BIDDEFORD  — Biddeford’s burgeoning culinary scene has been the subject of much attention lately. 

Several establishments, including Cowbell Burger Bar, The Hamburger Stand and Dirigo Brewing Compay have opened shop over the past year, and soon a wine bar will open downtown on Main Street.

Several existing eateries also have captured national attention in recent years. Last year, Palace Diner was placed on Eater’s list of “America’s Essential Restaurants,” receiving rave reviews from writer Bill Addison for its Deluxe sandwich.

“It was the best breakfast sandwich I’ve ever had,” Addison wrote. “The care in its construction led each element to come together in fresh harmony.”

And now, another big name in Maine’s restaurant scene is expanding its culinary endeavors into Biddeford.

Big Tree Hospitality, owners of Portland’s popular restaurants Hugo’s, Eventide Oyster Co. and The Honey Paw, has announced its plans to expand the Eventide brand into Boston, and has selected Biddeford as its new corporate headquarters.

Andrew Taylor, a chef-owner of the company, said Eventide will be opening a counter service version of the renowned restaurant in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston in late spring, and will be opening a new office and commissary kitchen in Building 10 of the Pepperell Mill Campus slated to open in mid-March.

“We think that Eventide just has a lot of possibilities,” Taylor said. “We’re excited to bring Maine to, and represent Maine and represent the brand, in the southern New England area.”

The brand’s owners, which also include General Manager Arlin Smith and fellow chef-owner Mike Wiley, already own an office in Building 13 of the complex, above Portland Pie Co., but are one of the first two businesses to sign a lease for Building 10.

The building has been undergoing extensive renovations as part of the massive redevelopment efforts of the complex, and the 6,000-square-foot kitchen will serve as the building’s anchor, mill officials have said.

Taylor said the kitchen will serve as a test kitchen for the award-winning business and also as a hub for both cleaning seafood and baking breads for the Portland and Boston restaurants.

It’s an exciting addition to Biddeford’s downtown, given the restaurant group’s notoriety. 
In 2015, Taylor and Wiley were nominated for prestigious James Beard Awards in the Best Chef: Northeast category for their work at Eventide. The Honey Paw was also declared a semifinalist for a James Beard Award in 2016 in the Best New Restaurant category.

Eventide Oyster Co. — known for its famous brown butter lobster roll — has for the past two years also been placed on Eater’s list of essential restaurants. Both times it was featured on the “National 38” list of essential restaurants to dine at across the country.

And, while the trio isn’t planning on opening an Eventide restaurant in Biddeford anytime soon, Taylor said they’re not ruling out the possibility of a local restaurant in the future.

“(A restaurant) is not what we’re focused on right now. I would be lying if I said it’s not a potential part of the future, but right now the way we’re sort of licensed we’re just doing the commissary kitchen,” he said. “I could envision a future where there’s a retail location.”

But, Taylor said, the group is excited to be part of Biddeford’s growth and development.

“The goal is sort of motivation to clean and open that building up, which we’re just thrilled about,” Taylor said. “We’re really excited about being in Biddeford, being part of Biddeford growing and expanding.

“We just think there’s so much potential there, and it makes sense for us geographically,” he added.

News of Eventide’s expansion comes as mill officials have announced that commercial occupancy in the Pepperell complex increased by about 40,000 square feet in 2016 through both construction and leasing.

New tenants to the complex include eateries, such as Sweet Cream Ice Cream, hair salons, art galleries and a recording studio. Currently, there are more than 100 businesses located within the Pepperell Mill Campus.

Taylor said it’s more than just his business partners who are excited. His staff, he said, is thrilled to be part of the development, as well.

“A huge portion of our staff is extremely excited,” he said. “I’m amazed at how many people are jumping at the bit to be down there. Nobody has any reservations about being outside Portland.”

— Staff Writer Alan Bennett can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or abennett@journaltribune.com.