ROCKLAND—After more than a year and a half of renovations to 435 Main Street, the highly anticipated opening of Main Street Markets has opened July 9.

Along with Good Tern Co-op and Terra Optima Farm Market, this latest specialty grocery store cements Rockland’s foodie reputation with its selection of natural, local and organic foods, skincare and provisions.

The interior of the first floor is rustic with exposed original ceiling rafters and brick walls and new archways that mimic the building’s original brickwork. "In giving thought to the highest, best use of the building, it was clear from the start that Rockland's emerging food scene as well as the permanent community needed a one-­stop source for high quality, organic, locally produced food." said co-founder Rick Rockwell. Along with his daughter co-founder, Jennifer Rockwell, they have been working with a local crew to renovate the entire building, while restoring its historical beauty, literally brick by brick.

For now the Rockwells have concentrated renovating the main floor at street level. The focal part of the market is The Garden Café, serving breakfast and lunch featuring local yogurt and ingredients, toast, smoothies and juices, and create-­your-­own chopped salads and wraps. “Everything we will offer will be all-natural and organic,” said Jennifer. “Something people we will be offering that’s a little different are Smoothie Bowls. It’s like a breakfast soup, or a thicker version of a smoothie you can actually eat with a spoon.” (The Super Green Bowl, for example, contains spinach, pineapple, banana, almond milk with granola, almonds and seeds.)

The market also offers organic and healthy dry goods as well as coolers of fresh, locally sourced produce. In the back nook, there is also a selection of local Maine beer and ciders, as well as a diverse selection of wines. To accommodate the influx of summer business, the market will employ more than 25 people.

“In a few months, we will be developing the basement and move all of the beer, cider and wines down there, along with a cheese specialty shop,” said Jennifer Rockwell.

Eventually, the rest of the top floors of the building will be converted to apartments. And there’s one more surprise in store for locals. In a few weeks, the Rockwells are in the process of completing renovations on a space next to the market, calling it The Pop Up Store, which will serve as a temporary short-term rental space for artisans to sell their wares. “It will give small businesses a chance to sell things like pies, records, paintings, whatever the case may be,” she said.

The market will be open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information follow Main Street Markets on Facebook.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com