Gallo & Gather owner not looking to close restaurants, though new operator sought

By Joshua Maloni

GM/Managing Editor

Though Michael Hibbard’s two Center Street restaurants are for sale, he does not intend to close either Lewiston eatery.

“We're still remaining open, and that's the biggest thing,” Hibbard said of Gallo Coal Fire Kitchen, at 402 Center St., and sister site Gather by Gallo, at 453 Center St. “People want to think the worst, and that's not the case. Gallo is still in operation, we're honoring gift cards – any gift certificates that were purchased – and we're staying open through the summer, and all banquets are honored.

“That's, I think, the biggest misconception thus far. We're just exploring options – just to see if there's any feelers out there to lease the spaces, run the business. There's a couple different options on that.”

Hibbard continued, “I've had a lot of opportunities that have arisen over this past year that just provided me some other outlets. My goal – I'm at a point in my life where I'm still young; I have a lot of opportunities that I want to pursue; and with this, we can still own and operate it, but not me do the daily grind every day. That's what I'm looking for.

“So, it would be great if they could purchase the businesses and the properties, but if there's somebody that wants to come in, lease the space, we help them with that transition, and then they kind of just take it over,” that also could work.

Gallo Coal Fire Kitchen

Gather by Gallo

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Gallo recently reopened for the summer season – it served solely as a banquet space during the winter.

At Gather, meanwhile, “We're actually in the process of trying to get that fully operational,” Hibbard said. “We had some hiccups with staffing at the beginning of the summer to get Gallo open, so we had to close (Gather). But we're fully intended on getting that space back up and running.”

Hibbard emphasized that, regardless of whether a new operator is found for his restaurants this summer, “We intend on staying open as long as possible.”

“We're looking forward to the summer and having a lot of events here on the patio” at Gallo, he said.

The original Gallo location opened almost exactly 10 years ago at 800 Center St., which was formerly Dennis Brochey's Automotive. It specialized in coal-fired pizza, plus wings, steaks, chops and salads. Gallo also showcased art created by local makers.

In 2021, Hibbard reimagined the space, reopening it as Gallo Loco. That concept focused on tacos (torta or bowl), fajitas, quesadillas, queso nachos and salads.

The site was sold and, in January 2023, Hustler’s Tavern took over 800 Center St.

Gallo Coal Fire Kitchen relocated to the corner of Center and North Fourth streets in the summer of 2021.

Hibbard opened Gather, an American eatery, in March 2020. The space had previously served as Center Cut: The Village Steakhouse. A popular bourbon club began last fall.

Today, between Gallo and Gather, “We have upwards of 30 (employees) right now – full-time, part-time – not all full-time,” Hibbard said.

He also owns a multiunit residential property behind Gallo, on Ridge Street.

“We completely renovated that, and we had occupants right away,” Hibbard said.