We all have memories of the local markets that used to line the highways and byways of the small hometowns we all grew up in. Village Food Market owners John Cavaretta and Randall Coulton invite you to share in these memories and make your own.

There was the squeaky front porch door, the old wooden oiled floors, worn and uneven with time, along with the chatter of the morning local gossip.

There were the aromas from the deli, such as the block of aged cheddar, hickory smoked bacon, and the nutty smell of coffee on the burner.

Growing up here in Wells, my earliest memories are of Joe's Market in the Town Hall building in the center of Wells. I remember the Tom Thumb Market near Drakes Island and Zahare's I.G.A. in Wells. Here in Ogunquit the town once supported three local grocery stores. There was Maxwell's Market, with the large moose head over Mr. Sleeper's wonderful meat department. Across the street the Harbor Candy Store housed an A & P. Next to my father's Gulf station, in the 60's, was Howell's Market.

I remember the old wooden floors, which were worn uneven from years of beach sand brought in by the summer travelers. Making my way back to the coolers, I would pass the Eight O'Clock coffee grinder. The memory of the aroma destined me to be a coffee drinker and open my own coffee shops. Passing by Mr. Howell's meat case, then onto the old oak glass door reach-in, I would select my soda pop. Generations had passed through these doors, greeting friends and new acquaintances, sharing news of relatives, their children and their childrens' children.

Walking into the Village Food Market you will see our version of an old familiar look. The mornings are still filled with locals and travelers, sharing coffee over morning headlines, dishing the local gossip. Freshly baked blueberry muffins, fruity delicious scones and coffee cakes, all to rival your grandmothers', are ready each morning to eat inside off-season, or in the summer on the patio next door at Fancy That.

Here at the Village Food Market, our catering department, Harvest and Plate, will cater your next summer Lobster bake or your next Holiday event. We specialize in Creative Seasonal Menus for Easy and Elegant Entertaining. Our beautiful Take - Away party platters are perfect for your casual Get-Together, and for your more elaborate Events, let us work with you to customize your culinary wishes. It is not easy having 25 to 150 quests over, but you can make it look easy by calling Harvest and Plate Catering, a division of the Village Food Market, right here in beautiful downtown Ogunquit.