KELLY EDWARDS
Executive Director | Visit Freeport
Favorite Freeport Dining Experience? My grandparents used to take us to the Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster every summer as children. I have such happy memories of spending time as a family at their bright red picnic tables, enjoying an amazing meal and watching all the boats come in and out of the Harraseeket River. Every year their opening day is one of my favorite official signs of summer.
Favorite Outdoor Activity? Seacoast Tours of Freeport. Captain Peter Millholland has lots of fun options like oyster farm tours, lobstering demos and ecological tours, but my favorite is the trip out to Eagle Island and the home of famed arctic explorer Admiral Peary. It’s such a beautiful spot and the artifacts are fascinating.
Favorite Place to indulge in a little retail therapy? I have so many favorites, but if I have to narrow it down I’d have to say Sherman’s Books & Stationery. I love to read plus they have a lovely collection of home goods and gifts. As a devoted dog mom I also love going to Pet Pantry for supplies and fun toys.
Favorite Extra? Walking the beach at Winslow Park, Paddle boarding with L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Programs, browsing the bright and whimsical designs at ACK ME ARTS Studio/Gallery, and enjoying a tasting and grabbing a bottle of cider to go at Portersfield Cider.
MARGARET HOFFMAN
Community Relations Manager | Visit Freeport
Favorite Freeport Dining Experience? Hmm, so perhaps not what most think of dining but there’s nothing better than a great chai latte from MADE or a Casco Bay Buzz smoothie from Wanderlust Juicery and to do some people watching from the benches along Main Street or in Discovery Park. A quick slice from Brickyard Hollow Brewing Company is a great weekday lunch on the go.
Favorite Outdoor Activity? Exploring the barns and trails at Wolfe’s Neck Center. Everytime I visit I learn something new about sustainable agriculture and the scenery is awesome. It’s also been my favorite place to camp in all of Maine since my first visit there way, way back in the early 1990s.
Favorite Place to indulge in a little retail therapy? Cuddledown for the world’s best pillows and bedding, Sweet Repeats: Children’s Consignment for gifts when going to visit my littlest cousins, and Casco Bay Cutlery & Kitchen Goods when I need a little something special just for me! My favorite places to send visitors are Two Sisters, Freeport Market and M.A.D.E. because I love supporting Maine artists & makers!
Favorite Extra? The factory tours at Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolate Confections are my go-to treat when guests are in town. I’m a sucker for their Double Decadence Meltaway truffles.
SUE GRANHOLM
Information Center Manager | Visit Freeport
Favorite Freeport Dining Experience? A cup of delicious lobster bisque and the town’s best french fries from the Lobster Cooker or a lobster roll from Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster!
Favorite Outdoor Activity? Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park doesn’t have a beach, but it does have easy, woodsy trails & great shore access! Look in tide pools & under seaweed to find a periwinkle. Hold it on your hand & sing or hum softly, it will slowly emerge from its shell so you can see its head & antennae. It’s true!
Favorite Place to indulge in a little retail therapy? I love finding bargains at the LOFT.
Favorite Extra? The best thing – being able to park (free & easy), be outside, and walk everywhere in the village. Then, if I want to, it’s a short drive to go to local state parks, or walk, ski or snowshoe the trails at Pineland Farms, eat at Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster, or commune with the cows at Wolfe’s Neck Center.
JOSH CUSHING
Corporate Director of Operations | Maine Course Hospitality Group
Favorite Freeport Dining Experience? The new restaurant, Porter Kitchen + Bar at the Harraseeket Inn & Event House is a wonderful space and the food is delightful!
Favorite Outdoor Activity? My family and I love exploring at Pineland Farms!
Favorite place to indulge in a little retail therapy? L.L.Bean of course (the Home Store specifically) and while we are there, we have to pop over and take a look at Island Treasure Toys in their new and amazing location at 55 Main St!
Favorite Extra? I love having a coffee & cookie in the afternoon at The Bakeshop!
JAY PAULUS
Buyer/Manager | Bridgham & Cook, The British Goods Store
President | Visit Freeport Board of Directors
Favorite Freeport dining experience? My favorite dining experience is sitting at the bar for a signature cocktail and a plate of boiled breadcrumb oysters at the Freeport Oyster Bar. Really fabulous food, music and good company. Their kelp dishes are truly tasty.
Favorite outdoor activity? One of my favorite outdoor places is the Harresseet Inn & Event House garden patio with their firepit. Very nice setting for enjoying a beverage while watching hundreds of incoming visitors, any time of the season. I also enjoy heading down to the waterfront harbour and enjoying having a Canadian BLT sandwich on the docks at Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster.
Favorite place to indulge in a little retail therapy? Well, my retail therapy actually is covered everyday at our own shop. Owning and operating the family business gives me all the retail therapy one could want. We love our visitors here in Freeport, they come back every year like class reunions.
Favorite extra? A pint along with a cup of the best clam chowder in town at the Lobster Cooker. The upstairs cafe is a terrific place to also catch up on any of the week’s sporting events on big screens. It truly is a “Daddy Day Care” hangout. Their words, not mine.
ANDREW LOMBARDI
Senior Manager of Education Programs | Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment
Visit Freeport Board of Directors
Favorite Freeport dining experience? My favorite dining experience is heading over to Maine Beer Company to get one of their specialty pizzas, but always adding ricotta cheese! On a beautiful day, I’ll take it to go with a few bottles to enjoy while looking out at the ocean. That, and a breakfast sandwich at South Freeport Market!
Favorite outdoor activity? My favorite outdoor activity is doing some trail running out at Wolfe’s Neck Center and Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park. I know – I am slightly biased, but even after all the time I’ve spent out here, the beauty and preserved land out here is still my favorite.
Favorite place to indulge in a little retail therapy? I love popping into the L.L.Bean Bike, Boat and Ski shop! I love seeing the seasons change when new XC Skis come out, or the new bikes in the spring.
Favorite extra? Freeport is such a great place to brewery hop! Goodfire Brewing Co. makes some of the best beer in Maine, plus Mast Landing, Maine Beer Company and more.
EMILY CARTER
Senior Experiential Marketing Planner | L.L.Bean
Visit Freeport Board of Directors
Favorite Freeport dining experience? The Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro outdoor patio.
Favorite outdoor activity? Stand up Paddleboarding in the Freeport harbor.
Favorite place to indulge in a little retail therapy? L.L.Bean of course!
Favorite extra? Walking at Wolfe Neck Woods State Park.
BRIDGET CONLEY
General Manager | The Harraseeket Inn & Event House
Visit Freeport Board of Directors
Favorite Freeport dining experience? I may be a bit biased but Porter Kitchen + Bar which is located at The Harraseeket Inn. A subtle twist on your favorites and a fun cocktail/mocktail menu as well. The Shishito Peppers and Braised Beef Short Ribs are my current favorites!
Favorite outdoor activity? Exploring all of the beautiful coastline Freeport has to offer. Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park has an easy hike out to one of the most picturesque views of the ocean, especially if you catch it right as the sun is rising or setting.
Favorite place to indulge in a little retail therapy? Rustic Arrow is a great boutique shop for one-of-a-kind gifts although I always manage to find something for myself while there.
Favorite extra? Grabbing a coffee and scone from Isabella’s and book browsing at Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shop.
BRADY STOCKWELL
Real Estate Agent | Brett Davis Realty EXP
Visit Freeport Board of Directors
Favorite Freeport dining experience? Tuscan Bistro
Favorite outdoor activity? Running the trails at Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park.
Favorite place to indulge in a little retail therapy? L.L.Bean, of course!