ROCKLAND—Rockland’s creative economy just got a zesty boost with the arrival of Lemon Bar, a stylish yet comfortably down-to-earth new spot at 305 Main Street.

Owners Carly and Wesley Summers made the permanent move to Maine from Nashville, Tennessee, a year and a half ago after Wesley completed a three-month class at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship. Having both worked in restaurants—often together, most of their careers—the time and place felt right to open up their own cocktail and wine bar with the tagline: "A sweet bar for sour people."

The dream was 10 years in the making, long before they got married, and as of November 7, Lemon Bar has opened its doors.

Once known as The Brass Compass, the newly revamped space feels like a retro-vibe cocktail lounge, with faux lime-wash walls that make you think you're sitting at the bottom of a swimming pool. Wesley carved the sapele wood wraparound bar, and they both added comfortable chairs and a lounge area in the back. A woodworking friend helped them decorate the place, providing a handmade chess set and a unique bathroom door.

"Everything in this place has a story," Carly said.

The menu concept is high-low, with a sophisticated wine list, a robust cocktail list, and a working-class beer lineup (Miller Lite, Narragansett), as well as boilermakers, such as a Dressed Tecate and Tequila. Bar snacks are also simple: bar nuts, olives, a tin fish plate, and of course, a lemon bar. There are also N/A options, spritzes and a "tiny 'tini" for $6.

"Our friends in Nashville owned a bar and ran the tiny dirty 'tinis, and it was a huge hit, so we brought it here," she said.

While Carly handles the administrative side and the wine menu, Wesley is comfortable behind the bar slinging cocktails. "We were trained by the same people at the restaurants where we worked, and I feel we have the same style," she said.

The public has been appreciative, said Carly. "People have come up to us and thanked us for opening this spot," she said. "We just wanted to create a space that felt comfortable. We really wanted to embody the feeling of being in someone's home.

The Lemon Bar's winter hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 5 to 10 p.m. For more info visit their Instagram page.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com