MIDCOAST—Every year, people look forward to our "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.

Camden

Longtime Rockport businesswoman Tracie Nguyen, purchased Camden’s Megunticook Market in early 2026 with a grand re-opening in April. The market has always provided specialty groceries, beer, wine, pizza, sandwiches, and catering. Now, under Nguyen's ownership, the market offers a diverse selection of Asian groceries and hot prepared foods, such as chicken teriyaki, pork fried rice, salmon onigiri, and curry dishes. Read that PenBay Pilot story here.

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The Munching Meeple, a new family-owned board game bistro and bakehouse located at 43 Mechanic St in the Knox Mill Building (formerly the site of The Jack)opened in early April, specializing in homemade comfort food and a library of more than 450 tabletop games. For more information. visit its website.

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Camden Charcuterie and Vacationland Coffee Roasters are relocating to the wharf at Lyman-Morse in Camden with a planned opening of May 1, 2026. See the original PenBay Pilot story on Camden Charcuterie here. For more information on Vacationland Coffee Roasters, visit its website.

Belfast

Glo's Market, owned and operated by Clare Fuller, opened in early December. Her new market, an Asian and specialty store, is located at 382C Starret Drive (next to Foster's Pets store) as an offshoot retail location of her food stand. Her pantry features many Pan Asian and East and Southeast Asian ingredients, with one shelving unit dedicated entirely to Asian snacks. Read that PenBay Pilot story here.

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Nicolle Littrell, founder of DoryWoman Rowing, unveiled a new service to her business, a wood-fired six-person sauna at 15 Front Street Belfast in January called Salty Witch Sauna. The 8 x 14 sauna with aromatic Maine white cedar on the inside and Maine white pine on the outside can fit six people and has been a hit with the locals. Read that PenBay Pilot story here.

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Northport's Scone Goddess is moving its business operations to Belfast at 136 Waldo Ave. to meet its scaled-out operations. The Northport storefront will still remain open. For more information, visit its website.

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Acadia Yoga & Movement just opened at 56 Main Street with a grand opening in May. The studio offers daily classes in Vinyasa, Yin, strength-building, Pilates Fusion, gently heated yoga, an infrared sauna, and bodywork.  For more information, visit its website.

Bucksport

Cory LaForge, a Maine self-made chef, opened his first brick-and-mortar tacqueria, The Salsa Shack, at 84 Main Street in January. He started out as a food truck business and moved  into the building that once housed the popular Friars' Brewhouse Tap Room in Bucksport.  The Salsa Shack serves up homemade tacos and burritos. Read that PenBay Pilot story here.

Owls Head

The Apron, a fast-casual restaurant located in the Knox County Regional Airport terminal, rebranded this winter with the help of Evan Stevens, a visual artist and self-taught home cook. The Apron has now turned into a different culinary concept called Nomad, serving breakfast and lunch with daily specials and featuring special brunches on weekends. Read that PenBay Pilot story here.

Rockland

The Landings Restaurant at 1 Commercial Street, right on the ocean, closed after 14 years in December, citing the rising costs of running a restaurant. Dry Dock Restaurant, located at the Rockland Harbor for five years, has now moved into that space and will soon be reopening for the summer. Find out updates on its Facebook page.

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A new roast beef pop-up entered the Rockland scene this winter. Roasty's, a Portland roast beef sandwich shop, opened inside the Main Street Markets Gallery (adjacent to the market and café at 435 Main Street) every Monday and Tuesday. Signature sandwiches are made in the styles of Boston and the North Shore, Buffalo, Chicago, L.A., New Jersey, and Philadelphia. Read that PenBay Pilot story here.

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Yoiki, a Japanese food truck featuring hibachi, sushi, and ramen noodle dishes, had to relocate from the Rockland/Thomaston line due to the sale of the property. It is now open at 164 New County Road in Rockland. Find out updates on its Facebook page.

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A new Aroma Joe's coffee shop also opened its first location on Maine's Midcoast at 182 Camden St. in Rockland near Pizza Hut. The new location features a drive-thru and outdoor seating. For more information, visit its Facebook page.

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Lupine Home Company, located at 412 Main St in Rockland, Maine, had its grand opening on May 1. The new boutique features interior design services, furniture, and home decor. For more information, visit its website.

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Rockland Makers Market, run by Christa Zuber, also had a grand opening on May 1. Located at 376 Main Street, the Market, which has previously operated outdoors with pop-ups in Harbor Park for the Sunday Strolls, now additionally has an indoor space filled with fine works from Maine artists, crafters, and makers. For more information, visit its Facebook page.

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Newty's Ice Cream, which first opened at the Sandy Beach Park South End location in Rockland , will open its second location at 367 Main st in Rockland with a grand opening on May 8. For more information, visit its Facebook page.

Thomaston

The big news this winter was commercial development at 198 New County Road in Thomaston. The 8,035 sq ft, four-tenant commercial structure now features a new Jersey Mike’s Subs, a Starbucks with a drive-thru, and an AT&T store. See the original PenBay Pilot story here.

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The Zack Shack, a food truck previously located near Dunkin Donuts on the Rockland/Thomaston line, also had to relocate this winter.  The new location is at 157 New County Road in Thomaston. See below for the second brick-and-mortar location. For more information, visit its Facebook page.

Waldoboro

Friends Anna Hymanson and Kelsey Woodworth opened their first daytime neighborhood cafe and market in Waldoboro's downtown, called Dayboat Cafe in March. The hearty menu features soups, salads, sandwiches, and take-out meals, as well as beer and wine. Read that PenBay Pilot story here. 

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The owner of The Zack Shack food truck has also opened a second restaurant at 1587 Atlantic Highway called Zack's Place. The restaurant is known for its fresh haddock sandwiches, cheeseburgers, and lobster rolls, with generous portions. Read the original PenBay Pilot story here and see its new Facebook page.

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