CAMDEN—Last month, the long-dormant takeout stand on Route 1 opposite Camden Hills State Park got a new lease on life when Melissa Kachan, and her husband, Michael Travis reopened it and named it Happy's Take Out. 

"The whole idea was to create a positive experience for people," said Kachan. 

The menu features local Maine ice cream as well as appetizers, seafood, sandwiches, wraps, hamburgers, salads, fresh seafood, and a kids' menu. The takeout opens daily at 9 a.m. (except Mondays when they are closed) and offers breakfast sandwiches, breakfast burritos, bagels, and avocado toast, coffee and tea. The stand is pet-friendly and even offers frozen treats for dogs.

"The menu was created by several moms," said Kachan. "We were mindful of putting out a delicious varied menu for all ages by offering plenty of dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices."

Most of the appetizers, like homemade popcorn, vegetable egg rolls and spanakopita, are vegetarian, along with a cheese quesadilla and a vegan hot dog.

But, there are plenty of choices for meat eaters, too. 

"The Happy's hamburgers have actually been the most popular menu item, and we're getting a lot of orders for grilled chicken wraps and falafel wraps," she said. "Lobster rolls have also been selling well." 

For the first time since a business opened at this location in the 1960s, it has a beer and wine license. Along with an impressive array of craft canned beers from Allagash, Batson River, Foundation, and others, the alcohol menu also features hard ciders, prosecco, and non-alcoholic drinks such as mocktails and adaptogenic wellness drinks. 

Plans for an outdoor music garden and tiki hut

"We're building a stage in the adjacent garden with six picnic tables, outdoor couches, and a firepit that can accommodate nearly 100 people and constructing a tiki hut that can sell beer, wine and craft cocktails," said Kachan.

The space is equipped with plenty of outdoor games, including cornhole, giant tabletop checkers, horseshoes, Jenga and more.

"This is the perfect location for music, state park campers, and local people," said Kachan. "We wanted to build a place where my husband could play music when he's not on tour, bring other great acts here, and create something where the community can get together outside and enjoy coastal Maine."

While the weather this fall continues to be pleasant, Happy's Take Out will start hosting live music and jam sessions in the coming weeks. Next season Happy's Take Out plans to offer more opportunities for local artists and musicians through gigs, open mics, comedy nights, theater, lectures and other performances. 

With nearby Lincolnville Beach losing three long-time restaurants, this is welcome news for the surrounding community. 

To learn more about their menu and fall hours, visit their website. To see announcements about upcoming music, visit their Facebook page. 

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com