Harvest Moon Deli slated to open Brewer location
Come Friday, Oct. 23, they’re tentatively expected to be sold at the newest Harvest Moon location at the Twin City Plaza in Brewer, if all goes according to schedule.
Currently under construction, the third outpost of the popular sandwich shop features a familiar color scheme of autumnal yellows, oranges and browns and a menu with sandwiches named after legendary rock, folk and blues musicians.
For owners Keith Manaker and Zack Richardson, it was only a matter of time before they opened another shop to complement their locations on 72 Columbia St. in Bangor and 18 Mill St. in Orono.
“We decided to continue to grow the business and thought Brewer was a good community — a community we felt we would be well-received in,” Richardson said.
The eatery opened its first location in Orono in 2007.
“When I bought the building [in Orono] I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to do, but I had a lean toward food service because that was my background,” said Manaker, who attended culinary school at Johnson & Wales University. “Nobody was doing paninis around here yet. It was going on all over the country, but there really wasn’t anybody doing it here. We opened our doors, and it was an immediate hit. People took to it.”
“We knew the feel we wanted to have,” Manaker said. “Orono had an earthy feel to it, so we were looking for a name that would convey the kind of restaurant we were trying to open. We wanted to come across as wholesome, healthy and earthy. Someone threw out Harvest Moon Deli, and everyone was like ‘yes!’”
The name “Harvest Moon,” shared by a popular song by Neil Young, became the basis from which the shop’s musical ties were born.
From the Janis Joplin — a melt of ham, swiss, tomato and Raye’s mustard — to the Jefferson Airplane — a concoction of oven roasted turkey, provolone, spinach, onion, tomato, roasted red peppers and pesto mayo — the names adorning Harvest Moon’s menu traverse time.
“We did debate whether or not it was a little over the top to name all our sandwiches after artists,” Manaker said. “We thought that might be a little too gimmicky. But as soon as we opened our doors, people loved that part.”
Harvest Moon Deli’s sandwiches and paninis offer Orono and Bangor premium deli meats, fresh vegetables, many homemade condiments and locally baked bread. Sandwiches are made to order. Soups and salads also are available.
The new Brewer location will offer the same special menu and harvest color scheme, but a larger space allows for a lounge and plenty of seating.
“We want each location to have its individual charm. We want a similar feel with unique characteristics,” Richardson said. “We may do a grand opening later, but we want to get our feet under us first. Stay tuned for a grand opening.”
To stay updated on the new location’s opening, visit Harvest Moon Deli’s Facebook page at facebook.com/harvestmoondeli.
CORRECTION:
An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified who performed the song “Harvest Moon.”
By Shelby Hartin, BDN Staff
Posted Oct. 20, 2015, at 10:48 a.m.
Last modified Oct. 20, 2015, at 6:07 p.m.