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Our History continued
In the early days the club could only acquire a liquor license by way
of carrying a hotel status, which at that time meant 10 or more hotel
rooms. The club added some eleven rooms and brought big bands from
Boston to the area through the thirties and early forties. The
club burned to the ground again in 1943. Black Joe rebuilt the
club again. Joe established a fine tradition of great food.
Mark Peterson was stationed at Loring Air Force Base in the 1950's.
He married Pierrette a St. John Valley native and moved to Minnesota,
Mark's hometown. A house builder, Mark and Pierrette lived in
Minnesota for 14 years but spent many vacations back in the county.
They purchased the Sporting Club and moved back permanently to Sinclair
in 1971. Pierrette and Mark Peterson carried on the tradition of
great food.
The Petersons started off by occupying the upstairs hotel rooms while
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| renting the first floor rooms.
This allowed them to maintain 10 rooms, the number
required to not jeopardize their liquor license. About 5 years
after purchasing the Sporting Club they removed all of the first floor
hotel rooms which is now where the lounge and bar area are today.
The removal of these rooms allowed them to change their status from
Hotel to Restaurant, by converting their status to a Restaurant they
were allowed
to maintain their liquor license. Like many other successful
businesses in Aroostook County, family has played a big part in the Long
Lake Sporting Club. The Peterson's son Mike, and daughter Debbie
were employed full-time at the business for many years.
In 1991, after running the business successfully for twenty years,
Mark and Pierrette decided to turn over their business to their daughter
Debbie and son-in-law Ken. As the second generation, Ken and
Debbie Martin took over the business and continued on with the fine
tradition of great food. Innovating and renovating, Ken and Debbie
have worked hard to keep up with the times, but also maintain the
restaurant's well known traditions.
Now a third generation family member, Neal Martin, is
also very involved with the restaurant serving as the restaurants head
chef. Neal is well known for pleasing his customers with his
excellent cooking. |
