HOULTON, Maine — Another long-tenured downtown business will be closing its doors in a couple of weeks as the owners of The Vault Restaurant made the surprising announcement over the weekend.
Owners Rob Lawless and Kathryn Harnish announced via the restaurant’s Facebook page over the weekend and confirmed the announcement Monday morning.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce our decision to cease operations at The Vault Restaurant, effective Saturday, Nov. 18,” the couple stated on their Facebook page. “This is, without a doubt, one of the hardest decisions we’ve ever made, and we are extremely sad to close the doors of one of Houlton’s favorite gathering places.”
The couple took over the restaurant in February 2016 when they purchased the business from Ralph and Miriam Zuriak. The Zuriaks operated the restaurant for 11 years prior to that.
Lawless and Harnish also are owners of Took a Leap Farm — a small dwarf goat farm and creamery well-known in northern Maine for its inventive and gourmet cheeses and also are actively involved in the Houlton Community Market during the summer months.
Took a Leap Farm opened in May of 2012 on the B Road in Houlton.
“We’ve always believed in devoting our full selves to the opportunities we pursue,” the release stated. “It’s this philosophy that has driven us, both at The Vault and at Took a Leap Farm, our goat farm and creamery. Over the past 18 months, we’ve put our hearts and souls into owning The Vault, often at the expense of other important things: our animals and farm business, our physical health, our personal happiness, and our overall quality of life. We don’t regret the experience, which has been incredibly rewarding, but we’ve gradually come to realize that this is not a lifestyle we wish to sustain.”
The couple added they were proud of their active advocacy for a fair minimum wage for all Mainers, including tipped employees. In addition, they have been staunch supporters of groups such as the Ark Animal Sanctuary, A Life Line, EqualityMaine, the Maine Democratic Party, Aroostook Organizing for Democracy, and many others.
“We truly appreciate the community’s support,” Lawless said.
By closing the restaurant, Lawless can devote more of his time to the goat farm, while Harnish has taken on a role as senior vice president of product strategy at Innovative Interface, Inc., a California-based library software company.
“Our work has been made easier by the friendships, some new, some long-standing, that have grown along with us at the restaurant, the release stated. “It’s impossible to thank everyone individually for the encouragement and support that we’ve received over the past 18 months.”
Lawless said the couple may entertain offers to purchase the restaurant in the future, but for the moment, they were focused on getting through the next few weeks.
“We are considering options for the future of the restaurant/space,” Harnish said. “We have had a few [conversations] about new opportunities there and welcome more. (We) would definitely like to see a great dining spot continue downtown.”
