WESTBROOK – The Main Street Cafe? has closed its doors, making it the latest Westbrook restaurant casualty in a struggling economy.

The restaurant, located for 10 years at 888 Main St., officially served its final customers on Sunday, Oct. 3, according to its Facebook page.

Restaurant owner Mike LaChance declined to speak extensively about the closure, but cited the economy as a reason for the decision.

“Nobody’s eating out,” he said.

Keith Luke, Westbrook’s director of economic development, said it is always surprising when a business suddenly folds.

Luke noted the Main Street Cafe?’s closure is particularly stunning because it seemed to enjoy a level of popularity within the community. The restaurant also received a “glowing review” in the Portland Press Herald recently, he said.

According to LaChance, business was excellent for a period of time, but it was no longer enough to sustain operations.

The cafe?’s demise follows the closure of Thanksgiving’s Bakery and Eatery on Cumberland Street in July. Luke said the struggles of dining establishments here are typical of the difficulties restaurants are facing throughout the country.

“What we’re seeing now is a downtown … trying to figure out how many lunch-style eateries it can support,” he said.

The winter season has its ups and downs and Luke expressed concerns restaurants will continue to struggle.

The city offers assistance to business owners such as a micro-loan program, but, Luke said owners are often reluctant to get a loan they may not be able to pay back.

“They don’t need a loan, they need a lifeline,” Luke said. “It’s a struggle now.”

Luke said it is too soon to say what will fill the now-vacant Main Street Cafe?, but there is a good chance a new restaurant will take its place.

He just hopes the economy continues to improve so the next owners have a better shot at success.

“It’s going to be a lengthy process,” he said.

For some 10 years, the Main Street Café did business at 888 Main St. It closed Oct. 3. Staff photo by Joey Cresta