If you're wondering why Camden and Rockland get the Snow Birds moniker and Belfast gets the Snow Bats, it's because years ago, Belfast's champion, Mike Hurley, made up a bunch of bumper stickers celebrating the left-leaning citizens he affectionately called Moon Bats. So, if you've been away this winter, Penobscot Bay Pilot has an update on everything that opened, closed and changed while you were gone.

Restaurant news

Good ‘N’ You

Seth Whited and Sarah Waldron were co-owners and operators of the Good ‘N’ You food truck in the back parking lot of Rollie’s Bar and Grill, took their successful Mexican and Mediterranean fare and turned it into a restaurant in January, taking over the spot at 132 High Street that La Vida Mexican Restaurant used to inhabit. Read our story here

And other Food Truck Musical Chairs

Anna Wagner, former food truck operator of Wags Wagon, which coincidentally took over the Good ‘N’ You food truck and location in Belfast, decided also to put the permanent brakes on the food truck and instead expand her menu to a new restaurant space at the long-vacant former Dos Amigos building on Route 1, in Northport. Still working on renovations, she plans to open it as “The Hoot” June 15.

The Belfast Co-op

The Co-op just put in a long rustic wall-mounted shelf and stools with multiple outlets last week for single patrons who want to grab breakfast or lunch while using their laptops. This is an awesome spot for WiFi seekers on the go.

Business News

Old Crosby school to become co-housing

This past December, Belfast resident Kiril Lozanov, purchased the 38,000-square-foot building with big plans to renovate it into a community building that promises huge potential for Belfast’s creative economy making it into affordable co-housing, office space and community performance space. Read that story here.

Belfast Community Radio Launches

Belfast Community Radio (BCR), the city’s new low-power radio station, launched this past December out of Waterfall Arts’ basement and locals can catch a ton of diverse programming choices on WBFY 100.9 FM reaching as far as Islesboro, Swanville and Knox County or streaming. Check out our initial story.

Belfast Clay Studio

In January, Belfast Clay Studio opened on 132 High Street, offering classes, workshops and open studio time for people to work on their individual projects. 

Alder & Vine

Only in Belfast, right? This kooky oddities and occult shop just opened in Belfast on 9 Beaver Street in April with its notable wall shelving featuring animal skulls. run by husband andwife Jason Hay and Heather Q. Hay, it also offers handmade items the Hays have made including spell bath bombs, witchy brooms, and Jason’s recalimed restored furniture and lighting. Read our latest story about it here.

If we've missed any business updates, comings and goings, expansions and the like, shoot us an email with the subject line "Add to Belfast Snow Bats story" and we'll give it a look.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com