MIDCOAST—This year, we are consolidating our annual “Welcome back” article to acquaint those who haven’t been around this winter with what’s open, what’s closed, what's new, and what's happening in the Midcoast.

Belfast

Pulling Corks: A new wine bar and shop recently opened at 31 Pendleton Street. It offers a curated selection of wines and snacks, such as cheese, charcuterie, popcorn, and olives along with some lighter wine-friendly fare.

Carousel Wine & Cheese opened in early January 2025 at 94 Main Street. Owner Lauren Crichton acquired the business from Maura Salvatore, who previously operated it as Salvatore & Roscia. The name "Carousel" reflects the rotating selection of products, which change seasonally and based on customer preferences.

Chocolate Drop Candy Shop: After a brief closure, the strore reopened November 30 under new ownership, continuing its tradition of offering sweet treats to the community.

Cheeky Food Truck Park: Set to open in summer 2025 at 139 Searsport Avenue, this food truck park run by Belfast-based entrepreneur Kristine Wentworth will feature up to five vendors overlooking Penobscot Bay. the vendors will offer lobster rolls, burgers, international cuisine, and vegetarian options. Vendors will rotate weekly, providing more variety to the local culinary scene. 

Belfast Co-op: One news item that slipped under the radar of last year's Snow Birds article was the $6.4 million renovation of the Belfast Community Co-op, which expanded its space in the bulk food sections and other areas of the store. The Café, which has been closed since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, has now re-opened with more seating, a new coffee bar, a new outdoor patio, and an an enhanced menu.

Modern Metalsmith, an independent Midcoast jeweler, has relocated to 92 Main Street. See our past PenBay Pilot story.

Waldo County Habitat for Humanity opened a new Restore in late December at 92 Belmont Avenue, a discount store that relies on donations of furniture, appliances, and tools that customers can afford to buy second-hand. The store's revenue will allow Waldo County Habitat for Humanity to build more homes for families in Waldo County.

Spark Bagel opened in Northport in January. Instead of boiling bagels in barley malt the New York way, owner Shawn Williams boils his bagels in a honey water bath using local Swan's Honey, which seals the crust. Read the PenBay Pilot story.

Camden

Winona's, a 20-seat restaurant, formerly Goods, opened on 31 Elm Street in late October. Launched by Hannah Adams and chef Devin Dearden, the tiny menu features six revolving dishes.

Villager Café: A new breakfast and lunch spot has opened at 25 Mechanic Street, a community hub for Midcoast Villager.

The Smiling Cow: This family-owned shop, which has been a Camden staple for 85 years, changed ownership in April when Meg Quijano handed the business reins to her nephew, David Fisher. Read the PenBay Pilot story.

String Theory Music: A music shop opened at 57 Bayview Street this past October. It provides a selection of high-quality guitars, amps, and accessories and services acoustic and electric guitars and bass guitars. Further, the shop is committed to being a hub for musicians who are looking for a space to perform, congregate, and build community around.

The Village Candy & Gift Shoppe: Last year, the shop at 53 Bayview, formerly Creative Creations 4U, took over where Uncle Willy's Candy Shop left off and combined the two businesses into one. The family-owned shop offers gifts and home decor from local artists and crafters, as well as locally made chocolates, candies, maple syrups, and hot sauces.

Simply Blessed 'N More: Another gift shop, around the corner and up the street at 56 Elm Street, opened in November. The interior is huge, hosting more than 70 vendors. The shop carries handmade crafts, gifts, upcycled art, and more. Additionally, the shop is hosting hands-on classes in certain crafts.

Rockport

Rock City Employee Cooperative: This worker-owned cooperative moved its roastery to a larger space at 16 Rockport Park Center to a building better suited for production.

VIP Tires & Service: The Rockland-based tire store and shop has made plans to move to 1075 Commercial Street, which was, at one point, the site of a Denny's Restaurant. See that PenBay Pilot story here.

Rockland

Stone Alley Brewing: Six friends launched the small craft brewery, formerly Liberator Brewing Co., opening in early 2025, adding to Rockland's craft beer scene. See that PenBay Pilot story here.

Cafe Grazie: Set to open in late spring 2025 at 148 Main Street, this bakery, cafe, and market is being launched by the owners of Double Grazie at the spot that was formerly Wiggin's Meat Market. See that PenBay Pilot story here.

Olive Rose Chocolates: A new chocolate shop opened in February where the Rock City Coffee location used to be at 252 Main Street, offering handmade small-batch chocolates.

The Spot: The Spot, owned and operated by Brian Fickett and Jillian Lary, opened in its second location in the former Oceanside Deli at 131 North Main Street, offering salads, beef and veggie burgers, and handheld sandwiches, beer, ice cream, fries, and onion rings. See the PenBay Pilot story here.

Aroma Joe’s: A new 1,071-square-foot drive-thru coffee shop is being proposed at 182 Camden Street, with plans under city review.

Midcoast Sports Exchange: This sports equipment and apparel store has relocated to Rockland, doubling its previous space to better serve the community. See that PenBay Pilot story here.

Tenants Harbor

Ancho Honey Closes: In April, Ancho Honey announced on soical media that the popular restaurant was closing, citing a number of factors. Its other restaurant, Honey's Fried Chicken Palace, is still operating in Thomaston.

If we’ve missed a restaurant or business, email news@penbaypilot.com with the relevant details (who/what/where/when) and we’ll paste it into this story.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com