Restaurant Owner Clashes With City Over Rule Changes

SANFORD, Maine - A popular Sanford restaurant that sits on city property may have to make some changes in order to stay open.
 
WGME-TV reports the Cockpit Cafe has sat largely unchanged at the Sanford Seacoast Regional Airport for three decades. City officials are asking restaurant owner Rene Bernier to modernize the eatery as the airport is upgraded.
 
Mayor Tom Cote says the city would like the cafe to accept credit cards, serve alcohol and add extended weekend hours along with outdoor seating. Cote maintains the city isn't trying to close the establishment.
 
Bernier says she doesn't mind allowing credit card payments. However, the restaurant owner says the other changes will force her out of business.
 
The city council is scheduled to vote on the Cockpit Cafe's lease renewal Tuesday.