FILE PHOTO / COURTESY H.B. PROVISIONS
H.B. Provisions is seen here several years ago.
Updated: May 28, 2025
Kittery hospitality group buys Kennebunk general store popular with Bush family
Photo / Courtesy First Serve Hospitality Group Inc.
First Serve Hospitality Group Inc. opened KPort Provisions in the former H.B. Provisions.
First Serve Hospitality Group Inc. in Kittery bought a Kennebunk general store called H.B. Provisions, carried out renovations and repositioned it as KPort Provisions.
“It’s kind of an icon in that area,” Mary Puglese, First Serve’s director of operations, told Mainebiz.
H.B. Provisions, owned by Bonnie Clement and Helen Thorgalsen and located at 15 Western Ave. in Kennebunk’s Lower Village, was a hub of the Kennebunk community for many years.
The late President George H.W. Bush and his wife Barbara, who had a home on nearby Walker’s Point, used to pop in for a cup of coffee. President George W. Bush and his wife Laura also came in. Actor and Maine native Patrick Dempsey was a regular.
Portfolio fit
The building dates back to 1865 and has always served as a store. Thorgalsen and Clement bought the property in 2002 and renovated the store downstairs and an apartment upstairs. Twenty years later, they were ready to retire and hired John Anderson of Investcomm Commercial Group to list the property and business for $3.8 million.
Photo / Courtesy First Serve Hospitality Group Inc.
Renovations included a deli and glass display counter house-baked goods from an in-house bakery team.
Once First Serve learned that Thorgalsen and Clement were looking to retire, it sparked their interest, said Puglese.
The property fits with First Serve’s portfolio, which includes Harbor Burger Shack and Bob's Clam Hut, both in Kittery, and Robert's Maine Grill and Mabel's Lobster Claw and Mabel's House, both in Kennebunkport.
In January, First Serve acquired the Breakwater Inn in Kennebunkport, said Puglese.
Interior renovation
First Serve acquired the Kennebunk store a year ago and has been renovating it since then.
The structure of the historic building was left intact and a full renovation inside included the installation of wood flooring, white walls, blonde wood-paneled ceilings and retro neon signs. The HVAC and refrigeration systems were updated. The 2,000-square-foot storefront features a green-and-yellow palette. Vintage shelving obtained from antique shops was restored and installed. KPort is positioned as “a modern gourmet provisions store” on the border of Kennebunk and Kennebunkport.”
A wall of refrigerators shows craft beers, soft drinks, wines and spirits. There’s a deli behind a dark wood and glass display counter house-baked goods from an in-house bakery team and grab-and-go meals. A New York City-style pizza bar has an electric oven from Italy.
A coffee bar has a premium Italian espresso machine operated by baristas. There’s seating and street-facing windows. Off-premise catering will be offered starting in July.
Photo / Courtesy First Serve Hospitality Group Inc.
A coffee bar has an Italian espresso machine operated by baristas.
First Serve’s next task is to figure out whether the upstairs apartment will be rented out, said Puglese.
“They did a beautiful job renovating that space,” she said of the sellers.
KPort opened early May and First Serve will start to do more heavy promotion on it, she said. The store has enough of a customer base to operate year-round.
“In the winter, when we were renovating, it was a daily occurrence with people looking for something to eat,” she said.
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