[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 132 (Thursday, September 8, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5450-S5451]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING DIMILLO'S FLOATING RESTAURANT

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, there are small businesses in cities 
and town across America that are local landmarks for a variety of 
reasons--whether they serve exceptional food, create a fun atmosphere, 
or possess a unique character. One such small business, DiMillo's 
Floating Restaurant in Maine's largest coastal city of Portland, enjoys 
all of these traits, and has been a community favorite since opening 
its doors in its current location in 1982. Today I commend DiMillo's 
for its remarkable achievements and determined resilience, and to 
highlight its remarkable story.
  DiMillo's restaurant began serving some of Portland's favorite meals 
in 1982 after many reinventions of creator Tony DiMillo's dream. Tony 
opened his first restaurant, Anthony's, on Fore Street in 1954. After 
two relocations of the restaurant, he settled on changing his company's 
name to that of his last name, and moved the restaurant to Portland's 
scenic waterfront after purchasing the abandoned Long Wharf. Tony 
quickly evolved his business from a single restaurant to a multi 
faceted empire by creating DiMillo's Marina and eventually DiMillo's 
Yacht Sales, all on the newly renovated wharf.
  The flagship of the DiMillo spirit lies in DiMillo's Floating 
Restaurant, a refurbished car ferry that originally ran between 
Delaware and New Jersey. By the time the DiMillo family purchased the 
vessel in 1980, its fate was sealed as a popular landmark of the 
Portland waterfront. DiMillo's Floating Restaurant is one of the 
largest converted ferries of its kind and is able to accommodate over 
600 guests at any given time. The restaurant offers patrons a wide 
variety of the Gulf of Maine's bounty, from lobsters and haddock to 
scallops and clams. In homage to the family's Italian ancestry, 
DiMillo's also offers a number of both unique and classic Italian 
dishes, from seafood scampi to ricotta meatballs.
  Like so many small Maine businesses, DiMillo's has been forced to 
adapt to the persistent economic downturn, as well as today's rising 
energy costs. Recently, the company announced that it will be raising a 
35-foot wind turbine to help cut the cost of the electrical needs of 
the business. As part of their movement towards sustainability, 
DiMillo's has also pledged to consider adding solar panels to its 
energy future.

[[Page S5451]]

  It is with great pride that I acknowledge the successes of small, 
family-owned businesses, because these are the firms that help maintain 
the character and virtue of Main Street America. The long-term success 
and longevity of DiMillo's Restaurant and the entire DiMillo family is 
a byproduct of strong work ethic, responsive customer service, and a 
high level of quality.
  The motto of the DiMillo family has always been, ``A tradition of 
excellence for generations to come.'' And these words continue to ring 
true today, whether it is through their efforts at the restaurant, the 
marina, or in their yacht sales business. DiMillo's is an excellent 
example of our nation's unique and celebrated entrepreneurial spirit. I 
congratulate everyone in the DiMillo's businesses for their resilience 
and dedication to the community of Portland, and wish them many years 
of continued success.

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