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An Old Orchard Beach motelier has opened a brewery and restaurant in the former home of Lone Pine Brewing Company.

Joe Rousseau, who owns The Executive Motel and Crosswinds Cottages, opened Old Orchard Brewing Company last week.

“It’s a great location,” Rousseau said. “So far, it’s been actually really great.”

Old Orchard Brewing Company, located at 32 E. Grand Ave., offers beer on tap, plus cocktails, pizza, soup, salad and nachos. There’s an outdoor patio, too.

Customers enjoy nachos and beer at Old Orchard Brewing Company. (Photo courtesy of Joe Rousseau)

Lone Pine Brewing Company, which Rousseau helped bring to town, closed in late September.

Rousseau celebrated Old Orchard Brewing Company’s opening with a “pretty big” first day. He said the first weekend was steady, and he expects the brewery to become a hangout spot for locals.

“There aren’t a lot of breweries down here,” Rousseau said. “It’s something to bring down to Old Orchard Beach and add to the community. We’ve had a lot of locals come in excited to see it open.”

In the future, Rousseau hopes to begin brewing his own beer. (Right now, he’s waiting on permits from the state.) It’s not something he’s well-versed in, but he’s excited to try it.

“It’ll be a new experience,” he laughed.

As tourist season comes to a close, Rousseau plans to offer game nights, open mic nights and trivia events as a way to get people through the door and connect with the community during the winter.

And next summer, he plans to bring live music to the brewery.

“The sky’s the limit,” Rousseau said.

Old Orchard Brewing Company is open 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.