Knight’s Store, Bill’s Store, The Center General. The building smack in the center of the Center has long been the place to get all manner of goods. In the old days it was a true General Store, selling dry goods, clothing and boots, seasonal toys and gifts. Most households tried to produce everything they needed, relying on the general stores for those items they could not make on their own little farms.

Nancy Heald recounted how her parents relied on the Center store for Ivory soap to wash her baby clothes during wartime rationing. The standard lye soap probably wasn’t great for an infant’s skin.

She also remembers the penny candy and ice cream, and the giant wheel of cheese that stood on the counter. She is not the only person with memories of that cheese. “Wonderful, sharp unique flavor” Nancy mused.

Pizza, of course, was unheard of until the early 1960s. I think my dad first encountered it on a trip to Old Orchard Beach, the exotic treat that it was.

In my childhood it was owned by Bill Warrington.. It had a gas pump back then, and I remember the penny candy, ice cream, and the giant wheel of cheese.. And as I have mentioned before, I always loved stuffing quarters in the arcade machines in the back room.

After being closed for many years, it underwent a massive renovation, turning it into the beautiful place it is today. Owned and run by Briar Lyons Boetsch, there was some anxiety in town when Briar announced that she was putting it up for sale, and opening a store on Moosehead Lake, Northeast Carry General Store, with her husband, Center native Aaron Boetsch.

Briar announced a commitment to seeing the Center store continue, and she was true to her word, as the store opened with new owners Thursday morning as Owen’s General Store.

I caught up with the new owners Saturday. Whitney Hughes and Matt Pierce will be taking over, and both have local roots. Whitney grew up in various parts of Maine, graduating from Mt. Desert Island High School. Maine kept drawing her back and she relocated to Camden a couple years ago.

Matt, of course, is a Lincolnville boy, a few years behind me at LCS. Matt also brings with him 21 years of experience working at Megunticook Market, so I think we can trust him at the pizza oven.

Matt and Whitney take on this venture with a level of sadness, and the store is named after Whitney’s 19-year-old son, Owen Eldridge, who passed away suddenly last August. They hope to honor Owen’s loving energy by building on a spirit of connection and community that is at the heart of any village store.

Matt and Whitney plan to hold a grand opening around July 4th, as they spend the next month making the store their own. They plan to continue pizza and grab and go meals, and will continue to stock fresh bread and bakery items. They welcome and look forward to any feedback and suggestions.

As of writing this, they are still awaiting their beer and wine license, and are hopeful that it will arrive in the next week. From what I saw Saturday, the locals are already scoping the place out. Between Owen’s General and Drake Corner, the Library and the Red Cottage, we have an active Center, after many years of little going on in that part of town. 

So stop by and say hi, and support our local businesses. They are very cool people.

McLaughlin’s New Location

If you are paying attention at the Beach you may have noticed that McLaughlin’s lobster shack has moved officially to the old Chez Michelle building, across from the Whale’s Tooth. The location where Rick McLaughlin hocked fried clams and lobster rolls since 1980 (and gave me my first “real” job) has been sold to the State, and is planned for a new parking lot for the Ferry Service.

They have announced their opening day as May 30. I suppose in the name of community journalism, I should check out this year’s offerings for next week’s column. Probably should check out the Whale’s Tooth again while I’m down there. I do this for you, the readers.

Sympathy

I recently learned that long time Beach resident Brad Payne passed away. I remember Brad being a presence in so much that went on in this town. Love to his family.

There will be a committal ceremony for Peg Miller at the Hill Cemetery on Van Cycle road next Sunday at 2:30, followed by a gathering at the Community Building. Peg Miller- such a powerful old soul, who loved this town.

Memorial Day

The parade will step off at 1 p.m. at Lincolnville Central School, and will travel down Main Street to Veteran’s Park, next to the library. There will be a prayer, speech, and a laying of the wreath on the Lincolnville Honor Roll. At 1:45 there will be a wreath laying at the Frohock Brook bridge at the Beach, to honor those lost at sea.

Ma pointed me to her book Staying Put in Lincolnville Maine, 1900-1950, for the story of son of Lincolnville, Maynard Thurlow, of Fernald’s Neck. After graduating from Camden High School in 1941, and some time working in a lathe shop in Bath, Maynard decided to enlist in the Navy in 1944. On May 4, 1945, his ship, the USS Luce, was hit by a Kamakaze pilot off the coast of Okinawa. Seaman First Class Maynard Thurlow was lost and presumed drowned, so far from his family’s farm in Lincolnville.

Memorial Day is interesting. A very solemn holiday to remember those lost at war, and the unofficial start of summer. I have known enough people who have lost friends and loved ones in war to respect the solemnity while recognizing that we honor their sacrifice by continuing to live and love and find joy. Maybe raise a glass or a hotdog for Maynard Thurlow, and all the others who never returned.

Be well, Lincolnville. Wave to strangers, find the joy in the small things in life. Reach out to me at ceobrien246@gmail.com.

CALENDAR

Monday, May 27

Memorial Day, Town Office Closed

Parade begins at 1 p.m. and travels from LCS to Veterans Park

Tuesday, May 28

Library open 3-6 p.m. 208 Main Street

AA Meeting 12:15 p.m., Community Building, 18 Searsmont Road

Select Board, 6 p.m. Town Office

Wednesday, May 29

Library open 2-5 p.m. 

Friday May 31

AA Meeting 12:15 p.m., Community Building, 18 Searsmont Road

Library open 9-12, 208 Main Street

Saturday, June 1

Library open 9-12, 208 Main Street

Sunday, June 2

United Christian Church, 9:30 a.m. Worship, 18 Searsmont Road

Bayshore Baptist Church, 9:30 a.m. Sunday School, 11:00 worship, 2648 Atlantic Highway.