Business Shuffle Kicks Off Summer Season

BAR HARBOR — Memorial Day weekend marks the traditional start of summer tourist season here, and area businesses are gearing up for a busy year. Brand new shops and restaurants are sprouting downtown, while several longstanding businesses have changed hands or moved to new locations.

One of the highlights of the annual business shuffle is at the Opera House Internet Café. Angel and Matt Hochman are the new owners of the Cottage Street business. The pair, who are respectively 40 and 36-years-old, have managed the café for the past five years and have contemplated the purchase for a while. The time, they said, was just right this year.

Both love working in the café, which offers coffee drinks, smoothies, pastries and desserts. The Opera House also boasts 20 computers, WiFi access, and a number of board games. Regulars should not worry about too many changes, the pair said, and should expect the same relaxed atmosphere as always.

“We’re really going for grandma’s house with milk and cookies after school meets high-tech computer geekdom,” Ms Hochman said. “Our goal is to be really as laid back as possible.”

The Opera House, at 27 Cottage Street, is open daily from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. until mid-June, when it will stay open until 11 p.m.

Other businesses in town have opened, closed or changed hands this year. At 44 Cottage Street, formerly the site of All Fired Up ceramic studio and art gallery, is Simply Natural, a shop carrying high-end Alpaca garments and accessories. Owner Mike Pomeroy hails from Amherst, Maine and is looking forward to doing business in Bar Harbor.

Julia the Psychic has moved out of her store at 164 Main Street and set up shop a couple doors down at 156 Main Street, former site of Michelle’s Brown Bag. Building owner David Andro is currently working with the design review board for a sign at the space announcing the Main Street Diner.

The former psychic shop at 164 Main Street is now Katahdin Photo Gallery. Owner Steve Bart moved his business there this spring from just down the block, at 110 Main Street.

At Mr. Bart’s old location has sprouted The Candle Sculptor, which is owned by Joseph Grollino.

Meanwhile, Parkside Restaurant owner Jennifer Lozano is set to open the Best of Bar Harbor shop in one of the storefront spaces attached to her restaurant, across from the village green. Just next door, at the site of the old Parkside Pub, is Leary’s Landing, which moved to the site from its old location on Cottage Street.

Just down Mount Desert Street a few doors is Spruce and Gussy. Owners Michelle Souza and Patty Savoie are offering an eclectic selection of home wares and personal products in their new shop.

Keep an eye out for upcoming issues of the Mount Desert Islander with more business changes, as well as profiles on new businesses and their owners.

For more business news, pick up a copy of the Mount Desert Islander.

Comments (0)