Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Look What's Popping Up at the Fisherman's Wharf Inn

Since last Friday, guests and visitors to the Fisherman’s Wharf Inn may have noticed a new neighbor. The delightful aromas of freshly popped popcorn may give them an insight into the new addition to our parking lot- that’s because the Coastal Maine Popcorn Company, formerly of 12 Oak Street, has joined us at 22 Commercial Street. This move, precipitated by the need for larger production capacity, looks, so far, to be a profitable and popular move for everyone involved.

                Having recently expanded their operations to Exchange Street in Portland, Maine- business there is soaring in that busy locale- Julie and Paul Roberts, owner-operators, decided it was high time to ramp up their production capabilities. Their location in Boothbay Harbor, while decent, has always been sort of out of the central hub of activity in the harbor. With the step up in production, they cast their eyes down the hill to the center of the harbor, needing a new spot and a better location. As luck or fate or destiny would have it, the Fisherman’s Wharf Inn had just the spot for them.

                The shop in the corner of the Fisherman’s Wharf Inn’s parking lot has served many purposes over the years. In the beginning, it was our on-site laundry, handling the cleaning and pressing duties for both the dining room and guest rooms. When these duties were outsourced, the space was converted to a small ice cream shop, serving up delicious treats for young and old alike. Most recently, it served as a small gift shop- its most popular product being cotton candy- but stood empty to start the year. Empty, as if the space itself were refusing to be filled until it had found the right tenant. And along came Coastal Maine Popcorn Company, and its’ over thirty heavenly flavors- a perfect match and a perfect spot.

                If you have never sampled this product, then I encourage you to come down and try some of this delicious popcorn. If you are a bit addicted to the many flavors, as I am, then come down and check out their new spot at 22 Commercial Street, in the parking lot of the Fisherman’s Wharf Inn. It’s a new spot, but the same great flavors, and the same great service. They are still getting all their signs up, and I am sure we are going to have some lost popcorn aficionados stop by the front desk for directions, but it is clear to your humble scribe that the Coastal Maine Popcorn Company has found itself a new home- and its relationship with the Fisherman’s Wharf Inn will be a long lasting flavor indeed!