beer lines were fixed and cleaned, as well as repairs to the freezer, walk-in and beer refrigerator. Then the post takes a turn, saying they had received an offer to buy the restaurant out and accepted it.

Attempts to reach the McLeans regarding the sale have been unsuccessful.

dmcintire@timesrecord.com