LINCOLNVILLE—It’s always exciting to see someone’s hobby bloom into a full entrepreneurial business as we’ve seen in past PenBay Pilot stories, from The Scone Goddess in Northport and Sunflour Meals & Cookies in Hope.

Two years ago, PenBay Pilot stumbled upon Lincolnville resident Jessica Weeks’ tiny roadside plant stand in a local story, “The beauty of roadside farm stands.”

Back then, Weeks and her husband were growing a small garden of herbs, vegetables, plants, and flowers for passersby, who used a self-serve honor system to choose what they wanted off the metal tables at the end of their driveway.

This summer, with more acreage dedicated to growing beside their house and two brand new greenhouses, Weeks has expanded her roadside business and has opened her garden center and greenhouse up to the public on weekends.

What makes this so unique is how under the radar it is. Weeks doesn’t have a business name, a website, or Facebook ads. It’s a little like a speakeasy; you might have to ask around to find it.

“We’re located three miles from Lincolnville Beach on Route 173/Beach Road,” she said. 

Weeks said her high school teacher Dalene Dutton sparked her interest in gardening in 2000 after taking her botany class to Merry Gardens, a small garden center on Mechanic Street in Camden.

“We grew scarlet runner beans and I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, this is amazing!’” she said. “I started growing and planting since then.”

Her home business got a major boost when she and her husband decided to invest in a greenhouse from a company called Maine AgroTech, which came and built the wooden unit in one day.

“Adding the greenhouse has really changed our business, to be able to winterize perennials and store them there,” she said. “I quit my job after the pandemic and just started growing full-time. Last year, all of my plants were available at H&H Mercantile in Searsport, and this year, we’re able to open up our greenhouse to the public on the weekends.”

Her one-person business includes perennials, annuals, herbs, flowers, vegetables, and house plants. Each plant has a plant tag identifying it, along with the price.

Weeks said that during the summer throughout the fall she’s around the house on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and for those driving by to look for the plant flag. If anyone pulls into the driveway next to the roadside stand, she’ll come out and say hello and welcome them to view the greenhouse area.

Even on weekdays, the road stand cart will be filled with various plants and available on a self-serve basis from around 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s still just a roadside stand,” she said. Her personal Facebook page often posts what’s available.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com