Midcoast Entrepreneurs: Bright Ideas, Creativity and Enterprise
From restaurateurs to artists, and everything in between, the Midcoast is beaming with creatives and innovators in all mediums.
Since the inception of PenBayPilot.com, a collective goal of our writers has been to spotlight entrepreneurs and their creativity. Now, we have established a hub for our stories about the Midcoast’s entrepreneurs to permanently reside.
We encourage our readers to support as many local business owners as possible across as many industries as you can. Our neighbors need our support, so please browse through this hub for potential purchases or places to eat.
Welder artist turns scrap metal into whimsical sculptures
HOPE—Long abandoned shovels, rusted chains, nuts, bolts and other broken tools that no longer have use are Wayne Twitchell’s favorite things to find when he’s out moseying around at yard sales and second hand stores. Almost 50 years ago Twitchell started a career in welding with a South Portland cement plant. He moved on after that, he honing his welding skills with Fischer Engineering and Bath Iron Works and was the recipient of the Navy’s Aegis Excellence Award for welding.
About… Read more
Pour Farm brewery to produce small batches from ground up
UNION — Most are familiar with the wildly popular “farm to table” food movement that sprang to life several years ago and has continued to gain traction around the world. In Union, one family is hoping to bring a similar model to their recently purchased property on Crawfordsburn Road, aspiring to not just brew beer, but to grow the hops and botanicals for the small batch beers they will begin producing this spring.
Bill Stinson and his wife, Ashley, moved to Union from Lexington,… Read more
Entrepreneur develops business niche in Rockland with antique sewing machines, chainstitch embroidery
ROCKLAND — Entering Griffen Cooper’s studio at the Lincoln Street Center for the Arts is an immediate feast for the senses. Early industrial sewing machines of various design and repair are set up throughout the snug but well-appointed space, designs and embroidered patches adorn the walls, and a rolling rack filled with vintage clothing suggests projects in the wings. A chalkboard on the wall leftover from the building’s previous iteration as a public school contains scrolled notes and… Read more
Shop Local: Three last minute handmade gift ideas
For the holidays, we’re continuing our series to shine the spotlight on Maine craftspeople who make products by hand and work out of their homes and kitchens to make quality products and work. Here are three last-minute ideas that can be found in the Midcoast and online before the season is upon us.
Lovin’ Cups
Handleless pottery that’s part of Waterfall Arts’… Read more
New Rockport espresso-wine-beer-bakery opens at busy town corner
ROCKPORT—Having moved to Camden from south of Boston four years ago, the Gelerman family wasn’t looking to start a new business.
“We came up to retire,” said Theola Gelerman, sitting at the oval granite bar under mullioned windows on the sunny first floor at their new business venture.
“We had run a specialty grocery store for 18 years,” added her husband, David. “And we thought we were done.”
That notion changed when the Gelermans learned that the Cellardoor Winery… Read more
Shop Local: Three unique Maine edibles
Through December, we continue our series to shine the spotlight on local people who make their living by their home kitchens and small production facilities, using unique Maine flavors and ingredients no one can get anywhere else. Best of all, all of these items can be picked up locally and shipped.
Graffam Bros. Maine Seafood Rockport
A fresh Maine caught lobster roll delivered to your door with Maine’s Deep River Snack… Read more
Texas woman brings flavors of home to La Mesa in Liberty
LIBERTY — When Lisa Fagin and her husband, Richard, purchased their vacation home in Belfast it was initially to escape the hot Texas summers. With her husband working from home, Fagin took the opportunity to explore Maine. Ambitious and with a business background, Fagin initially saw the need for a casual bakery with generous hours in, or near, Belfast. Her vision rapidly evolved, and she plans to open her new eatery, La Mesa, on Dec. 14.
La Mesa is at the corner of routes 3 and… Read more
Shop Local: Three unique handmade Maine goods
For the month of December, we continue our series to shine the spotlight on local craftspeople who make things by hand. It’s important to shop local and to support the innovators and entrepreneurs who keep the creative economy alive in the Midcoast. So each week, until Dec. 25, we will bring you this series until you can’t take it anymore. Ready. Set. Go.
Mainely Naturals, Belfast
“Bambi” White Tailed Deer Ornament… Read more
51 Main brings food, community to downtown Liberty
LIBERTY — When Tom Opper, of Liberty Graphics, purchased a dilapidated antique residence perched on a hill just up the street from his shop early in 2015, he had his sites set on adding a restaurant to the small, eclectic Waldo County village of Liberty. The building, located at 51 Main St., was in rough condition after sitting unoccupied for years. Opper saw the opportunity to purchase it out of foreclosure and transform it into a viable asset to the community.
While Opper has owned… Read more
Ondine: Brine, swine, dine and, of course, wine
BELFAST — The first item on every Ondine Oyster and Wine Bar menu is a short accolade to the shellfish, and reads: “Oysters once carpeted the rocky inshore banks and mouths of Maine’s saltwater rivers. Cultivated oysters in Midcoast Maine have reintroduced a population of succulent filter feeders that taste great and keep our waters clean.”
Immediately following is Ondine’s oyster menu. Not only are the dishes unique, so too are the variety of oysters found at the… Read more