What I Love About Damariscotta

    Those of us who make our home here in the Damariscotta - Pemaquid region of Maine feel very lucky to enjoy several locally owned businesses which have been around for a long time and are, happily, a part of the fabric of life here.  Waltz Pharmacy, Reny's, and Yellowfront Grocery among others.  In this entry I would like to acquaint you with our wonderful local bookstore, Maine Coast Book Shop and Cafe located on Main St. in downtown Damariscotta.   

   This bookstore is known for having one of the best collections of Maine titles anywhere, an outstanding inventory and a fabulous staff.  It's the kind of place where you can stop in looking for, oh let's say ...Irish epic historical novels, because you have a friend who reads them and you want to buy him a gift.  Not only will the staff lead you over to a great selection of what you are searching for, while rattling off several titles or authors as you go, but it always seems as though the staff person helping is familiar with (as in 'has read') each book. And if they haven't they often call over another staff member who seems to have expertise in just what you are looking for. The owner, Susan Porter, is usually in the store and the entire staff is well read, easy going and very helpful.

   For a 'small' bookstore, they seem to have magic shelves that somehow carry almost anything you might be looking to find. If they don't have it, they will look it up for you and order it if you like. They offer a large magazine selection and a wonderful children's book section where you are liable to find kids sitting cross legged on the floor looking at books or playing with the toys there.

   The bookstore has its' own cafe which offers pastries, smoothies, lattes, espressos, sandwiches, soups and much more. There are plenty of cozy little nooks to sit and relax inside as well as several outdoor tables, all Wi Fi accessible.  Real estate brokers being notorious coffeeaholics, it is not at all unusual to find one or more in the cafe at any time, both those associated with Newcastle Square and those that wish they were. 

   I was checking on the bookstore's website recently and found that they have added a web cam on the roof of their building, cleverly called "Camerascotta" which gives a lovely view of downtown Damariscotta, the harbor and the river beyond.  what fun!  You can read more about the bookstore on their website but be sure to stop in and look around next time you're here. It is a delightful part of our downtown landscape right next to the library and part of what I love about Damariscotta, Maine.

 

Kathy Wyman (Look for entries and information on the other businesses mentioned above in upcoming blog posts!)