ROCKLAND, Maine — Jennifer Rockwell could hardly contain her enthusiasm Wednesday morning when describing the offerings at downtown Rockland’s new full-scale food market.
Main Street Markets opened Wednesday with 3,000 square feet of space on the street level of the restored 435 Main St. building. The market has a wide array of organic, local and natural foods, skincare products and other provisions. The store also has a small coffee shop, The Garden Cafe, within its walls that serves a variety of create-your-own salads, wraps, smoothies among other “healthy fast foods.”
“I’m so excited,” Rockwell said. “The whole vision is finally coming together.”
Rockwell is from New Jersey but has spent summers in the Rockland area since she was a child. Her great-grandparents were Sam and Pauline Szwecker. Sam Zwecker had been president of Port Clyde Foods, which operated sardine plants in the midcoast area through the 1980s.
Jennifer ran a cooking school in New York City, but when the opportunity arose to move to Rockland and operate a market in the downtown, she jumped on it.
Her father, Richard Rockwell, purchased 435 Main St. in November 2013 and has spent the past year renovating the four-story brick building built in 1825. He also owns the nearby Hewett Block at 449 Main St. and has an option on the adjacent 429 Main St.
“In giving thought to the highest, best use of the building, it was clear from the start that Rockland’s emerging food scene as well as the permanent community needed a one-stop source for high-quality, organic, locally produced food,” Richard Rockwell said in a written statement.
Jennifer and her father are co-owners of Main Street Markets.
“We are looking forward to introducing Main Street Markets’ concept of quality, great tasting, local and natural foods, excellent customer service and a distinctive atmosphere to the midcoast community,” Jennifer Rockwell said.
The store will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. The Garden Cafe will serve breakfast and lunch.
Main Street Markets has a selection of local beer and ciders, as well as a diverse selection of wines.
She said Main Street Markets has created a unique shopping environment that appeals to all the senses, with the smell of freshly brewed coffees, soft music and lighting and beautiful displays of products, she said. Patrons are greeted to a full produce section when they enter the market.
Main Street Markets employs 24 people. Carisa Carney is the general manager.