New Buck’s Harbor shop to serve coffee, ice cream

Opening later this month, parlor will serve John’s Ice Cream Factory and 44 North

June 9, 2026

By John Epstein

Life in Brooksville is about to get a little bit sweeter: A new coffee shop and ice cream parlor is coming to the section of town known locally as Buck’s Harbor. The shop, which sits next to Buck’s Market, is expected to open later this month and will serve sweet treats, ice cream from John’s Ice Cream Factory and coffee from 44 North.

John’s ice cream, which is made in Liberty, was named a “Best Ice Cream in Maine” finalist by Downeast Magazine in 2025.

“This is part of an effort to bring Brooksville back to where it was when Buck’s Harbor was the town center,” said Liza Shaw, a restaurant consultant who is helping set up the shop.

An outdoor patio is being built behind the parlor, which sits in a historic building at the center of Buck’s Harbor. Photos by John Epstein.

Long considered the heart of the Buck’s Harbor community, the village has endured a series of setbacks over the last decade that drained much of its social and commercial activity. First, the post office–a longtime gathering place for local residents–moved its operation to West Brooksville. Then, Buck’s Harbor Market and Buck’s Restaurant closed during Covid. They later reopened, but only with limited hours. Finally, in 2023, the town’s privately-owned marina closed amidst a management dispute between the town and its owner.

In June 2024, Andrew MacArthur, an investor who splits his time between Brooksville and New York city, bought the marina and helped finance the building that houses the market and restaurant. He also purchased the iconic Condon’s Garage building to use as a site for boat repairs and construction. 

Thanks to the boost from MacArthur, activity in the village is returning. The marina is open for the season, Buck’s Harbor Market is open throughout the week and Buck’s restaurant is now owned and operated by chefs Max Janes and Jimmy Ramirez. The seasonal restaurant is known for its farm-to-table cuisine and local seafood dishes.

Shaw, a former San Francisco chef, advises Janes and Ramirez and is also supervising the launch of the new coffee shop and ice cream parlor. The shop’s build-out–and the construction of a courtyard behind the building– is being funded by MacArthur.

Shaw said stairs will be built leading from the back of the shop to the courtyard and tables and chairs will be set up so people can have their coffee and ice cream outside in nice weather.

“We decided to name the new shop “The Old Post Office,” Shaw said.  “It’s kind of a cool way to remember the past,” she added, noting that before the building was a post office it was a general store owned by the late Russ Condon and was featured in Robert McCloskey’s children's book, One Morning in Maine.

“We’re bringing new life into spaces that were once vibrant,” Shaw said.