About Us
The fall of 1976 was the year that Lloyd Cuttler, co-owner of Gepetto’s, took leave of his job as an engineer in Boston and moved the entire Village West complex from 8 miles down the road, to the location you now sit in. Gepetto’s opened its doors December 27th of 1976 to a packed house and has remained that way ever since for over 28 years.. and counting!
It was 1981 that co-owner Tiger Bragdon came to Gepetto’s. Tiger brought with him the two ingredients that most exemplifies Gepetto’s…good food and good times. Of course, with two owners as diverse and untamable as Lloyd and Tiger, they needed someone who could not only keep them in line, but also take care of all the day-to-day work that is required in a restaurant as busy as Gepettos. Jenny Needham, manager of Gepetto’s, is the person that makes it all happen every day. The employees at Gepetto’s are the remaining piece of the puzzle as to why Gepettos remains the “place to be at Sugarloaf” year after year. Our employees further magnify the enthusiasm and commitment that Lloyd, Tiger, and Jenny bring to Gepettos. We thank you for joining us at Gepetto’s and sharing this very special area we call Sugarloaf.
Our newest addition at Gepettos is the scale model of the Jubilee. The Jubilee is a classic Maine fishing boat that is responsible for a great deal of the fresh fish you enjoy daily at Gepetto’s. Fishing out of Bristol Maine, the Jubilee has a rich and diverse history that truly typifies the uniqueness of the Sugarloaf area. Built in 1977, the Jubilee began its journey as a shrimp boat in the gulf waters off Florida. It seems that the original owners of the Jubilee were having trouble making ends meet in the shrimp business, and somehow the Jubilee entered a life of “crime”, sailing between the southern Carribean and the Maine coast! It is at this time in the ship’s history that the “Sugarloaf connection” begins. (No, it’s not what you think!)
In 1986 the Jubilee was captured in the Maine waters off Stonington carrying the largest amount of marijuana ever seen in the state of Maine (25 tons). The bust was carried out by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, which at that time was headed by none other than agent Ron Moody. Yes, the same Ron Moody who is now police chief of Carrabassett Valley and long time resident of the area. The Jubilee was now a “ward” of the state. Placed on the auction block in 1987, (must have been a quick trial!) Its present owner, Dale Prentice, purchased it. Dale is a long time avid skier at Sugarlaof, and spends those cold winter months living in a condo above Gepetto’s. (Sure makes seafood deliveries easy!) The ship you see in the restaurant is an exact scale model right down to the Heineken beer can in the wheelhouse, and we ask that you look and enjoy…but please do not touch.
