WELLS, Maine — The site of the Maine Diner is slated for the auction block, just four months after the iconic eatery went on the real estate market for $3.3 million.
Remember the Maine Gift Shop, located next door, is also part of the property at 2265 Post Road, for which Keenan Auction Company of Portland will hold a foreclosure auction at 11 a.m. on June 4.
Jim MacNeill and his wife, Karen, have owned the diner and gift shop for the past 8 years. MacNeill began working at the diner 30 years ago, starting as a manager and eventually becoming general manager.
During an interview on May 6, MacNeill expressed confidence that next month’s auction will not be necessary, as he is taking steps to address financial challenges associated with the property.
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In the meantime, MacNeill said Maine Diner remains open Thursdays through Saturdays, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. He said he is working to increase his staff so that the diner can be open for more hours.
“The intent is to be open Fridays through Tuesdays for dinner,” he said.
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MacNeill noted that while the property and buildings at 2265 Post Road are headed to auction, he still owns the diner’s name. If a buyer wants to keep operating a diner on the site, he said, they will need to purchase the “Maine Diner” name from him.
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The diner’s financial challenges began during the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to MacNeill.
MacNeill said the diner did not experience financial difficulties during 2020 and 2021, the first two years of the global health crisis, thanks to Paycheck Protection Program funding from the federal government.
When the nationwide workforce shortage hit in 2022, MacNeill said he no longer had enough employees to open for dinner. Revenues fell as a result, and covering expenses became increasingly difficult.
To attract a larger staff, MacNeill purchased Coast Village Inn and Cottages on Route 1 to provide housing for employees. However, MacNeill said revenue challenges persisted at the diner and hotel last summer, as local tourism dipped in response to increased tariffs and strained relations between the United States and Canada.
“The diner couldn’t support both businesses,” MacNeill said. “The diner remains entirely viable, but the inn is not.”
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“The hotel provided a solution, but created a new problem,” he added. “I couldn’t sell a room last summer. No one was here.”
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Keenan Auction Company will also try to sell Coast Village Inn and Cottages during a foreclosure auction at 876 Post Road on May 15 at 4 p.m.
The hotel is a 30‑unit lodging complex on 3.4 acres near shops, restaurants, and beaches, according to Keenan Auction Company. In addition to the main inn, guest rooms are spread across two corridor‑style buildings — one two‑story and one single‑story — along with 10 on‑site cottages. Amenities include a swimming pool, on‑site parking, a recreation area, and sun decks.
The site of the inn is where Edmund Littlefield, known as the “Father of Wells,” built his home, sawmill, and gristmill in the early 1640s, according to the Wells Historical Society.
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“His establishment of these mills enticed and enabled future settlers to make their homes here,” according to the records at the town Historical Society.
BIDDEFORD –– A new state highway improvement project aims to address safety issues along one of Biddeford’s busiest roadways.
The Maine Department of Transportation is planning a project to redesign a 1,500-foot segment of Route 1, known locally as Elm Street, with work expected to begin in early 2027. The work will stretch from the southern end of the Saco River Bridge to the Main Street intersection.
“The proposed improvements are intended to reduce conflicts and improve overall safety for all users,” DOT Spokesperson Andrew Gobeil said in a statement.
Among other safety issues, the new project aims to address the intersection with Lincoln Street. According to a DOT report, the intersection has had nine reported crashes between 2021 and 2023 alone, making it a “high-crash location.”
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Jason Beaulieu owns Jason’s Auto Service, which is right up the street from the Lincoln Street intersection. He said a rear-ender accident just recently happened right in front of his business, and welcomed safety-related improvements.
Jason Beaulieu stands in front of his business, Jason’s Auto Service, on Route 1 in Biddeford Wednesday. He said he looks forward to safety-related improvements scheduled for the busy roadway. (Spectrum News/Sean Murphy)
“Route 1’s a busy road, a lot of things going on,” he said. “You know, if we can make things better, I like seeing our money going into roads, into transportation and everything.”
Other DOT documents indicate that higher traffic volumes in recent years have contributed to “congestion, delay, and operational challenges.”
The project includes adding new signals at key intersections, including Lincoln Street. The project also calls for new curbs and sidewalks to accommodate pedestrians. The plan will convert Pearl Street into a one-way roadway, with traffic moving away from Elm Street.
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Officials said they are still seeking public input to refine the project’s final design, but they expect to solicit bids this fall, with work to begin in early 2027.
Beaulieu said the work might be noisy when it happens, but he doesn’t think it will really disrupt his business, and he looks forward to the benefits when it’s done.
“Any kind of progress is good,” he said. “That’s what we’ve got to do.”
Beach Pea Biking Co. in Kittery offers house-made pastries, sandwiches and a mild iced latte. Beach Pea and four others make our list of great spots to stop for coffee in southern York County. (Isabelle Oss/Staff Writer)
The weather in Vacationland has finally warmed up, and that urge to drop everything for a ride along Route 1 with the windows down is getting stronger.
The perfect addition to a summer road trip? A tasty drink from a locally owned cafe.
Whether you’re on your way to one of Maine’s famous lighthouses, you’re an avid coffee shop hopper or you just have a free day to explore our state, these five spots in southern York county are worth a detour.
