Sure, it’s a book store – a real, honest to goodness bookstore. Sure, it serves some of Maine’s best craft beer and has a small but impressive wine list. And yes, the food is great. But the very best thing about Turn the Page Bookstore & Wine Bar? It’s so dog-friendly that as soon as we entered, the staff placed a water dish down for Chiclet and offered to watch her while I concentrated on the menu.

Heck, the bartender is even a former professional dog sitter.

One of Millinocket, Maine’s newest businesses, Turn the Page is hoping to do just that and help turn a page on the region’s economic development as it moves from a mill-based economy to one centered around outdoor recreation.

At Turn The Page Bookstore and Wine Bar owner Steve Golieb with girlfriend Ashley Wells may have come up with a magic combination — books, craft brew, great wines, good food and friendly conversation. All under one roof.

“I saw some great opportunities here,” Golieb said. “There is a lot of interest and renewed focus on the area with the new Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.

So confident was Golieb in the Katahdin region’s economic future, he packed up his entire stock of used books from his Baker City, Oregon, bookstore and moved lock, stock and barrel to Millinocket, opening the bookstore-eatery this past July.

Turn the Page features walls lined with bookshelves and used books ranging in topics from historical fiction to romance to paranormal.

A few of those logging momentos remain — some photographs and a chainsaw here and there.

But the vibe is now definitely bibliofile, welcoming and warm.

“I really wanted to do something that was in the retail sector where I could meet people and get to know the people,” Golieb said. “So far, most of the people around here love it.”

So, too, does Chiclet. Free to roam around and try out the furniture, she happily followed me as I checked out the book shelves while I sipped a frosty mug of craft beer. When she got tired, no one said “no” or “get down” when she hopped on to one of the couches in the open seating area to grab a few Zs.

Both of us can’t wait to see how the chapters unfold for this dog and reader friendly business!

Turn the Page Bookstore and Wine Bar is located at 57 Penobscot Avenue in Millinocket. Spring, summer and fall Hours are Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

Contact: 207-385-8008

• Uncategorized