We’re ready for spring, even if it’s taking it’s sweet time shuffling up the coast. Here’s what happened over the fall and winter and all of the new businesses and changes that took place in Rockland— what's open, what's closed, what's new and what's happening.

New restaurants

‘Wich Please

Back in the fall, we covered their monster Kickstarter campaign that made the dreams come true for one local couple. Local food blogger Malcolm Bedell and his wife, Jillian, set up a $25,000 goal to start a food truck that could serve incredible sandwiches and they surpassed their goal, earning nearly $30,000 in the process. Food trucks are just starting to make a splash in the Midcoast and now Rockland will be lucky to be home to the ‘Wich Please food truck. See our original story here. They plan to open May 15 in Rockland’s Buoy Park (which happens to be home to several top-notch food trucks!) Get in line.

Hong Kong Island

A new Chinese food establishment opened over the winter in the old Jade Restaurant on Route One across from Color Thyme Rentals. Even though the dining area seems like a doctor’s waiting room, the reviews of its food on the Midcoast Maine Food Forum Facebook page have been very positive.

The Chowder House Is Now Eclipse

The Chowder House, which is located above The Speakeasy changed their name over the winter, so not to be confused with Cappy’s Chowder House i Camden. The menu and ownership is still the same however.

Home Kitchen Cafe’s “Cone Home”

Last year owners James Hatch and Susan Schiro filed an application to renovate the one and a half story house next to their restaurant into a bakery and ice cream parlor. It just opened in May 1 and is hilariously titled “Cone Home” (after E.T. perhaps?). Serving Round Top ice cream, they will make their own hot fudge and caramel sauce, ice cream and cookie sandwiches while also offering lactose and gluten free options. (Oh why did you have to open when bathing suit season is just around the corner grrr.)

Comida

We first covered this fusion Latin restaurant when they first opened in Camden in 2013. In mid-April, Comida relocated to 421 Main Street in Rockland in order to double their capacity. In the move, they also redesigned the menu, moving away from Latin flavors and concentrating more on Spanish food. See our latest Penobscot Bay Pilot story here.

Himalayan

At 1 Park Street, near the curve on Route 1 heading south toward Thomaston, Kristina is gearing up to open her new restaurant this coming week. The restaurant will feature Indian, Asian and Himalayan cuisine. We are looking forward to it and will feature in an upcoming article.

And those that closed

Sadly for locals, the following restaurants have shut their doors for good: L & H Burgers, Conte’s Restaurant (amid some legal drama), Roselyn Seafood (new home to the Himalayan Restaurant), Lobsterman’s Restaurant and Water Dog Tavern in Thomaston.  The old Conte's space now has a sign for the Wiggin's Meat Market.

We also lost an iconic independent bookstore, The Reading Corner, has been a fixture on Maine Street since 1975.  Huge changes in the publishing industry in the last 10 years have worked against local, independent bookstores and Warren Bodine, the owner, reluctantly felt it was time to pack up. The store closed over the winter. The Knox County Democratic Committee set up shop in the space temporarily for the elections, but the space is still for sale.

Pen Bay YMCA satellite facility opens

Those who wondered what would become of the old Amalfi Restaurant space at 12 Water Street in Rockland will be pleased to learn that Penobscot Bay YMCA has transformed the space into a new fitness facility with brand new equipment. There are four childcare rooms and a fitness area that includes a weight room and fitness equipment room, a fitness studio, some smaller office for personnel and two locker rooms with showers. The fitness side has a workout room for aerobics or yoga, a weight room and the work out equipment faces large windows that look out over the ocean. The daycare facility is for everyone and not for use by those using the fitness center exclusively. Read more of the story on Penobscot Bay Pilot here.

What’s Up With Main Street Markets?

It’s been a year since Maine Street Markets at 435 Main Street said they would be open following a substantial renovation in the downtown district. See our original story about them here. Developer Rick Rockwell and his daughter Jennifer have grand plans for the building, making it a consignment space for locally produced food, beer and wine. The cafe will offer local products, juice and smoothie bar, create-your-own chopped salads and healthy, energizing breakfasts. They will carry local craft beers, local spirits, and wines, along with a variety of prepared foods, and also offer home and harbor delivery.  Given that they have been working nonstop, it’s heartening to know that on their Facebook page, they’re starting to interview for positions. No word yet on an opening day, but this will be one more jewel in Rockland’s crown when it does.

New hotels under construction

Rockland is hustling and bustling. It’s already transformed into a hip foodie town with a flourishing art scene (look for Rockport-based Center for Contemporary Art to move here next summer!). Along with the Lobster Festival, the Blues Festival and other big volume events, the decision has been made to add two new hotels to the downtown area. The Rockland Planning Board approved a still yet unnamed five-story 26-room boutique hotel at 250 Main Street, right next to Rock Coast Roasters and construction has been going on all winter with plans to open in the fall. The hotel project, developed, Cabot Lyman, of Cushing, drew community concerns about its height and fit with the neighborhood, while others voiced the need to have more rooms available as Rockland continues to reinvent itself. See original story details here.

As for the the proposal to build a new hotel on the Rockland waterfront at 12 Ocean Street, no new work has been done yet on the $6.5 million project as the owners Stuart and Marianne Smith are currently focused on the Camden hotel project currently being renovated. Catch up on the story at Penobscot Bay Pilot here.

If we've missed any new businesses that would be interesting to folks coming back to Maine, shoot us an email with the subject line "Add to Rockland story" and we'll add it into the list!

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com