Combining his culinary skills, military discipline, and a passion for the city of Berlin, Adam Hammill created a winning recipe to become the owner of Exile Burrito.
Hammill served in the U.S. Coast Guard for 12 years and earned a degree in psychology expecting to follow a very different career path. But while working for the federal prison on Berlin, he realized Berlin had no quick service restaurants and no burritos, and he decided to fill this hole in the market.
“Before I started looking for a location, my wife and I would set up at the Gorham Farmers Market. We created social media pages for Exile Burrito. The Facebook groups in Berlin and Gorham are very active and very supportive. So, we decided to move forward if we could find an affordable building.”
Hammill says it all came together when Berlin Main Street Program bought a building in an IRS auction. “That was a blessing, they bought it for less than $10,000 and resold it to us for that. There was a tax bill due, but the city was willing to help bring that down. Finally, I felt safe and secure leaving my job at the federal prison.”
That was March 2020 and the pandemic struck. But when construction was deemed an essential industry, Hammill says he made the leap and got to work turning “a dingy old Chinese restaurant” into a modern, eclectic eatery.
The first six months he took orders at the door and relied on outdoor seating. “The people of Berlin and Gorham showed up for us, and we have been able to turn a profit year after year,” he says. Exile Burrito grew revenue by 165% between 2020 and 2022.
Hammill says he is committed to providing great food and customer service as well as solid employment by promoting diversity and creating a place with work-life balance. Rather than additional locations, he is exploring other restaurant ideas. “I am working hard to cheerlead for Berlin. If I expand it will be something else our community needs.”
Current Issue - April 2024