Sergeant Spencer’s Lunch Wagon opens
DOVER-FOXCROFT – For over nine years, locals and seasonal tourists had come to love Tom Spencer’s cooking and baking, and were able to find it at Spencer’s Bakery before its doors closed for the last time at the conclusion of his lease. Soon after, much to the joy of residents and long-time customers, Spencer partnered with Bob Ade at Dover-Foxcroft’s Pat’s Pizza to bring Spencer’s breakfast – with a revised menu — back to the community.
It was a win-win arrangement for both men; Ade had planned, in the near future, to extend his restaurant’s hours to include breakfast, and Spencer knew he wasn’t quite ready to hang up his apron. He had been looking for a new location, so the timing of this unexpected partnership was perfect. Today, as Pat’s Pizza continues to offer breakfast each morning, Spencer is beginning his next culinary venture, this time focusing on lunch.
Photo courtesy of Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce
SERGEANT SPENCER’S LUNCH WAGON — Long-time area restauranter Tom Spencer offers lunch at Sergeant Spencer’s Lunch Wagon in the Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce parking lot on South Street in Dover-Foxcroft. Lunch is available weekdays with all Monday sales benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project.
“I remember a conversation I had with Tom a couple of years ago,” said Denise Buzzelli, executive director of the Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce, “he explained he wanted to open a lunch wagon one day, so I knew it was just a matter of time; once Tom puts his mind to something, there’s no stopping him.”
Sergeant Spencer’s Lunch Wagon will be easy to spot as folks drive pass the Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce they will notice a fenced-off area for customers and a picnic table for seating. The menu and prices are posted on the outside of the colorful wagon, boasting a wider-than-you’d-expect variety of foods at very affordable prices. The interior of the wagon features a spotless stainless-steel kitchen with everything Sergeant Spencer will need to prepare items such as grilled sandwiches, fried baskets, lobster rolls and salads, burgers, dogs, and great sides; just to name a few.
Passers-by are already excited, pulling over and shouting, “You open yet?” as Tom prepared for his opening day on July 4 with great anticipation. He explains, “I am excited to get this up and running. I am so thankful to every person who helped make Spencer’s Bakery a success and I look forward to continuing those relationships — those who called me, wrote letters just to wish me luck and tell me they couldn’t wait until I opened again.” He continues, “I will continue to offer fresh, wholesome foods at the lunch wagon. I am thankful to be located adjacent to the Chamber, with plenty of parking for my customers.”
The Piscataquis Chamber also offers its parking lot to the Dover Cove Farmers Market on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Buzzelli explains, “We love having the Farmer’s Market here and we are thrilled to have a Sergeant Spencer’s Lunch Wagon outside our doors. It draws more folks into the chamber where we can talk to them about other events, activities and businesses they should visit while they are in our region. It is a draw, and we’ll take it!”
Sergeant Spencer’s Lunch Wagon will accept cash only, and will be open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Spencer will offer daily specials and Fridays customers can participate in a weekly drawing, or just drop in for a bowl of his famous homemade haddock chowder. Spencer will donate 100 percent of his sales each Monday to his favorite charity, the Wounded Warriors Project.
“I look forward to seeing everyone again,” Spencer said.