From early spring, with the jarring announcement that Damariscotta’s 50-year-old Maine Coast Book Shop and Cafe was up for sale, all efforts were made to reassure worried patrons that their favorite bookshop was in no danger of disappearing and that, in fact, as highest priority, everything possible would be done to find the perfect new owner and keep the same excellent bookshop on Main Street for many years to come. In the months since, however, few have seemed much comforted.
Well, happily, those worries can be put to rest; owner Susan Porter and her husband, Barnaby, are pleased to announce the right person has indeed come along. That person is Jeff Curtis, of Boothbay Harbor, owner of Sherman’s Books in five locations up and down the Maine coast – Bar Harbor, Camden, Boothbay Harbor, Freeport, and Portland.
Having a store in Damariscotta will make it six. The Bar Harbor store, first opened in 1886 by William Sherman and once owned by Jeff Curtis’ parents, Pat and Mike Curtis, is the oldest independent bookstore in the state of Maine, about to enter its 130th year.
The Porters are delighted that Jeff Curtis is not only a local person who knows the community and its people, but who, most especially, knows the book business and the importance of independent bookstores.
“Putting what amounts to my life’s work into the hands of a new owner is a pretty emotional process,” said Susan Porter, “but because it’s Jeff Curtis, I am very much relieved. And we are thrilled to know he will be honoring our name by running his strong team of six independent stores under the new name of Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shops.”
In 2008, the Damariscotta store was named The New England Bookstore of the Year by the Book Publishers Representatives of New England and the New England Independent Booksellers Association – a top honor. Sherman’s and the Maine Coast Book Shop are the most popular bookstores in Maine, and both have been named Best Bookstore in Maine by Down East magazine readers through the years.
Jeff Curtis said, “Joining together, we look forward to bringing the best of the Maine Coast Book Shop to the other Sherman’s stores and the best of Sherman’s to the Maine Coast Book Shop to ultimately create the best of the best local, independent bookstores ever.”
He believes the acquisition of the popular and successful Maine Coast Book Shop will increase annual sales by approximately 20 percent, bringing further strength to the long-term viability of independent bookselling in Maine and ensuring the continuation of the vital literary resource built by Susan Porter in Damariscotta.
“I feel strongly that a bookstore is the soul of a vibrant downtown, and we will do everything in our power to make sure The Maine Coast Book Shop and Cafe remains the social and cultural center of Damariscotta,” Curtis said. “We do not intend to make any significant changes.”
The same dedicated, friendly, knowledgeable staff will, of course, be staying with the Damariscotta store. Added to the mix in various ways will be Jeff Curtis, his daughter, Tori Curtis; and Maria Boord, his life partner. All three are very excited at the prospect of becoming part of Damariscotta.
Tori Curtis, who joined the company two years ago, has long admired the Maine Coast Book Shop and looks forward to spending a lot of time in town, getting to know the bookshop’s established personality and relationship to the community.
Boord, best known as an accomplished painter of seascapes, also has extensive experience in the food service business, including as head chef at The Squire Tarbox Inn and as owner of Maria’s Cafe in New Harbor some years ago. Her attentions will obviously include the bookshop’s cafe – the first cafe ever in the Sherman’s chain – and how to apply her creative juices to that all-important part of the enterprise.
Jeff Curtis will also acquire Susan and Barnaby Porter’s interest in historic Lincoln Hall. He looks forward to continuing the Porters’ excellent stewardship of this downtown landmark. And, rest assured, world, he has every intention of maintaining the popular Camerascotta webcam on the roof.
Susan and Barnaby Porter will continue running the store through this Christmas season. Jeff Curtis and his team expect to assume daily operations of the Maine Coast Book Shop and Cafe on Jan. 1.