40 Under 40: Matthew Powell is positioning the Pentagöet at the ‘very heart of Castine’
PHOTO / SOUBAHN PHANTHAY
Matthew Powell (pictured) and George Trinovitch are co-owners and managing innkeepers at the Pentagöet Inn & Pub.
Co-owner and managing innkeeper, Pentagöet Inn & Pub Find profiles of all the 40 Under 40 honorees here.
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Most significant professional accomplishment: Beyond acquiring the Pentagöet itself, I believe our most significant professional accomplishment thus far has been reopening the restaurant and pub after its closure during the pandemic as well as our rebranding and extensive marketing work to showcase the inn to a wider audience. Already we’re seeing new faces in the inn who have never ever heard of Castine. In addition to jumpstarting the business post-pandemic, being the first Maine restaurant to be awarded the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “Backing Historic Small Restaurants” grant was a great honor, and in our first year of operation!
Passion project: During the peak season, co-owner George [Trinovitch] and I have very little by means of passion projects — the inn is our passion! But in the off-season, we have worked to position the Pentagöet as the very heart of Castine. Hosting community parties, having Santa Claus come to town, and creating events for the kids in town — it’s all about making the space accessible to our town and to people from away. Since I have a penchant for marketing, it’s also been enjoyable to not only market the inn but to lead the marketing for the town of Castine itself.
Audacious goal: Our big 10-year goal is to completely stabilize, insulate and renovate the attic (currently storage) into an old-school, structurally sound recreation and game room. Picture the “Knives Out” top room, but even chic-er and more Victoriana. Absolutely fabulous. We love creating spaces that feel unique and discoverable — immersive experiences. It is all part of our goal to create moments of magic for our guests.
Favorite quote: “A sheet spread beneath an apple tree can receive only apples; a sheet spread beneath the stars can receive only star-dust.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupery, “Wind, Sand & Stars”
Influential book: “A Gentleman in Moscow,” by Amor Towles
Favorite movies or TV shows: “The Crown”
How do you recharge: Ever the extreme extrovert, I charge my battery by making people feel at home. It’s no wonder I was drawn to innkeeping. It goes without saying my favorite guys to make happy are George and Mister, our pup. They’re the reason I put my all into building an extraordinary life in Castine.
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