Local Flavor: Coffee by the beach, pop up kitchen space and Bark Cream Ale
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Biscuits and jam pair well with coffee at Ocean Perk. SBN STAFF/Liz Gotthelf
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OLD ORCHARD BEACH — There’s a new coffee shop, just footsteps away from the beach in Ocean Park.
Ocean Perk at 5 Temple Ave. had a soft opening last week. Owner Erin Moriarty noticed the spot, which had been vacant for more than a year, on her walks to the beach with her dog. With prior restaurant experience under her belt, she decided to quit her desk job and open a coffee shop.
Ocean Perk features Tandem Coffee, which is roasted in Portland. Currently drip coffee and cold brew are available, along with assorted pastries. Moriarty plans to expand the menu and in the future will also offer espresso drinks, smoothies and breakfast sandwiches. Hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
Good news for coffee fans – Ocean Perk will be open year-round. So those of us who love to walk the beach in the off season can grab a cup of coffee before we hit the sand.
Pop Up Restaurant Space
Coffee won’t be the only thing brewing at 5 Temple Ave. in Ocean Park. Moriarty plans to rent the kitchen and seating area to caterers and food truck owners during evening hours for “pop up” restaurants. It will be fun to see what food vendors show up at the space in the future.
Bark Cream Ale
Meet York County, a local social media promoter, and Blaze Brewing Company have collaborated on a limited release beer – Bark Cream Ale – to support the Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk.
Available for a very limited time, Bark is described as a straightforward cream ale that is crisp and refreshing. It is for sale at area retailers and on tap at the brewery in Biddeford. The whimsical can features playful dogs at the beach, an homage to the Animal Welfare Society's work supporting pets and pet families in Southern Maine. In an average year, AWS cares for more than 10,000 pets and the people who love them.
Liz Gotthelf is the publisher of Saco Bay News. She also loves to eat – and support local businesses. If you have any local restaurant or food news, she’d love to hear from you. Send her an email at [email protected].