Going for an ice cream on Matinicus Island is no longer just a bit of wishful thinking.
On July 9 at 11 a.m. a line had already formed outside the door of the new Matinicus Island Store located, as it says on the signs, “at Aunt Belle’s.” Islanders who have been waiting for many months for this special day showed up to hand over the store’s first dollar (of which there were actually at least a half-dozen), express their enthusiasm, and check out the surprisingly abundant inventory. Above all, they went for the ice cream. I mean, WE went for the ice cream.
It has been easily a decade since this community has had a grocery store. Islanders have carried their supplies from the mainland by airplane or lobster boat, run errands for neighbors, stocked up, borrowed or done without. For the last few years we have faxed grocery orders to Shaw’s in Rockland and hoped for clear weather while waiting for our stuff to arrive – maybe that day, maybe not. This arrangement is an enormous help (and we are most appreciative!) but spontaneous shopping, filling a need in the middle of a recipe, or stopping into a store for a treat have been merely warm memories for Matinicus residents.
For the past year or so, three friends, Mikki Ames, Blair Clement and Ann Twombly, had been planning and laboring on a small general store which was set to open in early June. Islanders looked forward to simple pleasures like lingering over a cup of coffee with neighbors while waiting for the mail to be sorted. Unfortunately that cozy shop, nearly ready for its grand opening, happened to be located in the same building as the Matinicus Post Office. That historic structure with all its contents was destroyed by an accidental fire on April 28 (WWF June 2008). For a month or so, nobody knew whether a Matinicus store was still a possibility.
Ann and her daughter Lisa Twombly-Hussey decided that “plan B” would be to open a smaller establishment beside Lisa’s home, a house which, like several older island homes, is referred to affectionately by the name of an occupant from years ago; thus, “Aunt Belles.” Following a considerable bit of clearing out, carpentry and painting by Lisa’s husband, Nat Hussey, and with the support of community members who painted signs, brought pickup trucks to haul away junk, delivered coolers and shelving to the island by boat, watched Lisa’s small children while she worked, donated an extra refrigerator and offered all manner of other help, the bright little store was ready for a July 4 “open house.” While fresh paint finished drying and stock arrived on the Penobscot Island Air planes, neighbors gathered for a peek, a slice of watermelon and, best of all, an ice cream cone.
If it sounds like the ice cream is rather a big deal, you’re right. There is a lot more to the Matinicus Island Store than the convenience of picking up a container of milk. This is a much-needed psychological boost for our community. We’ve had a rough few months, between the post office fire and resulting hassles, several funerals and other sad events and, as one fisherman added as he bought a bag of chips, “a month of fog – that’s got everybody messed up too.” Islanders open the screen door, walk through the newly-built entry where local notices and a large American flag hang, and enter the store to find candy and snacks, steaks from Curtis’ Meats, fresh produce, locally-baked cookies, a deep-freeze full of Gifford’s and Ben and Jerry’s and more, and behind the counter Annie, Lisa, or eighth-grader Lydia Twombly-Hussey ably assisting the happy customers. The operative word here is “happy.” Ann and Lisa’s patrons really do look pleased. “Wow, how about that new store?” quipped minister Danny Watson, from East Millinocket. “That is nice!” His words echo everybody’s.
“There has never been a store since I’ve lived here,” said customer Emily Rantala, smiling broadly as she surveyed the heavily-laden shelves. For 18-year-old Stephen Ames, who has told Lisa “I love this store” on more than one occasion, no memory of a Matinicus store exists. Those who have been here a very long time recall with fondness the old Henry Young and Company store, with Clayton Young behind the counter. Young didn’t mind ordering something special for his regular customers and the new merchants make the same offer. “Just tell me what you want, I can probably get it!” Lisa reminds folks. One young fisherman immediately replies, “bacon.” Another year-rounder asks about a particular frozen treat not available in Rockland supermarkets.
Many islanders say they appreciate the option of having somebody else deal with the work of getting supplies to the island. Prices, although obviously higher than on the mainland due to freight costs and economies of scale, are entirely reasonable and compare favorably when you consider the expenses involved with transporting groceries to the island. On the door hangs a scribbled list of customer comments from the first day, among them “I saved 16 dollars!” Another summer visitor, upon arriving, made the statement that “I just lugged all this stuff out here, and look, you’ve got every single thing I bought! I didn’t have to go to that trouble!”
The store is open from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday through the summer. Lisa and Ann say they will have to see what makes sense for the winter season. From organic milk and fresh cilantro to Ramen noodles and root beer, the new Matinicus Island Store carries a wide variety of goods. Most importantly, though, they carry ice cream!