My fridge in The Cave is a bit sparse these days with the back-and-forth to the coast. Rather than restock for just a day or so, I was living off English Muffins until errands took me to further options around LA.
And then the menu from the Keag Store came across my Facebook page.
The Keag - pronounced Gig and if you don't pronounce it that way, you'll be immediately and forever looked upon as a person from away - is a small market, village store in beautiful downtown South Thomaston. It sits on the corner of Route 73, and if you pay too much attention to traffic or the public landing and waterfront before you, you might even miss it.
There are stores just like it all over Maine. You might drive right by it. You might never have heard about it, and you have no idea what you're missing. But the locals know. It's a small local establishment that has the stock items one might need late at night but also has a pretty good niche for area consumers looking for good local food. I've had their pizza for years and often told everyone that the best lobster rolls I've ever had were at the Keag. Of course, I've never bought a lobster roll anywhere else, haven't had to.
Lately I've gotten hooked on the Keag cheeseburgers, and it also has a pretty awesome breakfast - with eggs, hash, toast and coffee for under five bucks.
Another aspect I like about the Keag Store is that I've been going there for years. The store was originally opened by my grandmother's brother, one of the many Joseph Baum's on the St. George peninsula. I never knew about the family connection as a kid. All I knew was that the store had penny candy. And, though hard to believe, I actually made less money back then as a kid. My operating budget was merely pennies, unless I found a dime or quarter somewhere. Fortunately, I make slightly more than that now, and even more if a find a dime or a quarter somewhere.
The big thrill over the summer back then was to go to the post office in South Thomaston. Though our cottage is in Owls Head, we're not officially Owls Head peninsula people. It's kind of like we live in West Owls Head or East South Thomaston. The mouth of the Weskeag River empties into our cove. So, rather than go all the way over to the Owls Head Post Office, it was easier to go to South Thomaston. And, best of all, we could go there by boat.
We'd pull up the dock at the South Thomaston public landing, which is basically a parking lot and a boat ramp. I'd be given the responsibility of running up the road to the post office to get the mail. It wasn't a difficult task. I'd walk in and the fine clerk at the post office would either recognize me or know exactly what I needed when I told him our name. They kept a small pile of mail that would be forwarded to us. No need for a post office box back then.
After completing my task at the post office, I'd get down to more serious business - rummaging through the penny candy bins at the Keag. It was a wooden case with sliding glass doors. I'd slide them open and reach in and pick out whatever assortment I wanted.
It didn't compare to the brightly colored and, frankly overwhelming, candy stores I've seen today, but back then, it was the best I could imagine. I'd leave the store with a small brown paper bag with a handful of pennies spent on a good cause. I'd rush back to the boat with mail, candy and a smile.
So, it seemed kind of funny today as I sat at home that this staple of my childhood and life in that area would be reaching me via the Internet. The Keag Store's Facebook page was asking fans about what kinds of sandwiches they'd like to see. They also posted the daily special. Then the menu was posted, making the temptation complete.
I was ready to phone in a takeout order. When I'm in Owls Head, it's a short drive or quick boat ride up the river. From Lewiston, it isn't either.
So, it was a bit inconvenient and torturous to be teased by the Keag's offerings, especially on a growly stomach. But I couldn't help but think about how far life has changed and our world has evolved that the little Keag Store could keep me informed, keep me tempted and keep in touch with me from miles away.
Now I almost wait with anticipation to see what the daily lunch special might be or to see what ideas the locals have for improvements.
My suggestion? Make it so they can send cheeseburgers via the Internet to LA. If they can do that, that'd be great.
Of course, a virtual penny candy store would be pretty neat too.
