SOUTH THOMASTON — Mussel Ridge Market, at 20 Island Road in South Thomaston, celebrated its grand opening on Monday, November 21, with a tasting buffet for just $6, and the dishes represented what the market prepares and sells on a daily basis.

Though they opened in July, owner Molly Hooper said this was the first chance they have had to officially say hello to local residents.

"We opened at the end of July," she said, "but we wanted to do an open house for the community because we kept hearing that people didn't know we were open. This was a perfect time for everyone to come in and we are excited to see all the people."

Hooper said support from the community has been great and people were happy to see the store open, again.

"The opportunity came up to acquire the store and we really didn't understand at the time what the store meant to the people around here," she said. "I decided I wanted a new project and here we are."

The $6 buffet included new items that had been added to the menu with Spruce Head Cheesesteak, Chicken Caprese, El Cubano sandwich, Cheeseburger egg rolls, fried green beans and "Devilish Eggs."

Hooper said the market will remain open through the winter.

"We're open for all the fishermen to come by and get breakfast, lunch and dinner, or whatever else they might need," she said. "We're on a very-high traffic area for the fishermen. There really are a lot of locals who live here. They don't go away after summer is over."

Mussel Ridge Market will be open 5 a.m. through 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

"Malcolm Bedell is my chef and he also owns the food truck, Wich Please, so he's been doing specials at night," she said. "We also have Wednesday as international night, Friday is Taco night and we'll be adding other specials on different nights because they are going so well."

Hooper said the market business is new to her, but the restaurant business is not. Her background is the hospitality industry for 15 years.

"My husband is a lobsterman and we live five minutes away so it worked out perfect," she said. "He supplies the lobsters for steamed lobsters and we have $9.99 lobster rolls. We pick our own lobster and steam them; it all comes off the boat. We're very excited."

As summer rolls back around, MRM will offer fresh scallops, crab cakes and line caught haddock. They will offer a large seating area outside, as well.

"We can seat around 30 inside and you can sit at the bar and watch the chef work as well," said Hooper. "It looks a little smaller today because we're using some tables for the buffet. It's been filling up on Wednesdays and Fridays and it filled up for lunch today."

Find them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musselridgemarket/?fref=ts