Camden — Dave Robichaud owner and operating manager of Cappy’s, said the restaurant’s bakery will be open all year, the first time in Cappy’s history that the bakery has kept winter hours. Robichaud said it was simply a matter of choice on the previous owner’s part not to open and the new owners decided to give it a try.

“Heat was the only thing we needed to add because there was no heat and business-wise we felt as though it would be a smart move,” said Robichaud. “We’re doing a lot more product on our own that we want to introduce for the holidays. We’ll open upstairs in the dining room for the first time on Thanksgiving and we felt it would be advantageous to keep the bakery open, as well.”

What is new on the menu?

“All kinds of holiday cookies, breads and cakes and a wide variety of pies,” said Robichaud. “For the holiday meal we’re offering savory dinner products. We’ll offer everything from vegetables and stuffing to mashed potatoes, gravies, chutneys and cranberry sauces, anything that can help spice up your holiday meal. We’ll see what happens over the course of the winter. It all has to do with the severity of it and how well the town keeps our street clear, but we’ll definitely be open through the holidays.”

Cappy’s just finished its first season since the recent expansion and renovations. How did it go?

“Business has been very good,” said Robichaud. “We feel very fortunate and blessed. It has been a great summer. Hopefully, we can think of things to entice people to come in during the winter. We plan on doing some music and specialty dinners.”

Are you happy with the renovations and how the place looks?

“It looks great, I think,” said Robichaud. “I’m happy with the renovations and the feedback I’ve gotten from locals and tourists, everyone seems to like it. We feel like it’s been this way for the entire 35 years we’ve been open. I’m originally from Michigan, but have been here for 36 years. I had a business on Bay View Street and another one in Thomaston. Johanna, who was the previous owner, has been a friend of mine for 34 years and I’ve worked a lot with the restaurant and in the restaurant in various capacities over the years.”

Any plans for changes, or more renovations?

“We are going to do some things over the winter,” said Robichaud. “Exactly how extensive I’m not sure yet. But we have to join the back ends of the building so it’s more convenient to get from kitchen to kitchen. When we do that we hope to move our office spaces up to the third floor in our new space and when we do that our current office space will become another dining room for private functions.”

How do you think the town feels about a new owner of Cappy’s?

“Everyone has been very receptive,” said Robichaud. “I think many people thought I already owned it because they’ve seen me here managing it for many years, so I don’t think it was really noticed other then the fact we expanded and took over the Village Restaurant space. The town has been very encouraging about that.”