In December of 2013 on a trip to visit family for Christmas, we were sent to the local fish market to buy oysters. After (way too many) years working in restaurants, we had been looking for a new business venture, and that afternoon at the market we said to ourselves “there’s nowhere in Bar Harbor where you can get oysters (or any other seafood) for the holidays…”

The opportunity to purchase 244 Main Street presented itself in March of 2014. Following the purchase of the building, along with Cider Smidges (our 7 year old pit bull rescue), we moved into the upstairs apartment (which needed LOTS of love and improvement) and proceeded to gut and remodel what was once Island Card and Novelty into Peekytoe Provisions. On September 17, 2014, we opened our door with the intent to just be a fish market. With one employee, we served a tiny menu that reflected what we had to offer in the fish case. We had one six burner gas stove, about 10 bar stools at a live edge pine counter along the window, and one four seat oak table that was once Drew’s family’s dining table. We had a little deck out the front door where we put 3 metal tables with umbrellas.

It didn’t take long to realize that people loved our menu, and the fresh seafood we offered. For two years, we watched people use our front lawn for a dog park and public picnic area (and did not pick up after themselves or their dogs.) We came to the conclusion that we needed to utilize the yard/lawn for more seating. “Project courtyard” happened in May and June of 2016. We ripped out the yard, put in fencing and planters along the sidewalk, and added 4 picnic tables, which tripled our seating capacity. We did not, however, triple our kitchen capacity, so the next 7 years were a struggle keeping up with the new seating (while still only functioning with one 6-burner stove and a panini press.)

And along came COVID. The summer of 2020 was uncomfortably busy in Bar Harbor. Everyone came to our small island to escape their big cities, and everyone wanted take-out. We were already streamlined to accommodate for take out as well as touch free curbside payment and pick up, so we were able to survive the pandemic with minimal losses. It was further proof that we desperately needed more kitchen space.

In 2021 we reached out to Design Group Collaborative, the architecture firm that was willing to see our vision and make our new project a reality. We spoke with builders and contractors, hoping to break ground in September of 2022 for 2023 completion. When we were less than 2 months away from beginning the project, the builder backed out. Deflated but not too discouraged, we began the process of bidding on the project for the following year. Bowman Constructors out of Newport, ME won the bid, and we made new plans to break ground in September 2023, hoping for completion by early June 2024. Demolition began in mid September, and immediately after we hit ledge. Lots and lots of ledge. 12 weeks late, we were finally able to pour the slab for the foundation.

As is normal with construction these days, our opening date continues to be pushed back. Serendipity intervened, and the opportunity to open at 18 Village Green Way in Southwest Harbor came about in June. We were blessed with a beautiful restaurant space that we were able to pivot into and offer fresh fish as well, we have been open in Southwest Harbor for most of the summer of 2024.

As of this writing, we are now hoping to complete construction by late September 2024, train on the new equipment and move furniture in, and have our grand reopening before Indigenous People's Day!

We hope you can join us in the celebration of our own Phoenix rising from the ashes of demolition! Our brand new building will have 3 apartments on the second floor, state-of-the-art induction kitchen, 60+ seat restaurant with a full bar, covered outdoor patio, and separate retail space with fish display, lobster tank, and retail area.