Don't bother. That sums it up!
I learned about this country store by watching a Sunday morning show (it's now on youtube) highlighting the store and the (Barter's Island) bridge close by. Since we were planning a trip to Maine in our future, we moved it up due to the bridge being upgraded by 2020 and the store looked pretty cool. Although separate, they seemed to go hand-in-hand...eat at the store and watch the bridge...it looked like a fun stop.
This is not a welcoming place at all. We planned to have lunch. There was one customer leaving when we entered and then it was just us. In short, there were two employees working the day we went, neither could be bothered with us. Both saw us, didn't welcome us and then we got that vibe (thick vibe) we weren't welcome. But that's ok, we'll order and take it outside...right? The lady working where you order food couldn't be bothered with us--cutting lettuce was more important, so ordering wasn't going to happen obviously. The longer we were there (and it was just a short time that seemed like an eternity) we could feel we weren't welcome, but we felt like we needed to get something so we could sit outside. They have pre-packaged ice cream, so it wasn't putting anyone out. We just had to purchase and go out the door. When we checked out the lady that checked us out seemed to lighten up and be friendlier, so that was good....but we were leaving.
On the deck outside there are picnic tables with condiments (if you are lucky enough to order). I wouldn't exactly call the store quaint, but it's definitely unusual. You have a great view of the bridge outside and the scenery is ok, but not anything great or to go out of your way for.
We thought we'd to go to this store to have a good meal, watch the bridge if we could and/or just enjoy the scenery. I made the mistake in going to this area in general with my family. As a tourist I didn't feel welcome at all, in any way, shape or form except for maybe when we were leaving. It's a total waste of time. Perhaps they have gotten too much attention and are getting a tad annoyed. However, we were the only customers there...eating our ice cream. You'd think in these parts the extra dollars from tourism would be welcome...well, then again, the dollars may be, just not the tourist that come with it.
Extra tidbits--As for that bridge: what they didn't mention in that show was that the bridge gets very little boat traffic. We learned this when we were in Boothbay before going and decided to give it a go anyway. However, our (your) chances of seeing it are slim to none in reality. I originally thought the bridge changing was sad. But after our experience, I am happy to see the change and it's for the best. Learning has certainly occurred to not believe everything you read online, nor TV.
My review of the Barter's Island Bridge: https://www.yelp.com/biz/barters-island-swing-bridge-trevett?hrid=y9h11TRmtRCNqAgga5aQcw&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
(7 pictures previously uploaded/attached - only 1 showing on review) read more