By David Harry
Staff Writer

The razing of Red’s Dairy Freeze in South Portland on Monday brought down a local landmark and left loyal customers of the 58-year-old ice cream shop eager for the opening of the new store.
“I want it to open so my new neighbors can see how good it is,” said Patrick Martin, 10, who lives up Meetinghouse Hill from Red’s.
Martin, his father, Randy Martin, and about three dozen onlookers gathered about 8:30 a.m. to watch a Maietta Construction crane knock down the store that had burned in May.
The turnout was gratifying to Red’s owner Chris Bolling.
“It was a very emotional day, there was a great outpouring of support,” Bolling said. He took over the shop about 30 years ago from his father, Leonard “Red” Bolling.
Bolling said he took a last walk through the store Sunday.
“It was just hard to believe everything happened. The fire was a total shock,” he said.
After Red’s was knocked off its foundation by a backhoe, the roof and walls were scooped up and dropped into a trailer. Flecks of sawdust wafted into a drizzling rain. The job was interrupted as workers saved the vibrant red letters that beckoned sweet tooths to the corner of Cottage Road, Richland Street and Highland Avenue.
“I had not even thought of that,” Bolling said. “They will be a treasured souvenir.”
As she watched from across Richland Street, Marlene Tordoff said Red’s provided sweet treats for her and a job for her daughter, Amy Tordoff France, almost 15 years ago.
“Everyone is waiting to put in orders,” Tordoff said, echoing other patrons eager for a new Red’s.
Bolling said plans for a slightly larger Red’s are in the works, but he’s not sure if it will open this year. The total cost of rebuilding is still unknown, and he is waiting for an insurance settlement on equipment from the restaurant.
The new equipment will be custom made, and Bolling said there may not be time to order and install it before the store’s usual closing date in late October or early November.
Last spring, South Portland Fire Department Lt. Robb Couture said a malfunctioning restroom exhaust fan caused the early morning fire that destroyed Red’s interior. The fire occurred May 17 as Bolling was preparing for the busiest time of year.
The loss of the shop was particularly acute because the summer has been so warm and sunny, he said.
“I was hoping to have been back to work by now. But I’ve had a summer off. That has never happened before,” he said.
Bolling said he might have been 5 years old the first time he served soft ice cream at Red’s.
The new shop will be slightly larger to meet updated code requirements and allow for handicapped-accessible restrooms.
As the Martins watched remnants of Red’s get scooped away, Randy Martin said the impact of the fire affected his entire family.
“My daughter, Elisa, was devastated. Her whole summer was ruined,” he said. “If they do open, they will be packed.”
South Portland resident Jessica Williams ventured out to watch the demolition with her children Clara Watson, 5, and August Watson, 3. She is eager to see a new Red’s rise.
“It is always the first place we go in the spring,” she said.

Staff writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219