Hallowell, Rejoice: The Maine House Should Reopen Soon Under New Ownership

Less than a month after announcing the sad news that they'd be selling their popular craft cocktail bar, mother-daughter duo Coby and Deanna Thibeau shared happier tidings. In a Facebook post, The Maine House said it will live on under the guidance of "Hallowell staple" Geoffrey Houghton, who owns nearby brew pub The Liberal Cup and its sister The Run of the Mill in Saco, and "superstar" Leah Sampson, longtime bartender at neighboring Slates.

The sale was prompted when Deanna decided to move to Florida with her boyfriend. Coby told the Kennebec Journal, "What we were looking for in particular was somebody that was going to keep it the Maine House and keep the flavor of it as it is now." Despite having been open less than two years, The Maine House made its mark as a high quality beer and booze destination in an area not known for an innovative cocktail culture.

Though they had initially considered staying open through New Year's Eve, the Thibeaus sold the last of their food and alcohol last week and officially shut down at the end of service Friday, December 11. Sampson and Houghton said they'd "like to reopen the new Maine House as soon as possible," but don't have an official date set.