The espresso machine is ready to go Wednesday at Little River Coffee, 11 Union St. in Lisbon Falls. Christopher Wheelock/Sun Journal

LISBON FALLS — Little River Coffee opens its doors Friday, 15 years after the idea was hatched by Kate Madore and her friend and business partner, Maggie Barnard.

“We are very excited to bring our community a really good cup of coffee and a beautiful place to sit and enjoy,” Madore told The Buzz.

Expect a nice, cozy place where people can enjoy a good cup of fresh brewed coffee, roasted right here in Maine by Black Ink Coffee in Bangor, a veteran owned and operated company. Madore said they’ll have breakfast and lunch options, including baked goods like a house special coffee cake made from a 1940s recipe from Aroostook County and handed down through Madore’s family. Bagels, breakfast sandwiches, soups, salads and sandwiches are also on the lunch menu.

Little River Coffee, the only local coffee house, will offer dark roast, medium roast, cold brew, iced coffee, espresso, cappuccino, lattes, iced lattes and more, with two main seating areas — one by a big plate glass window — in a renovated turn-of-the-century house, still sporting it’s original tin tile ceilings. Madore says the seating areas are the perfect place to bring a friend or bring a computer and enjoy the free wi-fi.

Just in time for opening, Lisbon Falls is hosting the Maine Blues Festival, returning Saturday after a two-year hiatus.

So why, you ask, is it a longtime coming? Kate and Maggie have each raised five kids, their youngest have now reached 16, and it’s something they used to do to catch up — enjoy a good cup of coffee and take a break.

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Location: 11 Union St., Lisbon Falls

Hours: 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; closed Mondays

Somali farm stand open

The new farm stand at Liberation Farms in Wales is open noon-6 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. Christopher Wheelock/Sun Journal

The Somali Bantu Association’s Liberation Farms in Wales has opened its new farm stand, called “Suuq” in Somali, which means market. Inside you can find:

• Fresh, chemical-free produce from Liberation Farms

• Liberation Farms cornmeal, milled by Maine Grains

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• Handwoven baskets by Somali Bantu weavers

• Organic local milk and yogurt from The Milkhouse in Monmouth

• Organic local goat milk and cheese from Cosmic Goat Farm & Creamery in Litchfield

• Local pasture-raised eggs from Sparkplug Farm in Leeds

• Liberation Farms merchandise including ball caps, beanies, tote bags and stickers

The new stand is located at 1002 Gardiner Road and is open for business from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays.

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Obscura Cafe & Drinkery Update!

Nathan Hines, left, and Chef Jules Muzyka  inside Obscura Cafe & Drinkery. Submitted photo

The inspections are completed, the menu is set and June 21 is the official opening date for downtown Lewiston’s newest restaurant and drinkery.

On the menu: not your usual wings and deep fried things. Instead, choose hummus, charcuterie or the house-made popcorn to get started. Fresh salads include a pear and walnut salad and a farmer’s market selection. There’s a nifty choice of sandwiches, served hot or cold, and a series of flatbreads like “The Frenchy” — layers of house balsamic, caramelized onion jam, poppy seeds and mozzarella.

Specialty waffles are on the menu, and the names tell all: The Funky Chicken, Dark Chocolate Orange and a Blueberry Lemon Poppy. There are options for the youngsters as well.

The crew at Obscura want you to know that more than half of their menu is available with vegan and gluten-free substitutions, namely plant-based dairy substitutes, vegan aioli and dressings, and gluten-free panini bread.

There is a neat story behind the inspiration and theme for the new restaurant, but you’ll have to visit to find out what it is.

Plans are in the works for a speakeasy and performance stage, but they will open with an offering of craft beers, wine, cocktails and ciders.

New medical cannabis cultivation facility in Lewiston

The site of a future cannabis cultivation facility at 7 Lexington Road, Lewiston. Christopher Wheelock/Sun Journal

Construction is under way for a new 6,600 square foot cannabis cultivation facility at 7 Lexington St.

The cost of work at the new grow building is estimated at $1,300,000, according to documents filed with the city. The single-story building is new construction with a total area of 7,763 square feet. No time of completion for the project was available.

The Buzz offers quick hits about trending area business happenings. Have a Buzzable tip? Contact business writer Christopher Wheelock at 689-2817 or cwheelock@sunjournal.com


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