By Charlotte Boynton
Huber’s Market on Route 1 in Wiscasset is now open under new management. Owner Tina Fitzsimmons plans to bring back Huber’s Market as run by the late Gordon Huber, who owned and operated the store for 40 years. (Charlotte Boynton photo) |
Tina Fitzsimmons and her partner, Lenny Santos, have taken over the operation of Huber’s Market in Wiscasset and will work to bring the traditions of the late Gordon Huber back to their customers, which includes good food and a friendly atmosphere, according to Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons, who has operated Ship’s Chow Hall for the past 11 years, purchased both the restaurant building and Huber’s Market at an auction in January
2013, and is determined to bring back the Huber’s Market people remember.
After purchasing the building, she decided to lease the store for a couple of years to give her time to do some work on the restaurant building before taking over the store.
Fitzsimmons leased the building to John Smigielski and Mark McGuy, who ran the store for the past two years.
During an interview with Fitzsimmons Tuesday afternoon, she said she and Santos are ready to take on the job. “We loved Huber’s and we want to bring Huber’s back,” she said. “We ask our customers to be patient with us. It will take some time. We will do it slowly.”
Fitzsimmons opened Ship’s Chow Hall in March 2004 and continues to credit the late Gordon Huber for giving her the chance to establish her business in Wiscasset, a business that has grown over the years and now includes a second Ship’s Chow Hall in Dresden Mills.
Although she will continue to operate Ship’s Chow Hall in Wiscasset while Huber’s will be managed by Laura Hall, Fitzsimmons will have her hand in the business of the market.
Known for her homemade breads and pastries, she makes fresh muffins every morning for the customers of Huber’s Market, as well as Ship’s Chow Hall.
Huber’s Market owner Tina Fitzsimmons (left) joins store manager Laura Hall in the kitcken of Huber’s Market Tuesday afternoon, July 21. Fitzsimmons and her partner, Lenny Santos, have reopened Huber’s after leasing it out for the past two years. (Charlotte Boynton photo) |
Huber’s Market is a landmark in Wiscasset. It was owned and operated by the late Gordon Huber for about 40 years. His was the first store in the area to make and sell Italian sandwiches. It was a popular stop for commuters going to work in the morning, coming home at night, and for takeout orders, including for its popular pizza.
Currently there are two employees in the store, with the third one to be hired very soon, according to Fitzsimmons.
“When we get the third employee we will open at 5:30 a.m. We want to provide a place for the commuters to stop for their morning coffee, lottery ticket, paper, and whatever else they need,” Fitzsimmons said. “We want it also to be a place for people to have lunch while waiting for the bus.”
Tables and chairs are set up inside the store for the convenience of customers who want to eat their lunch inside, with a picnic table outside.
The menu at Huber’s Market now is much like the menu offered for many years by Gordon Huber. “Our goal is to bring Huber’s Market back to Wiscasset,” Fitzsimmons said.
Fitzsimmons invites people to stop in and let them know how they are doing, and also let them know
what they can do to make it better. “We will listen,” she said.
The hours for the next two or three weeks are Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.