Popular Maine Cocktail Bar Has a New Owner

According to an article on the WABI website, after a decade of operation, Happy Endings is getting a new owner.

The martini-and-small-plates spot, located on Bangor's Main Street, was originally opened as a late-night spot for dessert and drinks after having a meal at one of downtown Bangor's amazing restaurants.

Owner Melissa Smith said the ride that was owning the bar featured a lot of twists and turns.  The biggest of these was surviving the COVID-19 pandemic.  As we all know, the pandemic years brought about the end of more than a few restaurants and bars.

Now, with three other businesses to run alongside her husband and kids heading off to college, Smith decided it was time to step back. Several people were interested in taking over, but she chose 26-year-old Jarrod Chase, a former bartender from her Bangor restaurant 11 Central.

Handing over the keys is both exciting and emotional for Smith.  Happy Endings has been part of her identity for a decade, something she built from scratch.  Still, she says it feels right to pass it along to someone young, motivated, and ready to shape it into the next version of itself.

Chase brings about ten years of restaurant and service industry experience, but this marks his first step into ownership.  For him, it’s a chance to finally put all of his creative ideas into one place without limits. He plans to refresh both the food and drink menus and is aiming for a full rebrand into an Italian-style restaurant by late summer.  The Happy Endings name will stick around for now.

Smith sees the change as a passing of the torch to the next generation of downtown business owners.  Ten years in, she says it’s time for fresh eyes and fresh energy.

Chase hopes his leadership can help revive the lively downtown Bangor scene he remembers growing up with and create a new social hub that benefits neighboring businesses as well.

To mark the transition and her final weekend as owner, Smith says the bar will celebrate with drink specials, a Latin night, and more. A goodbye for her, but a brand-new chapter for the bar.

A grand opening of the new Happy Endings is planned for March 1st.