Why Takeout Station closed its doors in Exeter after only six months

EXETER — After only six months of operation, the Takeout Station offering “good eats off the rails” has run out of steam.

The walk-up restaurant at the train station in downtown Exeter announced the closure on its Facebook page.Owner K.C. Cargill and chef Brian Colford opened the take-out restaurant at 64 Lincoln St. in November with the goal of bringing train-goers something more than the average fast-food joint. The menu included Puff the Magic Dragon with Korean dragon spiced chicken, slaw, lemon-cilantro aioli on a sesame bun and the Off the Rails Turkey Melt with turkey, cheddar, avocado, sweet onions, chipotle and bacon.

“I know people like the idea of it, but it’s just not financially the greatest idea,” Cargill said.

Cargill, who along with his wife Alexis Wile-Cargill co-owns Lexie’s, said the decision to close the Takeout Station came down to the volume of traffic.

“It’s just not as busy as it should be,” he explained.

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Takeout Station regulars come out one last time

The restaurant was busier than normal on Friday after the owners announced on Facebook their last day would be May 27.

By noon, just an hour after opening, one of their best-sellers, the Silly Philly, was already sold out. The Silly Philly is a steak frites sandwich with shaved steak, onions, peppers, provolone and horseradish over steak fries in a roll, according to Colford.

“If it was doing what it was doing this week, we wouldn’t be having this conversation,” said Cargill.

Many regulars came to the Takeout Station one last time, including Mike Morin, of the Exeter Fire Department. He said the Takeout Station has been a go-to eatery for some of the firefighters for its “good food, good customer service and quick pick-up time.”

Karla Killerby, who owns the neighboring Trackside Café, said it was sad to see the eatery close.

“You should try everything at least once,” she said. “They do a really good job of making gourmet sandwiches from scratch.”

Scott Thomas, who joined the town’s Parks and Recreation Department in March, said driving to the Takeout Station for lunch had become part of his routine. His go-to sandwich was the Silly Philly and he said he was surprised to hear that they are closing. He said he “hopes to see them open back up” in the future.

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Cargill said the concept of the Takeout Station could work in a different location.

“I’m not against it (the idea),” Cargill said. "I just think we need to move it somewhere else — it has to be a sit-down and we’d have to serve beers or cocktails.”

Colford, who has been running the Takeout Station’s day-to-day operation, said he’s been touched by the support of the community.

“I’ve loved the support and all the regulars that we’ve had,” he said. “It’s been an amazing opportunity … I wish I could’ve been here longer.”

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Colford was recruited to be the chef of the Takeout Station by Cargill. He previously managed Lexie’s in Dover.

While he has no culinary degree, Colford worked at Martingale Wharf, and in the kitchen, he found his passion. He studied meticulously from chefs like the Wharf’s Matt Provencher, becoming sous-chef at Anneke Jans in Kittery in 2018.

Cargill said Colford will remain working with him at Lexie’s newest sister restaurant, Great Island Eatery. The new restaurant will open at the Wentworth by the Sea Marina in mid-June.

“Sometimes when you see talent like Brian (Colford), you see the bigger picture,” said Cargill. “That’s why we’re moving him to a much bigger venue. He’s going to have a good 80 to 90 seats, he’s going to be on the water — he’s going to be more pronounced there.”