Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 15 O C T O B E R 1 9 , 2 0 2 0 F O C U S M I D C O A S T / D OW N E A S T AROGOSTA/DEER ISLE Busier than ever in Deer Isle t Arogosta at Goose Cove hotel and restaurant in Deer Isle, social distancing on 22 mossy coastal acres with 10 private cabins comes naturally, albeit with some tweaks during the pandemic. is summer's modifications included introducing takeout and a tasting menu at the farm-to-table restaurant recently named Maine's best by Down East magazine, expand- ing the outdoor deck and all the new health and safety requirements. Mindful of the turmoil many of her peers are going through, owner and executive chef Devin Finigan is thankful her establishment kept busy all summer, its second season since she bought the business and moved her family there. "It's been one of my busiest seasons ever," she says. "I hate to even say that, knowing so many people are strug- gling. Last year we started late, but we were new. is year, we've been in the 90% occupancy rate since the begin- ning of July." Finegan, a Vermont native and chef 's daughter who has been work- ing in kitchens since age 14, says her business currently employs around 38 people. About a third were unexpect- edly in Maine this summer because of the pandemic. "We have Harvard graduates who were supposed to have internships in New York, and all these employees that had other plans," she says. "ey were back where they grew up and came to me for jobs … If COVID didn't happen, I wouldn't have this amazing staff." As far as the restaurant goes, Finigan says that while she had wanted to eventually move toward a tasting menu, that happened more quickly out of necessity. She reports that it was well-received, along with the takeout business she started before being able to open for guests and plans to revive in the off-season. Portland, ME dunhamgroup.com 207.773.7100 Local Knowledge. Regional Focus. Global Reach. The Dunham Group is proud to help clients like American Roots continue to write the story of Maine manufacturing, building businesses that provide opportunities and promising futures for Mainers. Call or Visit Us Online. Mainers make it better. Protecting dreams. Building assets. TheFirst.com/WealthManagement Individual | Nonprofit | Municipal RESPONSIBILITY FIRST Securities and investment products are not bank deposits, are not insured by the FDIC or any other government agency, are not obligations of, nor guaranteed by, any bank or bank affiliate, and may involve investment risk, including the possible loss of value or principal amount invested. C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » A This was all about adjusting and really listening to our clients. — Devin Finigan Arogosta at Goose Cove

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