Today, I want to highlight some of the businesses and organizations who have newly opened or expanded thus far in 2025.

For a new business, breaking through can be tough (even tougher if the Majority Report of LD 1822 passes the State Legislature instead of the Minority report that came out of committee, which is another column for another day).

Most businesses rely on return business and word of mouth, but in order to do that, they need to be discovered and talked about. Well, at the chamber, that is one of the things we do — discover new places and talk about them.

Pomelia, Brunswick

A favorite new spot for me for lunch or dinner is Pomelia in the former Scarlet Begonia’s space on Station Avenue in Brunswick. Tony and Chelsea have taken their years of experience in hospitality and poured it into this delight of Sicilian-inspired cuisine. The pizzas have a little spice to them, and the bread and pasta dishes are mouth-watering. Check them out at pomelia.restaurant.

The Hinckley Company, Topsham

Hinckley Yachts is known worldwide for their iconic designs and legendary service, as they have been building boats for over 100 years. Based out of Trenton, we are thrilled to be a part of the next chapter of the Hinckley story, as they have just opened a carpentry shop in our region.

Hinckley Topsham is a new state-of-the-art carpentry facility at 62 Park Drive. If you want to come see the space, meet the Hinckley team, or even find out about open positions they may have on their growing team, please come out to the grand opening event, Tuesday, June 24, from 3 to 6 p.m.

Everyone is invited to come see the space and hear their story.

Bay Bowls, Bath

Bay Bowls has opened its third location, this time in Bath, as they spread their acai and pitaya (dragon fruit) bowls and smoothies to another community in our region. The first Bay Bowls started in Portland, but 18 months or so ago, it opened a second location on Maine Street in Brunswick (on the corner of Station Avenue).

The third location in Bath is at 45 Vine St., just off Route 1. One interesting piece of their story is that the acai and pitaya that they use comes directly to them exclusively from a small family-owned farm in Brazil. Check out their fruity offerings at baybowlsme.com. Thanks to our friends at Main Street Bath for pointing out this great new expansion.

Jason’s New York Style Pizza, Topsham

In 1997, on Hammond Street in Bangor, a staple of the community was born as the Fell family opened their first location of Jason’s New York Style Pizza. A few years later, they expanded to a second location in Brewer, and have been a crowd favorite for years in that part of the state.

Now, we get to experience their joy of pizza as their third location has opened recently in the Topsham Fair Mall. Thanks for choosing our region for your latest adventure!

Elevenses, Brunswick

The highly anticipated Hobbit-inspired eatery has opened on Maine Street in Brunswick in the former Kings & Queens barber shop space.

Transforming a barber shop into an eatery is no small feat (there is a Hobbit “small feet” joke in their somewhere, but I just can’t find it). Elevenses is a reference to the standard post-second breakfast, pre-lunch meal that “Lord of the Rings” fans know is a staple of a good Hobbit diet. I haven’t been in yet, but the social media buzz and pictures make it look simply enchanting.

Solo Pane and OystHERS continue to grow

Two different expansions here. First off, Solo Pane is physically growing as they have been working this spring to expand their space so more people can enjoy their Italian-inspired pastries and delicacies. Also, their summer street-side dining is up and running, and is a favorite for anyone who want to take in Centre Street and relax in the sun with friends on a perfect Bath day.

Additionally, the chamber’s reigning Excellence in Entrepreneurship winner is expanding in a different way, as you can now enjoy OystHERS Raw Bar + Bubbly every day of the week! This expansion of hours allows them to capitalize on the summer season as they have become a destination on the water’s edge in downtown Bath. You can enjoy their live entertainment, award-winning service, and out-of-this-world oysters Monday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thanks again, Main Street Bath, for pointing to these successes for me to highlight.

Rapid fire: Other expansions, new locations and successes to celebrate

The Great Impasta: In case you missed it, The Great Impasta is back at its new location, about three blocks from the old location in Brunswick. You can now find them cooking up their Italian delights on Pleasant Street, in the old MAIZ Columbian Street food/Odd Duck Restaurant space (11 Pleasant St.).

Sweetser expands: Sweetser, a key organization for the mental health and behavioral health of our community, has expanded their space to help serve the region even better with more access and providers for clients. Located on Bath Road in Brunswick, they held a ribbon cutting this April, which also celebrated the opening of their new, on-site pharmacy.

Xfinity store remodeled: You won’t believe how nice the new Xfinity store at 336 Bath Road in Brunswick is, as the Comcast crew unveiled it in April. Interactive and sleek, it puts the focus on you. I encourage you to check it out.

Lois Skillings, RN Health Care Center: Friend of the chamber, and overall champion of the region, former Mid Coast-Parkview Health CEO Lois Skillings was honored weeks ago as her name is on the new wing at the MaineHealth Parkview campus, which got their behavioral health and mental health support under one roof. This new space will allow for greater access, better continuity of care, and shows MaineHealth’s continued commitment to our region.

Cory King is executive director of the Bath-Brunswick Regional Chamber of Commerce.