For those returning to Maine for the spring, here's what's new

Welcome back to Camden-Rockport, Snow Birds!

Fri, 06/02/2017 - 8:00am

    Every year Penobscot Bay Pilot does a TV version of a “clip show,” which is an episode of that consists of excerpts from previous episodes. Here's our annual listing of the new businesses and changes that occurred over the winter in Camden, Lincolnville and Rockport — what's open, what's closed, what's new and what you missed.

    Restaurant news

    Ebantide 

    Sad to say, but if you weren’t here this winter, you missed both the opening and closing of Ebantide, the newest restaurant to occupy the bottom floor of the Knox Mill. Renovated to be more casual and comfortable with a line up of seasoned chefs, it had a lot of good promise, great reviews and excellent food. But in April, they put a notice on their Facebook page they were closing without explanation. Read the original story here. Lynn Archer, owner-chef of The Brass Compass Cafe, Archers' On The Pier announced the space would now become Lynn Archers River Mill Bistro opening this summer.

    The Lobster Pound

    Bankruptcy closed the longstanding Lincolnville restaurant the Lobster Pound this winter, and along with it, Andrews Brewing Co. See that story here. A Maine couple who owns Layfayette Hotels Group bought the building at an auction in March with the intent to just reopen as the restaurant under the same name. See follow up story.

    Cold Toes Tacos

    Speak of blink and you missed it, a pop-up eatery Cold Toes Tacos, began service this winter at the mid-mountain of The Camden Snow Bowl before it officially closed for the season, and then reopened on the mountain. With some issues that halted their initial debut at the Camden Snow Bowl, there’s no word yet whether they will be back next season.

    Walker’s Restaurant

    Opening in May at the former Denny’s building in Rockport is a new family owned restaurant called Walkers to feature homestyle cooking. See that new story.

     


    New businesses

    Coastal Maine Yoga

    New as well to the Knox Mill is The Coastal Maine Yoga studio, which opened its doors on Mechanic Street in the Knox Mill Complex in December. whose owner, Marylou Cook is now famous for offering yoga with cats. Read about that here.

    Red Barn Baking Co.

    Red Barn Baking Co, based in Lincolnville is opening a retail store on Bay View on Memorial Day with fresh baked goods, so you don’t have to drive to Lincolnville to get them. More on that story.

    Sea Bags

    Sea Bags, a Portland company that makes Maine-made bags from recycled sails, is expanding with another retail location to Main Street in Camden and opened on Friday, May 26, at 6 Main St.

    Camden Exxon...gone

    Love it or hate it, the Camden Exxon business at 1 Union St. in Camden next to Stop ‘n’ Go will be no more. Neighbor Jason Hearst, purchased the property in mid-March with the intent to eliminate the automobile clutter.  "I don't have any firm plans for the property," said Hearst. "The overall vision, which I'm excited about, is to have a functional space that is aesthetically beautiful for the town and the neighborhood. In the short term, it is going to serve as an art studio space for me and my family." Read our story about it here.

    Guini Ridge Farm

    Sharp eyes might have noticed that on Route One, Guini Ridge Farm took over Hoboken Gardens at 310 Commercial Street in Rockport over the winter and is now open, providing quality local flowers, herbs and food.

     


    New Construction

    Many of you will notice that Bakery Bridge, the intersection at the end of Route 105 in Camden has been torn up and under construction. The town has been working all winter to replace the pipe under the bridge and reopened the street on May 15 with a new stop sign. Read all about it here.

    Rockport is also currently undergoing the historic High Sidewalk starting April 17, which will take approximately two months. See more  Additionally, the town is also redoing a section of sewer. Crews will begin digging up a short portion of Route 1 in Rockport near the intersection of Route 90, More of the story here.

     


    Environmental News

    On March 1, the Maine Dept. of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Camden has another $64,810 to continue construction of the Megunticook Riverwalk recreational trail. The trail, which winds along the river from the lower end of Megunticook Lake, eventually will terminate in downtown Camden. Read that story here.

    In February Camden has deeded approximately 64 acres of undeveloped land abutting the town-owned Ragged Mountain Recreation Area to Coastal Mountains Land Trust for the benefit of scenic and natural conservation. The acreage is to be incorporated in the land trust’s project to build a nine-mile Round the Mountain trail, beginning next spring. Read that story here.

     


    Landscape/Property Changes

    The Apollo Tannery at 116 Washington Street is long gone, but the space has finally been approved to be converted into a new multi-use community space as envisioned by the Select Board's sanctioned Tannery Work Group during the course of an intensive two year process. See more of that story here.

    On March 15, The Camden Conservation Commission asked the town of Camden to designate a wooded area of the 77-acre, town-owned Sagamore Farm next to the Camden Hills State Park as a town park. The commission wants the park to promoting trails for biking, cross-country skiing and hiking. Read that story here.

    The American Boathouse at the head of Camden Harbor, which has long sat vacant, may turn into a private residence. Cynthia and John Reed hope to renovate and transform an old cedar-shingled boathouse at the head of Camden Harbor into a home, but they need voter approval to proceed. Read that story 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 Rockport/Camden Snow Birdsstory" and we'll give it a look.


    Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com