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Beach Pea Baking Co.
53 State Road, Suite A, Kittery. beachpeabaking.com
Starting in Maine’s southernmost town, Beach Pea Baking Co. is just as quaint as the name suggests. Specializing in artisan breads and baked goods, the shop is a neighborhood favorite in Kittery.
The bakery’s interior includes a bustling front-of-house with an inviting nook, perfect for a break from the car. Beach Pea looks like it could be someone’s home, providing that “made-with-love” feeling complete with a sun-soaked porch seating overlooking lush foliage.
The extensive lunch and coffee menu makes it an easy choice for an early-morning jump-start or a midday stop. The iced latte is mild with a nutty palate, offering a refreshing treat that pairs perfectly with any of the baked goods.
Pro tip: If there’s one thing you try, let it be the lemon poppyseed cookie.
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Provisions at Pepperrell Cove
88 Pepperrell Road, Kittery. pepperrellcove.com
An iced coffee from Provisions at Pepperrell Cove. (Isabelle Oss/staff Writer)
Perhaps the most scenic stop on this list is Provisions at Pepperrell Cove. Opened in 2018 as part of the Pepperell Cove site’s expansion, this small shop has become a central spot for visitors.
Stop in for some affordable self-serve brews from North Berwick roaster Carpe Diem Brews, look around the market and wander out to the marina to take it all in. Enjoying an iced coffee with panoramic views of the cove, Portsmouth Harbor and Gooseberry Island is sure to be a memorable piece of any Maine road trip.
Bonus: If coffee isn’t enough, the Pepperell Cove site also features two gourmet restaurants right on the water, making it a great place to commemorate a fun vacation.
Chickadee Tea, Coffee, Eats
43 State Route 236, Suite 1, Eliot. chickadeemaine.com
Chickadee Tea, Coffee, Eats in Eliot specializes in looseleaf tea and roasts its own coffee beans. (Isabelle Oss/Staff Writer)
A few minutes off the coastal road trip path — but still worth a detour — is Chickadee Tea, Coffee, Eats. The shop specializes in sustainably sourced looseleaf teas inspired by owner Jonathan Blakeslee’s time spent in Hokkaido, Japan, as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard.
In addition to its teas, which are sold in bags alongside local goods, Chickadee offers an exciting array of house-baked pastries, seasonal matcha drinks and a solid iced latte.
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This shop pays homage to Maine classics with flavors like salted blueberry maple and provides enticing opportunities for new flavor combos like orange cardamom.
A stop into Chickadee will immerse you in the spirit of Vacationland and offer the perfect dose of small-town charm.
Nectar Cafe at Bell Farms
244 U.S. Route 1, York. nectarcafeatbellfarm.com
An iced latte from Nectar Cafe. (Isabelle Oss/Staff Writer)
Another stop right on Route 1, Nectar Cafe is situated in a bright red, 20-foot trailer outside a barn-style shop called Bell Farms.
With specialty drinks like the blueberry pancake or Maine maple latte, this is an idyllic stop to stretch your legs and spend some time outside.
Nectar also features baked goods from other southern Maine favorites, like Pie Girl Baking Co.’s cinnamon rolls and tasty treats from Lovebirds Donuts.
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Surrounded by lush forest and chirping birds, Nectar is well-suited for those that want a breath of fresh, coastal air.
Swell House
1300 U.S. Route 1, York. swellhousemaine.com
On your way to Nubble Light? Swell House is right around the corner, serving stellar food and drink.
Swell House in Cape Neddick sells coffee and beachwear and hosts events. (Isabelle Oss/Staff Writer)
Named after the state’s iconic tides, the shop is more than coffee. Inside, you’ll find racks of trendy beachwear, locally made goods and friendly staff. The entire shop is decked out with carefully curated vintage decor, all perfectly on theme for a surfer’s coastal Maine dreams.
Using beans from Portland roaster Coffee By Design, Swell’s drinks pair perfectly with unique and tasty bites like a breakfast empanada.
In addition to being a coffee and vintage shop, Swell is also a social house that hosts events throughout the year.
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The shop’s outside seating boasts a fire pit and that backyard summer party feel that we all crave when the weather is right. It’s another fantastic stop for a road trip up the Maine coast.
Lily Fortin didn’t allow a hit until the seventh inning and No. 2 North Yarmouth Academy beat No. 1 Buckfield 5-0 in the Class D South softball final Tuesday at St. Joseph’s College in Standish.
The Panthers (17-1) will face North champion Penobscot Valley (17-0) in the state championship game on Saturday, also at St. Joseph’s. NYA won back-to-back Class D state titles in 2023-24, before losing to Buckfield, 2-1, in the regional final last season.
Buckfield ends the season 16-3.
Grace Veinott singled to lead off the seventh inning, breaking up Fortin’s no-hit bit. The NYA sophomore recorded a strikeout and two groundouts to finish off the one-hitter. She recorded eight strikeouts and five walks.
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Jordan Nash hit a two-run single in the first inning to give NYA the lead. Aurora Blier made it 3-0 in the third with an RBI groundout. Cami Casserly had an RBI single and Reese Walker walked with the bases loaded in the fifth to make it 5-0.
