Oysterhead Pizza Co. owners Rachel and Alex Nevens explain their new venture to the Damariscotta Board of Selectmen on Wednesday, Oct. 2. They plan a “soft opening” during the Oct. 11-14 holiday weekend. (Evan Houk photo)
The Damariscotta Board of Selectmen approved liquor licenses for a pair of new eateries, Oysterhead Pizza Co. and Y-Knot Underground, Wednesday, Oct. 2.
The approvals followed public hearings for each license application.
Oysterhead Pizza Co. owners Alex and Rachel Nevens briefly talked about their new business with the selectmen.
Alex Nevens said Oysterhead Pizza Co., at 189 Main St., will be a “fast casual” place that specializes in wood-fired pizza and will serve beer and wine.
“The most important question: Are you going to sell pizza by the slice?” Robin Mayer, chair of the board of selectmen, said.
“Yes, during the day,” Alex and Rachel Nevens said in unison.
The husband-and-wife team hopes to open in time for the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest, which will take place over the Oct. 12-14 holiday weekend, with a limited menu that will include pizza by the slice.
“We’ll get through the main bulk of Pumpkinfest, work out the kinks with our oven. Then we’ll take about a three-day break and then come in with a full menu … so kind of a soft opening for Pumpkinfest, which doesn’t sound smart,” Alex Nevens said to laughter.
The couple also owns and operates the Newcastle Publick House.
The three co-owners of Y-Knot Underground talked about their relocation from a trailer on Route 1 in Newcastle to a more permanent location at 590 Main St. in Damariscotta.
Co-owner Mindy Jones said Y-Knot will also be a “fast casual” spot, serving homemade gourmet sandwiches as well as beer and wine.
“It’s a lot of family recipes,” Jones said.
“Thank you for investing in our community,” Selectman Josh Pinkham said to the owners of both businesses.
“Absolutely. We love to welcome new businesses to town,” Mayer agreed.
