New food and dining developments are taking place all across Maine. Here are some recent updates to keep you in the know:

• James Hatch and Susan Schiro have announced they’re closing Home Kitchen Cafe (above left). Their last day in business will be October 18th. The Rockland restaurant launched on February 24, 2009. “This place has always been about more than food. It’s been about doing things the right way, every single day. From scratch cooking to genuine hospitality, we set a standard for ourselves and worked hard to live up to it. This is not a post we ever thought we would make, but in today’s world, maintaining our level of quality has become increasingly challenging. Like many in our industry, we’ve faced a growing struggle to find and keep the skilled, dedicated team needed to consistently deliver the experience our customers expect and deserve. Rather than compromise what Home Kitchen Cafe stands for, we feel it’s the right time to step away.” For additional reporting, see this article from the Midcoast Villager.
• The owners of Corner Bar (above right) in Rangeley have announced they’re closing. Their last day in business will be Saturday. “We can’t thank you all enough for such a wonderful time in our lives, to be able to work as a family in our sweet little town. We are excited to celebrate it all, for one last time, all week long and hoping for all the hugs and your favorite Corner Bar memories shared.”
• Scientific American magazine has published an article entitled How apple detectives solved the mystery of an ancient tree—and rewrote the history of fruit “He plugged the data from a Maine sample coded AMHO-504 into a spreadsheet tool that would compare it against his collection. Then he sat back, agape. High up in the continental pedigree the entire DNA fingerprint matched a predicted empty space. The Maine team had found a living lost progenitor to hundreds of varieties—a tree that had been contributing its characteristics to American apples for hundreds of years.”
• The 2nd Annual Maine Bagel-Off will be taking place on October 24th in Wiscasset. A dozen Maine bagel bakeries have already been signed up to participate including Spark, Scratch, Knead & Nosh, Dutchman’s and Gemini. See this article from the Boothbay Register for additional reporting.
• An article entitled A Chef of Two Cities about The Alna Store is included in the newly released issue 4 of Tomato Tomato. “The Alna Store can also throw visitors for a loop, Ludwig says. It’s more than a gas station–style rest stop, as some expect it to be, yet less polished than the fine-dining destination others imagine from its national acclaim. It’s just a “funky general store,” Ludwig says, and “the vast majority of folks who sit down and give us a chance fall somewhat in love.” “
• A new coffee shop called Grounded Coffee (facebook) recently opened in Boothbay. They serve a menu of baked goods, breakfast sandwiches and other treats. They’re sourcing their coffee from Coffee on the Porch in Camden. For additional reporting see this article in the Boothbay Register.
• The Bangor Daily News has published a report on The Fireheart Tavern (website, facebook, instagram), a bookstore bar under construction on Main Street in Bangor. “Customers will be able to browse both used and new books, and the bar serving cocktails, mocktails, wine and beer will double as a cafe counter with specialty coffee, matcha and chai. The store will offer books and events for a wide variety of genres, with a particular emphasis on fantasy.”
• Brunswick Wine Week (website, facebook, instagram) is taking place November 9th through the 15th. It will feature, wine tastings, wine classes, wine dinners, and chances to meet local sommeliers.
• The Maine Sunday Telegram has published a 3 star review of The Biergarten in Skowhegan.
• The Haunted Mill Ball 2026 is taking place October 31 at the Run of the Mill in Saco. “Departing from standard Halloween costume parties, The Haunted Mill Ball: Night Shift invites guests to step directly inside an environmental, story-driven horror mystery inspired by immersive theater productions and engaging all 5 senses. Upon arrival, attendees receive authentic cardstock time cards to “punch in”, triggering an active investigation across the venue to uncover the century-old mystery of the Blackwood Mill Disaster and the ghostly presence that continues to haunt the mill.”
• The Veggies to Table Harvest Dinner is taking place October 17th at The Contented Sole in New Harbor.
• BiddoFoodies has published field reports from Xota Brewing in Waterboro and Polar Plug Ice Cream in East Waterboro.
• The Hungry Mainer has published field reports from Baker’s Bench in Westbrook and Pizza by Alex in Biddeford.
• Wandering Lost and Hungry has published a field report from Papou’s Pita in Biddeford.

The Maine Food Map is our statewide dining guide with a list of 123 coffee shops, bars, restaurants, bakeries, cafes, and other food and dining businesses from across Maine’s 16 counties.