2023 Forecast: Castine’s new blood ready to take on tourism season
Photo / DAVID CLOUGH
Matthew Powell and George Trinovitch say despite lingering uneasiness about a possible recession, Castine is well positioned.
Matt Powell and George Trinovitch, owners of the Pentagoet Inn, have been busy since Mainebiz previously spoke with them. As more people escape the hubbub of city life, small-town businesses are reaping the benefits.
“On the whole, the Blue Hill Peninsula feels like it’s been on an upward trend, with more people looking to escape to the natural beauty of the area, away from the hubbub of city life,” said Powell. “Acadia [National Park] has seen record numbers of visitors, and the surrounding towns, we believe, are directly benefiting from this growing national awareness of our area. The peninsula was recently listed in Fortune as a top destination for 2023. People are looking for unique, off-the-beaten-path escapes, and that’s exactly what we are.”
The 128-year-old Pentagoet Inn & Wine Bar on Main Street is the coastal town’s oldest summer inn. The midcoast Maine bed and breakfast was built in 1894. It has a prominent three-story turret, gables, an adjoining 18th-century house, and a charming wraparound porch. In the summer, Powell and Trinovitch bought the Pentagoet Inn & Wine Bar at 26 Main St. from Julie Van de Graaf and Jack Burke, who owned the business for 22 years.
The inn is undergoing the first round of renovation and redesign plans. Within the first day of the off-season, the couple already had electricians at the inn to replace light fixtures in the dining room. The inn is also undergoing extensive repairs and the Perkins House annex restoration.
“Although it’s an unexpected project, we are happy to be proactive in maintaining this historic building,” said Powell. Aesthetic plans for the first floor will be revealed right before the 2023 season.
Powell and Trinovitch said the Pentagoet is not in hiring mode yet, though it will be looking toward the 2023 season. The inn’s full roster of summer 2022 employees will be returning, and the inn has added two additional roles in the kitchen.
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We recently had the pleasure of meeting Matt and George who were very friendly and hospitable. We are looking forward to seeing the Inn and other businesses flourish in our quaint Castine community. We have a beach, hiking trails, historical land marks, a museum, kayaking, boating and fresh air:) I know that anyone who visits will have an enjoyable time with beautiful scenery, good food, lovely people and an overall relaxing experience.
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