Public hearing and vote dates set on Penobscot liquor license

Public hearing to discuss possible liquor license and pub is Nov. 10, followed by vote on Nov. 20

Oct. 27, 2026

By John Boit

Northern Bay Market in Penobscot. Photo by John Boit.

PENOBSCOT—A public hearing and a town vote have been set to decide whether Penobscot will allow a liquor license for what would be the town’s first pub.

Penobscot will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 10 to allow voters to learn more about the proposal to give the state permission to grant liquor licenses in the town.

The issue was pushed forward by Jamie MacNair, owner of Northern Bay Market, the town’s general store. MacNair has said she wants to open a seasonal pub in what would be a new building next to the store.

Ten days after the hearing, on Friday, Nov. 20, town residents will then reconvene to vote on the issue by secret ballot. The vote will consist of two questions: the first will ask townspeople if they will allow liquor sales Monday through Saturday, and a separate question will ask whether they will allow sales on Sunday.

Both the public hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 10 and the vote on Friday, Nov. 20 will be held at the Penobscot Fire Station at 46 North Penobscot Road. Both meetings start at 6 p.m.

The hearing and vote were postponed earlier this month because the notice of that meeting contained inadequate wording according to state law, and because the town had initially planned to vote on the issue the same day as the hearing. By law, the town must hold a hearing and then wait 10 days to hold a vote on the issue.