Running any kind of store on an island is a big challenge, what with ordering from the mainland, paying the freight for the boat, and making sure the produce is fresh.
For Tara Hire of Monhegan, there is the added hurdle of obtaining and marketing organic foods, preferably as locally grown as possible. In this way she hopes to encourage islanders to live sustainably. Eight months ago, she took over a store called Carina, and she is making it work. To do that, she puts in long hours every day, and is open for business seven days per week, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. summertime, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in the off season.
“I’m trying to buy most of my produce from local farmers in Maine,” she said. So far, the Monhegan tourist season has been slow, making it hard for any island business to turn a profit.
The sunlit Carina store behind the Island Inn, with its wooden floors, shelves and open wooden display cases, is chock full of fresh fruit and vegetables, canned goods, dry goods and other items including beer and wine. Hire somehow manages to serve breakfast, lunch and take-out.
On top of that, you can order ahead and your groceries will be delivered to your cottage – the way neighborhood food stores operated 50 years ago. Hire said she dreams of selling produce grown right on Monhegan, but space is at a premium. She envisions a community garden – if someone can come up with a plot of land to till.
An Ohio native, Hire moved to Monhegan eight years ago, after earning a degree in nutrition from the University of Maine, and another degree in culinary arts from Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute. Two years ago, she opened Scruffy Dog, a seasonal eatery at the corner of Fish and Maine streets.
She said she is doing what she likes, despite the time and energy it takes, and she hopes to educate more islanders on the importance of reducing energy use and the amount of waste, while living on a healthy diet. Carina is one of several food outlets on the island.
The venerable Monhegan Store in the center of the village, operated by Katy and Dave Boegel, sells groceries, beer, wine and deli items.
The Black Duck Emporium, beside the post office, sells gifts, island-baked pies and pastry, chocolate, latte, tea and cold drinks. The Duck is operated by Barbara Hitchcock and Pamela Rollinger.
The Fish House, on Fish Beach, serves lobsters, lobster and crabmeat rolls, smoked fish and chowder. Its proprietors are Sherman Stanley and Lisa Brackett.
The Novelty, at the foot of Horn’s Hill, offers takeout wraps, pizza, beer, wine, ice cream and baked goods. Novel-Too offers eat-in and takeout foods. Both of these businesses are connected to the Monhegan House, a hotel.
The Barnacle Café, on the wharf, sells sandwiches, soups and pastries for eating on site or away. It’s an offshoot of the Island Inn.