Ship’s Chow Hall is more than just a business to Tina Fitzsimmons.

“It is my life,” she said. “This is where my heart is, my customers are part of my family, and they are what keep me going.”

Fitzsimmons was the high bidder in a public auction last week of the former Huber’s Market and the Ship’s Chow Hall building.  

“The thought of losing this building just made me sick, that is why I had to bid on the property …. I was afraid that a new owner would take down my building.”

Fitzsimmons opened Ship’s Chow Hall March 9, 2004, with $1,500 in her pocket. She credits the late Gordon Huber for giving her the opportunity to get started.

She had been running a snack bar at the Montsweag Flea Market for approximately 10 years when Huber called and asked if she would be interested in renting the building that was being vacated Jan. 1, 2004.

She said she has come a long way since those early years of building her business in Wiscasset on a shoestring; she opened another restaurant in Dresden Mills which is also very successful.

Fitzsimmons grew up in the restaurant business. With her mother owning a restaurant in New York, cooking became as a second nature to her.

Fitzsimmons is known for her homemade breads and pastries, as well as her skills in cake decorating and pie making.

Now that she will be the owner of the former Huber’s Market, along with the restaurant, some are wondering what she will do with both the buildings.

She said Ship’s Chow Hall will continue to give her customers the service she has given them for the past nine years.

The only changes will be some enhancements to the building itself. “I love this building, it has been good to me, and it is in need of some tender loving care,” she said. “Like a new roof, and either new siding or a new paint job.”

As for the former Huber’s Market, she plans to lease the building to someone that will bring back the same type of business as Huber’s Market, which served the people of Wiscasset from 1964 until 2007.  

“I know we cannot go back,” Fitzsimmons said. “But I would like to see someone there selling pizzas, Italian sandwiches, subs,  hot coffee, and a local stop for people going to and coming from work.

“I would like it to remain a bus stop, a place for people to wait inside for the bus. This is what I would like to see,” she said.

Fitzsimmons said she credits her success, in part, to the fact she listens to her customers and is a community minded person.

Although her days begin at 5 a.m. and end around 2 p.m., on the first Wednesday of every month she will open her restaurant at 6 p.m. for the Wiscasset Lions Club meeting, serving them dinner beginning with a salad, soup, main course, homemade rolls and beverages.

She has catered the Wiscasset High School Alumni Banquet for the past two years, receiving high accolades for the food she served.

This past Christmas she supported the Alan-Dee Dairy 4-H Club in raising funds to adopt a family for Christmas in their “County Christmas in the Barn” project, held at Morris Farm. Fitzsimmons donated soup, chili and corn bread for the 2-day event.

A few years ago, she said her customers asked her to open in the evening for a Valentine’s dinner, which she did. The event has continued to grow each year.

This year on Thursday, Feb. 14, she will open again for a Valentine's dinner from 5-8 p.m. The menu will include crab baked stuffed haddock, prime rib, or meat lasagna, along with salad, dessert and a beverage at $39.95 per couple.

Fitzsimmons said she is very grateful to her customers and employees. “I need them, and I want always to show my appreciation to them for support and dedication.”

Charlotte Boynton can be reached at 207-844-4632 or cboynton@wiscassetnewspaper.com.