Freaky Bean. CLOSED

Well, I've not added to this allllll summer. It was a difficult summer to do stuff it seemed. However, I am going to add a new Internet coffee stop.
It\'s called Freaky Bean at 2 Cabela Way in Scarborough. It is a very nice, quiet coffee shop, with great coffee and pastries. The coffees are roasted right in Westbrook, Maine. I'll try to go get a picture this week!
FREAKY BEAN is CLOSE!  I'm so sad about that.  It was a nice place.  I think it tried to get too big, too fast maybe.  Oh, well, onward!

More Coffee and Communications

More good places to get online with coffee in Maine coming soon!

Zoot - Camden, Maine

So today we're in Camden, Maine, downtown, in a little coffee shop with excellent coffee drinks, fresh fruit smoothies and baked goods. They have goooood wireless. It isn't advertised anywhere; you just have to know it. It has 10 small tables and 2 tall tables in the back. Outlet access is pretty good for about 5 tables, so if you get near the wall you are pretty sure to have electricity if you need it. Speed is fast. It is air-conditioned. Many of the places we went in today were not. Mainers don't always use air-conditioning as it is really only hot 2 days per summer. We consider those two days to BE the summer. Everything else just waiting for summer or winter.

Try this nice little place though when you come through Camden. It's just past Rockland and before Bar Harbor. Hours are 6:30am to 6pm Mon. through Sat., 7:00am to 6pm Sundays. There is an Open Mic Night on the second and fourth Fridays from 6pm to 9pm when you are invited to bring your instrument or just come an listen to some local entertainment, and have a coffee and treat.

Moosehead Coffee Beans Coffee and Ice Cream Shop, Boothbay Harbor

Finally, a wireless wonder in the wilderness of Boothbay Harbor, Maine! Robust coffee, great ice cream (try the deer tracks - espresso and heath bar candy), sandwiches, pasteries, gifts...and wireless. They have two computers set up for short term use to check your email, too. The shop overlooks the town of Boothbay, sitting at the top of the hill at 1 Howard Street. Their hours are generous, being open Monday through Saturday from 7 am to 9 pm and Sunday 8 am to 9 pm. They have tables outside to enjoy the fresh salt air, and they have a quaint old-fashioned interior. They can also be reached at www.mooseheadCoffee.com to order coffee online, but the view isn't as nice!

The Frontier

Here's a relatively new one...located again in Brunswick, Maine, just on the border of Topsham in Fort Andros. It has the BEST view in the area, as it overlooks the Androscoggin River. It is on Maine Street heading to Topsham, or coming off Rt. 1, take a right at the Topsham exit in Brunswick...not the first one that is really a bypass through Topsham. Park on either side of the building. The easier lot to park in is the one by the large main entrance to Fort Andros, but then you have to walk through the building following the signs. The other parking area is on the back, just before you cross the bridge into Topsham. It is steep and parking there is limited, but you can go in the loading dock door and practically right into the cafe.
Phew! Lots of directions....I should draw a picture.
But when you get in there, you will find a spacious area for eating light sandwiches, salads, baked goods, etc. and surfing the Internet. The place used to be a factory, so it is quite rustic with high ceilings, lots of wood and metal...giant windows overlooking the falls, bridge and homes of Topsham. In one corner they have a suspended lounger and comfortable seating. By each window they have a long wooden table that will seat about 10 or so, so there is some sharing of tables encouraged there. They have a small movie theatre that has shows on the weekends, so some nights it is busy for a bit right before the movie starts. It quiets down then and there's Internet galore.
I imagine you will be able to see the cormorants on the rocks in the summer. It's a wonderful view when the weather is stormy too.

Panera Bread: Augusta, Biddeford, South Portland, Westbrook

Okay, all the Panera Breads have excellent wireless, good coffee, great food and okay music in the background. Like many wireless places, they have limited access to electricity, so make sure you are charged or look for the outlets. If there isn't one available, park close and move in when the current tenants leave.
You can use the wireless with no hassle during most of the day. They ask that you be considerate of others there who have come to eat, and not take up a big table or stay if it is crowded. We have never found this to be a problem at any of the Panera Breads. The newest Panera Bread is at Biddeford Crossing and is tucked in at the end of a strip of stores below street level, so you have to find it, but it is well worth the search. They have a variety of nice seating arrangements and all have working fireplaces.
Enjoy a sandwich or a pastry with a hot coffee or a frozen drink as you surf.

Little Dog - Brunswick, Maine

Another spot for wireless and coffees...and treats....is right on Maine Street in Brunswick. The Little Dog has tables, easy chairs, and couches for your wireless pleasure. Get good coffee, a homemade goodie and online. The Little Dog was a storefront, so has nice lighting, with local photographers' work on the walls and music playing in the background.

The Bohemian Coffee House - Brunswick, Maine

There are a couple of free wireless places in Brunswick, Maine that are interesting to set up shop for an hour or so.
The Bohemian is right off Maine Street, located just before the Shaw's Supermarket. They have good coffee and an assortment of sweets and flavored coffees. There is a fairly large room with "close together" tables, but only one place to get electrified if your battery is low. There is another room with a couple of couches and comfy chairs if you prefer that type of seating. There is another outlet in that room by the corner beneath the plant. All areas are well lit, and have large windows to keep an eye on the weather and cars passing by.
The Bohemian is frequented by Bowdoin College students, Summer Theater groups and lots of individuals that have become regular customers. The atmosphere is friendly; there are no toys for kids, so it is mainly an adult group...
Oh, and they have t-shirts and coffee cups with their logo on them for sale there.