The little city of Eastport must have a grocery store | Column
Eastport’s Grocery Store Shuts Its Doors, Prompting Questions About the Future of a Small‑Town Economy
Eastport, Maine – The town’s only grocery store, an IGA on Main Street, closed its doors on September 3, 2026, after its longtime owner retired without a successor. The closure leaves Eastport’s 1,300 residents without a local supermarket for the first time in decades and raises concerns about how the town can support the growing tourism industry that relies on a steady supply of food and household essentials.
A Legacy of Small‑Town Commerce
Eastport, the easternmost municipality in Maine, has seen a slow but steady revival of its historic downtown. Brick storefronts line a half‑mile harborside strip that now hosts a range of shops and restaurants, including the recently renovated former Masonic Hall, a new cocktail bar, a gift shop, and the Eastport Breakwater Gallery. The town’s Chamber of Commerce president, Michael Morse, said, “This historic downtown to us just seemed like it had potential, and it turned out to be true.” He added that Eastport’s character is an asset, “The comment that we get is that this is a real small town. We’re not pretending to be something else.”
Eastport’s past is rooted in maritime trade. In the 1800s it was the country’s second‑largest trading port after New York City, a status it earned thanks to deep waters and strong tides that kept its harbor ice‑free. At the turn of the twentieth century, the sardine industry dominated the local economy, with 18 canneries and more than 5,000 residents. Today the town welcomes 40 cruise ships a year, and downtown events—such as the Pirate Festival and a witch‑themed celebration—attract visitors seeking a more authentic Maine experience.
The Grocery Gap
The IGA’s closure creates an immediate problem for residents and travelers alike. The nearest full‑service grocery store is now 30 miles away in Calais. “The most pressing concern, of course, is for locals who rely on the market and not people in vacation rentals trying to build a charcuterie board,” a Chamber spokesperson said. “But having a grocery store will also be crucial to supporting the growth of the tourism industry.”
The former owner, who had spent her career “working every single day just to turn a small profit,” retired without an identified buyer. The town has received expressions of interest from potential purchasers—including Edwards Brothers Supermarkets and the Passamaquoddy Tribe—yet the tribe recently voted not to buy the store. The decision, according to the tribe, came after an assessment that the business had “a very thin margin” and would require significant investment to become sustainable.
“We’re not sure who’s going to take this risk,” Morse said. “Right now, Eastport is suffering from a drop in Canadian visitors and economic uncertainty everywhere. In light of that, the prospect of taking over the IGA is probably more daunting.” A survey conducted by a public‑relations firm found that Eastport ranks second among the country’s most underrated travel destinations. Still, the town’s tourism numbers have been affected by a decline in Canadian visitors and a broader economic downturn.
What’s Next for Eastport?
The closure presents a classic chicken‑or‑egg dilemma: travelers need amenities to justify visiting, but businesses need a critical mass of visitors to thrive. The Chamber is exploring ways to attract new retailers and to support entrepreneurs who might fill the grocery void. Meanwhile, local farmers and artisans are looking for alternative ways to supply the market—through farmers’ markets or delivery services.
Eastport’s historic charm and growing hospitality scene could still make it a popular stop for visitors looking to avoid the crowds of more well‑known Maine destinations. “If the city is going in the direction it appears to be, whoever takes the risk of buying the grocery store now should also reap the rewards,” the Chamber’s president noted.
For now, the town’s residents will have to rely on a nearby farmers’ union in Perry for staples, while tourists will need to plan ahead for grocery needs or risk missing out on the unique culinary offerings that Eastport’s waterfront restaurants have to offer. As the town wrestles with this sudden supply gap, its leaders and community members remain focused on preserving the small‑town character that makes Eastport a distinctive corner of Maine.
