Forty years after it opened its doors, Margaritas in Orono has permanently closed.

On Friday, there was a sign on the door informing anyone who might show up to eat, that it is no longer open.

Margarita's Orono 2, Meghan Jordan
Margarita's Orono 2, Meghan Jordan
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Known for its signature salsa, brightly colored decor, and famous specialty margaritas, the restaurant has been a staple for many town residents and college students.

News of the restaurant's closure will certainly come as a surprise to many, as it did to me when I heard it.

As the phones at the Orono location have been disconnected, we reached out to management via email for comment and have not heard back yet.

Margaritas Orono Closure 'Difficult Decision'

However, a patron who contacted the restaurant asking about the closure was told via email, "[O]ur operator in Orono has made the difficult decision to close permanently. We sincerely appreciate the community's support over the years and hope to serve them once again in the future!"

The reply then encouraged the patron to visit the Ellsworth location.

Margaritas now has five locations in Maine, including those in Ellsworth, Augusta, Portland, Auburn, and Brunswick. The Orono location is no longer listed on the company's website.

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Margaritas in Orono Opened in 1985

According to the website, Franchise Times, the first Margaritas opened on Mill Street in Orono in 1985 and now has 25 locations nationwide.

As recently as 2023, this publication touted the restaurant franchise as being very forward-thinking, upgrading equipment and making some changes to their hours of operation in an attempt to keep their doors open amid a shaky economy after the COVID pandemic.

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"In a time, full of economic uncertainty, Margaritas has taken proactive steps to combat the labor shortage and maintain profitability.

From increasing efficiency to combating economic turmoil and revamping their restaurant design, the Margaritas team is paving the way for continued success.

Margarita's Orono 3, Meghan Jordan
Margarita's Orono 3, Meghan Jordan
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Over the last year, Margaritas launched a new loyalty program, mobile ordering app, and enhanced technology for ordering through third parties."

It appears that even with changes like opening after lunch and closing on Mondays, these moves weren't enough to keep the Orono location open.

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For many who lived in town or went to the University of Maine, along with Pat's Pizza, Margaritas has been a popular place to gather and eat, for decades. The last time I was there was just before taking in a Maine Hockey game with my family.

Margarita's Orono 4, Meghan Jordan
Margarita's Orono 4, Meghan Jordan
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We're not sure what might replace the iconic restaurant. What would you like to see go into the space?

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The Best Restaurants in Downeast Maine for Lobster

So when your hungry out-of-state relatives or friends come to our great state, where do you take them for a mouth-watering lobster dinner?

The answer to that often asked question will be top of mind for a lot of Mainers this season, as thousands of tourists, relatives, and friends drive hundreds if not thousands of miles to take in the sights and eat what our state is most famous for, lobster.

Whether it's a lobster salad, in a hot dog roll, a broiled tail, thrown into a pot of boiling sea water, or god forbid, made into a lobster poutine, people near and far crave it, and as soon as they make it into this neck of the woods it'll be what they have for dinner that night.

While each of us already have a few favorite snack bars, take-outs, and restaurants in mind, it would be wrong of this author to pass along those personal suggestions. So, we're going to rely on the reviews of TripAdvisor to point our visitors in the right directions. We've focused on the Ellsworth and Mount Desert Island area, and here is what we found as we count our way up to the #1 most recommended place for lobster Downeast.

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