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Following months of renovation, a brewery that first opened in downtown Searsport one year ago has now debuted a new taproom in the historic brick building where it’s located.
The expansion has created more of a warm, bar-like atmosphere for the patrons at Maineport Brewing Co. at 34 E. Main St. While the establishment previously was able to serve its beer in a small space with seating for about 20 people, the taproom has now roughly doubled that number with a new bar counter and additional high- and low-top tables.
More than 200 people ventured to downtown Searsport throughout Friday afternoon and evening for a soft opening of the new space.
Owned by Rob and Paula Martell, the venue has contributed to a resurgence of the community’s downtown corridor in recent years, with numerous empty storefronts being taken over by new operations and a lengthy renovation of two miles of road and sidewalks along Route 1 wrapping up last year.
Searsport resident Jane Haslam, who has become a regular since the brewery opened last year, has appreciated having a no-frills hangout where she and her friends can unwind.
“It was near my house,” Haslam said. “But we stayed for the company and the beer. There’s no TV, there’s no music, everybody just talks to one another. And the beer’s great!”
The expansion of Maineport comes as the business has seen growing popularity since its opening, with patrons sometimes forced to stand in the original serving space, according to Rob Martell. He thinks it’s become a good spot for locals to grab a drink after work or catch up with others in the community.
He and his wife were deliberate about not offering lots of distractions for their patrons, declining to add music or TV despite many people expressing a desire for it.
“We just never did that because we wanted to build community,” Martell said. “I firmly believe that people have to learn how to talk to each other again, whether they agree or disagree. And it’s OK to disagree. I love someone that doesn’t have the same point of view as I do, because then I have a chance to learn something.”
To the Martells, one of the most rewarding outcomes of the brewery’s success has been watching the space foster connection between its patrons.
The business is now aiming to expand its hours. It currently opens from the afternoon to evening on Fridays through Sundays, but will likely start opening for the week on Wednesdays.
The Martells will also be adding an outdoor beer garden in the property’s backyard, providing easier access to a rotation of food trucks that serve hearty meat-focused meals at the site.
While the Martells now run the brewery themselves, they also may have to take on other staff, given how their business has grown. When not behind the bar, Paula Martell separately works as a data analyst and handles all financial operations.
The couple is also working to update their licensing to serve wine as well as beer and offer some prepared foods, such as handpies, potato chips and prepackaged meats.
Rob Martell, who previously brewed beer on his own for two decades, anticipates that he will have to add more fermentation vessels and brewing and conditioning tanks in order to keep up with the demand. Their beer is served by the pint and includes an IPA, blonde and brown ales and different lagers.
Prior to opening the brewery, Martell ran an electrical contracting company out of Los Angeles. It was in 2020 that he decided to turn his hobby and passion into his life’s work.
“We might have built the business, but our locals and our patrons are what make us what we are,” he said. “Without the people coming in, we just wouldn’t be here. We’re just getting started. There’s a lot more stuff we want to do.”