Central Maine Brewery Expands to Waterville
New beers, tacos, and tequila will complement burgeoning food and beverage scene
In another sign of the city’s vibrant and growing business environment, Cushnoc Brewing Co. and Colby College announced that the popular and successful Augusta-based brewery will open Cushnoc Cantina in downtown Waterville. The new brewery, restaurant, and bar, opening this fall, will be located at the Bill & Joan Alfond Main Street Commons.
While the new Waterville location will include some of the brewery’s signature beers, it also will develop and test new beers before they go to market. Additionally, the menu will lean toward a taqueria with an emphasis on offering central Maine diners a different take on traditional Mexican tacos.
Cushnoc Brewing, which began operating in 2018, currently has three locations in Augusta, including a restaurant, annex, and tasting room for private events. In its new location, Cushnoc Cantina will occupy a little over 3,000 square feet of the ground floor at Colby’s Alfond Commons, a residential facility that houses more than 200 Colby students, faculty, and staff.
“We’re really stoked about coming to Waterville and firmly believe we will complement the dynamic food and beverage scene that’s happening in the city,” said Cushnoc Brewing Co. cofounder Tobias Parkhurst. “Our goal is to not only provide great beer and tacos but also partner with the other terrific restaurants and bars in the city.”
Parkhurst, who grew up in Fairfield and has a strong personal connection to the area, noted that over the last several years Cushnoc Brewing has established a significant presence in Waterville, including having its beer served at a variety of establishments throughout the city.
“Our relationships in Waterville are extremely important to us, and we feel this move can continue to build on them. We don’t just want the expansion to be about selling beer. Rather, we want to be a community member that’s involved with the people and businesses that we know well and very much appreciate. It’s a very thoughtful move into a city that really means a lot to us.”
Cushnoc Cantina, which will be open seven days a week for lunch and dinner and have 80 seats, including the bar, is still determining exactly how many employees will work at the Waterville location but expects to begin the hiring process this summer.
Waterville’s brewery
Part of Cushnoc Cantina will focus on testing new beers before they go to market, which will provide a special opportunity for customers to experience them as they’re being developed. The brewery also hopes to partner with some of the restaurants and bars in Waterville to develop special beers for them.
“We want to be Waterville’s brewery, and as part of that explore some new beer styles. For example, maybe Mexican lagers. It’s always fun to partner with a neighbor to develop a special beer, and we’re looking forward to those opportunities in Waterville. That said, our number one goal has always been to brew beers that are nuanced but accessible to our drinkers. We want our beers to be recognizable to the average central Maine customer but also do something a little bit different and bring something new to the table without compromising our flavor profile.”
The same approach will apply to the menu. Tacos will be the focus but the goal is to bring something a little special to the category. In other words, handcrafted with thought and intention with an emphasis on local ingredients, freshness, and quality.
Cushnoc Cantina will also work with various tequila vendors to bring in limited tequilas and mezcals with the goal of building a strong variety of options in that category. “We want the venue to be a destination for date nights and birthday parties but also be a great spot for someone just looking to grab a quick beer or enjoy a good tequila with a friend.”
A vibrant and growing downtown
Cushnoc Cantina joins a variety of new businesses that have recently opened or will be opening in downtown Waterville. Highlights include Oliver & Friends Bookshop, Old Soul Supply Company, Main Street Provisions, MetaMorph Jewelry Studio, and the Robin’s Nest. Other food and beverage businesses that will be opening or expanding soon in Waterville include Aprilla’s, a bakery and takeout business, MEZZA, a Lebanese restaurant, and Incense & Peppermints.
“We’re thrilled that Cushnoc Brewing is coming to Main Street. Not only will they bring a unique food and beverage experience to the city but they’ll be outstanding community members who will support their neighbors and complement the strong momentum that continues to position Waterville as a great place to live, work, and visit,” commented Colby’s Vice President of Planning and Strategy Brian Clark.
‘We’re really stoked about coming to Waterville and firmly believe we will complement the dynamic food and beverage scene that’s happening in the city. Our goal is to not only provide great beer and tacos but also partner with the other terrific restaurants and bars in the city.’
Cushnoc Brewing Co. cofounder Tobias Parkhurst
Continuing to build Main Street’s mix of retail businesses has been an important part of the downtown revitalization strategy that was developed by city officials and community leaders. These businesses join other initiatives that are helping to reinvigorate the city, including the newly opened Paul J. Schupf Art Center, the Lockwood Hotel and its popular restaurant, Front & Main, arts collaborative Greene Block + Studios, and the Bill & Joan Alfond Main Street Commons.
In addition to the city’s growing food and beverage sector, Renys department store recently announced that it will be coming to Waterville along with Five Below, an American chain of specialty stores. There are also a number of new housing initiatives underway in the downtown area, including Head of Falls Village, the development of another portion of the former Lockwood Mills, and a new Hilton hotel complex.
