This summer, a taste of Paris will be on the menu in Falmouth, as the local cafe Mornings in Paris is opening its fourth location in the town center.

Mornings in Paris operates two European-style cafes in Kennebunk and Ogunquit, also offering items at the Goose Rocks Beach General Store in Kennebunkport. Maintaining a local model while taking inspiration from France, all the businesses’ pastries are baked in Ogunquit, with the coffee roasted in Kennebunk.

The original Mornings in Paris was located on Exchange Street in Portland but closed in 2013. In 2017, now-owners Paul and Katelyn Humphrey bought the remaining Kennebunk location after moving to Maine from England and transitioning from the corporate world to entrepreneurs. Paul is originally from London, and Katelyn grew up in Kennebunkport.

“I came over in the summer, and I saw Kennebunk’s fall in its glory, the sun out, tourists. And I thought, this could be fun,” said Paul Humphrey.

After operating the Kennebunk location for several years, the couple began slowly expanding across the region. Falmouth came to mind as its next location, as the Humphreys’ children got to know the community through sports. They also thought that some Falmouth residents would remember the original location in Portland.

The growth of Falmouth’s town center as a gathering place was a draw for the Humphreys as well. With the new The Wyeth luxury condo buildings and other new restaurants such as Sapporo and Cafe Luna across the street, the Humphreys anticipate the growth of the area.

“I could see there’s a real kind of list of independent businesses here, and it’s a community. I like towns where there’s a community, and with the town trying to make this more of a town center, it really kind of speaks to our type of business where people come and sit and stay,” said Paul Humphrey.

The Humphreys plan to open the cafe in Falmouth Village this July, if all goes according to plan. Menu offerings will include French crepes made to order, macarons, petit fours and the notably un-French but popular bubble tea.

The cafe will have 50 indoor seats as well as some outdoor tables. Unlike the highly trafficked Starbucks next door, Paul said he wants Falmouth’s Mornings in Paris to serve as a community hub for customers.

“I think having things like actual proper porcelain cups will encourage people to come down, sit here, spend a bit of time, just enjoy being with humanity,” said Paul Humphrey.

The Humphreys also want to focus on hiring Falmouth-area residents and students to keep the business close to home. They plan to get involved with the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce and sponsor local sports teams and events, as they have in other towns where their business operates. Overall, they pride themselves on having a community focus, as demonstrated by the popularity and social integration of their other locations.

“I think it becomes people’s mainstay,” Paul Humphrey said, “and that’s why we have lots of people who come and meet their friends, the same friends every morning for their cup of coffee.”