CAMDEN — Brian Beggarly, of South Thomaston, has purchased Boynton McKay Restaurant at 30 Main St. in Camden from Phil McElhaney and Susan Penner. For 15 years, they have owned and operated Boynton McKay, the place that has been synonymous with breakfast and lunch in downtown Camden. Known for great dishes, coffee and sweets, Boynton McKay is also known for its apothecary wall, which is a holdover from when it served as the town’s pharmacy.

In 2010, the Food Network voted Boynton McKay as the spot to find the best breakfast in Maine. The building itself and its fixtures are rich in Camden history.

Beggarly is originally from Richmond, Va.,  and has been living in Maine for four years.

“I wanted to own my own restaurant, so I began cooking and the pieces just started to fall into place for me to buy this restaurant,” he said. “It makes sense with the shift in my life; I need to start being home at night. My new son is up in the morning, I’m up in the morning and it just makes sense from where I’m at with my wife. She’s from Camden and I’d like to stay close to the family.”

He brings with him a solid restaurant background to take over the eating establishment.

“After college I waited tables and then I decided I wanted to know more about where the food came from that I was serving from the kitchen,” he said. “I really liked it, so I went to culinary school at the New England Culinary Institute in Vermont. Through that program, I got to work in New Orleans and London. When I returned to the U.S., I moved to Camden and then Portland and then finally Rockland, where I’ve been at Primo for the last three years.”

Beggarly said everything will stay the same at Boynton McKay and he is hopeful the apothecary display, which is owned by the Boynton McKay family, according to Beggarly’s wife, Molly Eddy, will stay.

“It’s on loan and hopefully it will stay that way. People are anxious about the change, which is why we’re keeping everything the same. I want to maintain the reputation that Phil has set and we have a very loyal client base that I really, really want to keep,” said Beggarly.

McElhaney said he has enjoyed his 15 years at this location.

“More or less, yes I’ve enjoyed it,” he said. “It’s been a great run. There’s been a lot of great people I’ve met who come through here. It’s been nice to be part of the community and I feel really good about Brian taking over. I’m just getting a little too old to be in here every day. I’m going to take it easy. Maybe I can get a part time job here.”

Reach Chris Wolf at news@penbaypilot.com.