A beloved fixture in Aroostook County, the Burger Boy restaurant in Caribou has been sold at a foreclosure auction for $155,000. The sale took place on November 24, 2023, according to the Portland-based Keenan Auction Company, which kept the buyer’s identity confidential due to privacy concerns. This marks the conclusion of a tumultuous period for the diner, which has been a community staple since its establishment in 1968.
The auction was initially set for October 7, 2023, but was postponed to late November. Throughout this period, Burger Boy remained operational, as owner Dustin Mancos faced significant financial challenges. The restaurant defaulted on its mortgage with the First National Bank of Damariscotta earlier this year, leading to the foreclosure proceedings.
Records from the Southern Aroostook Registry of Deeds reveal that Mancos and his operating company owe the city of Caribou and the state of Maine substantial sums in unpaid taxes. The Maine Department of Labor has filed three tax liens against the J.F. Liquidating Corp. for unpaid unemployment taxes, interest, and penalties exceeding $12,000. Additionally, the company owes $2,731.78 in Maine sales and use taxes and at least $3,851.32 in property taxes to Caribou.
In a ruling from the Bangor District Court on September 15, 2023, Judge Jon A. Haddow ordered Mancos to settle debts totaling $21,291.94, which included interest and legal fees to Dennis Food Service, a wholesaler based in Hampden. Mancos previously filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Maine Bankruptcy Court in October 2023, but the case was dismissed during a hearing on the same day as the auction.
In an effort to save the restaurant, Mancos appealed to the community for donations on social media. He expressed his deep concern for the future of Burger Boy, stating, “My biggest fear isn’t just losing the building, it’s that Burger Boy could go to auction and be turned into something it’s not, and all of that community spirit would be lost too. This restaurant has soul. It’s a part of Caribou’s identity, and I want to keep it that way.”
Mancos, who had worked at Burger Boy before purchasing the restaurant in 2020, had previously owned Winnie’s Restaurant in Presque Isle and opened B-52 Pizza in Limestone in 2021, both of which have since closed. His vision for Burger Boy included a modern redesign with a comic-book aesthetic, aimed at attracting a new generation of customers.
The restaurant has long been celebrated for its distinctive sawtooth roof and Googie architecture, serving a variety of dishes, particularly its renowned burgers. In 2017, Down East magazine recognized Burger Boy’s burgers as among the best in Maine, further solidifying its place in the community’s heart.
The sale of Burger Boy signifies the end of an era, leaving many in Caribou and beyond reflecting on the diner’s impact on local culture and community spirit.
