Fifty years ago, a small bookstore opened in Damariscotta to answer the needs of year round and seasonal residents as well as ever increasing numbers of tourists.

Under the guidance and direction of current owner, Susan Porter, and two locations later, the Maine Coast Book Shop & Café grew in size to now fill Lincoln Hall, a historic and highly visible storefront on Main Street.

After forty years in the business, Porter is contemplating retirement and seeking a new owner to take this notable bookstore forward into the future.

The Maine Coast Book Shop & Café is one of the largest independent bookstores in New England. Damariscotta is situated just off Route 1 as the welcoming “front parlor” and service center for several towns including the Pemaquid and Boothbay peninsulas.

With the 139-year-old, very active and revitalized Lincoln Theater upstairs, the 110-year-old, national medal winning Skidompha Library in a new building just up the street and a local population clearly committed to reading and literature, the bookstore has established itself as the cultural nucleus for most of Lincoln County, enjoying the steady foot traffic of its daily regulars as well as the growing numbers of year round visitors to the area.

“Over the years, this community has been amazingly and gratifyingly supportive of the bookshop,” Porter said. “Damariscotta is truly a magic town, warm, friendly, and where our fellow businesses up and down Main Street have become almost like family. Especially with the addition of our café 15 years ago, we have become the favorite ‘third place’ in town — after home and work, where people go to socialize, relax, buy a paper or a book and have coffee. You should see this place during a big storm — we are their comfort and refuge.”

The Maine Coast Book Shop & Café occupies all the block frontage on three streets and over 6,000 square feet, the entire first floor, of Lincoln Hall, which includes the bookstore, café and outdoor tables and chairs under the largest sidewalk canopy in town. Lincoln Theater, upstairs, is a huge draw with movies, the Metropolitan Opera, stage productions and many other events, including, often, bookstore events when a big name author comes to town. Lincoln Hall was built in 1875; with its recent and extensive renovations, it is as vibrant as ever. Fifty percent ownership of the building is part of this transition.

Despite having to weather challenges to independent bookstores in recent years, the Maine Coast Book Shop & Café has remained on solid ground. The staff members are experienced, and the selection is both extensive and well-tuned to the customer base.

“I am being very careful to find someone who is passionate about books and bookselling, and who has the talent and enthusiasm to keep this place going for many years to come,” Porter said. “I feel it is our duty, as the bookshop is so important to the character of our wonderful town. I hear that every day.”