ROCKLAND—No sooner had we pressed the “publish” button on the Welcome back to the Rockland area, Snow Birds 2023 article than a host of new businesses and expansions sprung up like dandelions in Rockland. Here’s the rundown of what’s new and what to check out during the annual Summer Solstice Street Party on June 17.

Main Street Markets renovates, expands to-go food offerings

After months of renovation, Main Street Markets, a full-service specialty grocer, deli, and cafe, held its grand re-opening on Wednesday, June 7. Co-founder Jennifer Rockwell, along with her father, co-founder Rick Rockwell, listened to community input, which requested fewer retail options and more options for more prepared foods to go. 

The new Hot & Cold Food Bar with a daily rotating culinary theme such as Indian-inspired Monday and Taco Tuesday, is offered on weekdays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Saturday, 9 a.m. to  2 p.m.  The store also has an in-house bakery, grab-and-go items, breakfast and lunch for sit-down or take-out, salads, vegan offerings, provisions, and prepared meals from Ada’s Kitchen, an Italian restaurant down the street.

“We have coffee by Speckled Ax, a new espresso machine, and a soft-serve ice cream maker,” said Jen Rockwell. The store also carries many local beers and wines and other non-alcoholic beverages.

To see Main Street Markets menu and other offerings visit: www.mainstreetmarkets.com

Winafred & Evalyn opens on Main Street

A new home goods and furnishings store, operated by Hiata Corduan, has recently opened in the Thorndike building lobby on 385 Main Street next to Curator. “I named the store after both of my grandmothers and it’s been years in the making, but the theme is vintage, upcycled, and new,” she said.

Corduan has sourced her inventory from artists in Maine and from around the country. “I really try to source from a lot of small women-owned businesses,” she said.

Her store offerings include pillows and throws, linens, tote bags and accessories, glasses and dishware, candles and soaps, and furnishings and lighting. Her main aesthetic is recycled or upcycled pieces that have been well-crafted, along with new, quality home goods.

“I try to hit all the price points for folks, for a gift to give someone or just to yourself,” she said.

Her store is open Wednesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information visit: www.winifredandevalyn.com

Two Daughters Maine Sea Salt

Blink and you might miss it, but down the residential street on 11 Talbot Avenue in a converted garage, is Ian and Emily Emmott’s sea salt micro-business. He makes and sells around a dozen varieties from flake sea salt to flavored sea salts out of the attached garage.

Ian Emmott souces his salt from seawater, which he harvests off secluded harbors in the Midcoast. He even made his own wood-fired kiln, which he uses to process down to a concentrated brine, and then sun cures it to its final form. The Emmotts, who are raising two small daughters, (hence the business name) wanted a side business that allowed them to spend more time with their children. Ian Emmott, a veteran, left his cushy job at the Veterans Association, in order to do that, and to make his own natural products from home.

The store hours are Monday through Wednesday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit: www.twodaughtersmaine.com

Harvest The Light, jewelry store opens

Seth Fainkujen, a jewelry artist who went to high school in Belfast, and has been gone for 20 years, recently moved back to the Midcoast to Rockland with his wife. His renovated studio is at 26 Rankin Street (formerly the Ripple Initiative).

His custom-crafted jewelry is full of poetry, reminiscent of themes of the sea, pirates, Vikings, folktales, and more. “I look at making jewelry as though making future artifacts,” he said. “If they were found 200 years from now, they’d still be timeless. I really enjoy history, folklore, and whimsical stuff. I try to incorporate it in the design process to give each piece this explosive feeling, like harvesting the light.”

His hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for walk-ins on weekdays and by appointment on the weekend. Find his work at: https://harvest-the-light.com

Summer Solstice Street Party & Rock The Dock takes place June 17

Main Street in Rockland will be closed down for a family-friendly street party from 4 to 7 p.m. with live music, dancing, kids activities, crafts, and more. Then, the adult’s-only dock party takes place from 6 to 10 p.m at Journey’s End Marina. Adults Only 21 and Over, I.D. Required. No Cover, Cash-only bar, games, dancing, and live music by Red House with support from DJ Dan Miller. FMI: Facebook

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com