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.
207 Eats is latest food truck to hit Midcoast with organic, local fare
THOMASTON—Locally sourced, delicious food—that’s the Maine way—and entrepreneurs Tai Leavitt and Darren Albers are using the state’s area code as their Maine brand in their latest food truck venture, 207 Eats.
207 Eats has used the late summer and early fall as their launchpad for a soft opening. Operations are currently on hiatus while Albers is traveling and 207 Eats plans to re-open Monday, November 1.
Located in Thomaston, near the Rockland town line (218 New County Road… Read more
Chez Michel converts to Beach Inn Market, a shop for takeout food and antiques
LINCOLNVILLE—Fans of Chez Michel Restaurant on Route One were pleasantly surprised to see a new post on the restaurant’s Facebook page after more than a year of inactivity.
The restaurant, which did not reopen the summer of 2020—another casualty of the pandemic—announced on Facebook Friday, October 1, that it is now open and has transformed with a new twist: it’s now called the Beach Inn Market filled to the brim with antiques and collectibles as well as art, and wine from chef/… Read more
Lucky Betty’s, a boutique bar, opens in Camden
CAMDEN—Betty Forever, the garage bar and art studio in Camden, which had to close during the pandemic, has recently had a streak of good luck.
Now re-opened by Daiva Deupree, an actor and Betty Forever’s bartender, the boutique garage bar has been renamed Lucky Betty’s.
It’s a quirky gem in the midst of a tourist town, a… Read more
Going green with Alan Robertson of BlueWave Solar
ROCKPORT —A new blueberry solar farm is ready to come online in a field near Route 17, close to Maces Pond.
The blueberry farm is owned by David Dickey. When Alan approached Dickey about using his blueberry farm as a solar farm, David insisted, “Only if I can still grow blueberries.” That is what BlueWave Solar does, combining photovoltaics and agriculture. It is managed by Navisun LLC. It sits on approximately 12 acres and makes enough power for about 800 homes.
Ten thousand,… Read more
Painted Monarch, new hair salon, opens in Rockport
Painted Monarch is a relaxed salon with a cozy atmosphere and boho vibes. Quinn Bunting, a Mainer with entrepreneurial spirits, crafts experiences that allow you to express yourself as an individual, inspired by a new generation of hair that she's making her mark in.
Quinn's passions lie in bringing out the beauty in those around her. This 22-year-old owner, color enthusiast and stylist always keeps her finger on the pulse of constantly changing trends, products… Read more
Camden author provides insight to philanthropy, charitable volunteering
CAMDEN — Have you ever wondered if the charity to which you are donating is actually putting your money to good work? Or, perhaps you have pondered how you can become better involved with a nonprofit and offer more to a cause close to your heart. Maybe, you are on the board of a nonprofit and contemplating how to move the charity to new heights.
For A Good… Read more
Going green with Alvin Chase: solar farm, electric cars, keeping community healthy and strong
ROCKLAND — This is a feel-good story about a local business owner doing well by doing good.
Alvin Chase is the owner of Eastern Tire and Auto Service in Rockland. He has worked there for 33 years. His grandfather ran it for the original owners back in the 1940s through the 1960s, then his father worked there and bought the business. Alvin left Cornell and came back to help his father run the business when his father got sick in 1988. Later, his younger brother Aaron joined the team… Read more
Rowing with beauty, self-empowerment: DoryWoman offers Belfast on-the-water experience
BELFAST — There’s a new rowing business navigating the waters of Belfast Bay, launched by Nicolle Littrell. She is offering rowing lessons and guided rowing tours in the Bay, and efforts are challenging the gender status quo of rowing.
What makes DoryWoman Rowing most unique, Littrell said, is there is no other company providing guided tours and rowing lessons in a traditional wooden boat in Belfast Bay with a Maine Guide, and perhaps even in the entire state. An individual with the… Read more
Late in the season, Camden gets a new to-go taqueria
CAMDEN— A shuttered food stand, formerly Deirdre’s Roadside Takeout, opposite of the Camden Hills State Park, has been brought back to life by Andrew Lipman in the form of a to-go taqueria.
Called Two Dudes Tacos, the funny thing is that it’s just one dude running the show.
“There was another dude, but he dropped out, so my other dude is my puppy, Gus,” joked… Read more
The Club Marina and Bar opens in Stockton Springs
STOCKTON SPRINGS—The former private Stockton Harbor Yacht Club has been transformed into a public restaurant called The Club Marina and Bar and its quiet harborside vibe is a hidden gem.
Owner Jillian Liversidge and her husband, Sandy Liversidge, purchased the shuttered building six years ago. First, they created the nonprofit Stockton Harbor Yacht Club, which Liversidge said brought many people together. Both she and her husband grew up on boats and envisioned a place for boaters… Read more