Pier Street Market is every bit a small town grocery store that you might expect to find in, well, a small town. Mrs. Beasley usually stocks it with things tourists come in looking for during the season, like Land ‘O Lakes butter, and Folger’s coffee, but during the winter, or if you look behind the national brands, there’s the good stuff that us locals prefer. If you move the butter to the left a couple inches, you’ll see waxed paper-wrapped blocks of butter with the Tawnyberry Farms name on them.
At the bakery, just ask for Mrs. Johnson’s pies rather than the mass produced stuff. And when things are in season, you will almost always find local produce.
Todd worked the market as a first job, and stayed there until, actually, I don’t think he ever formally quit, not that I think about it. He still works there when Ken Beasley gives him a call to see if he wants to help with an unload or just to pick up some hours. I’ve picked up hours there too, on and off, but most of the time, if I am working, I waitress at Mel’s.
Charles has a small list of must-haves that the Beasley’s always keep in stock for him. Bagels and cream cheese, Misty Brook Bacon, eggs, milk, and Mrs. Johnson’s frozen Pot Pies are his favorites. Everything else, he just picks from what’s available. Oh, yeah, and the Carrabassett coffee. The Beasley’s order a case at a time just for Charles these days. Did I mention how much coffee the three of us go through?
There’s a farmer’s market during the summer right next to the building. The space is part of the parking lot, and there’s only room for six stalls, but often, the whole parking lot will be filled with tents during tourist season. You can find little knick-knacks, pocket knives, wood-carved toys, and other things if you come on the right weekends.
If you ever need more than a small town grocery store like the Beasley’s Pier Street Market offers, there is a Walmart out Pike road about six miles too, but we hardly ever go there. Everything you need is right in East Bay if you’re not picky.