New beverage business coming to Edgecomb
A new business focusing on Maine-made products and beverages is heading to Edgecomb. On April 12, Scott Boucher of Waterville and Aaliyah Higgins of Oakland told the Edgecomb Planning Board about their plans to establish their new venture on U.S. Route One.
Boucher and Higgins have visited the Boothbay region several times in recent years and thought the location was a prime spot. The business will be in the plaza which formerly housed Windsong Market. Boucher said their enterprise is called Coastal Maine Beverages. One part of the market will feature teas and hot and cold beverages. The other will feature Maine-made products. “We’re talking to vendors now,” Boucher said. “We will have popcorn from Coastal Maine Popcorn in Boothbay Harbor and others,” Boucher said.
Coastal Maine Beverages also plans on selling baked goods and bubble tea. Boucher described bubble tea as originating in Asia, and slowly becoming more available in the U.S. “It’s sometimes called Boba tea and is better known in the south,” he said. “It’s a unique drink, (and) will be a main focus of our market.”
As new owners, they want to make a strong first impression on customers with a focus on Maine-made products and a commitment to service. “We are a small business which wants to promote other Maine small businesses,” he said. “We want the store to be remembered so when people return they will want to stop, again.”
After reviewing the proposal, planning board members didn’t know whether the board or code enforcement officer was responsible for the permit. Since the applicants’ proposal wasn’t classified as a change of use, the board decided no permit was necessary.
In other action, the board voted, 5-0, approving Chris and Margot Sieracki’s permit to build a home on their Cross Point Road property. The couple is building a 24-foot by 42-foot cabin there.
The board meets next at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 18 in the conference room.
This article has been updated from its original posting.