I’ve been meaning to tell you about H.B. Provisions in Kennebunk, Maine for about a million and twenty seven days. Or at least since The Girl and I found it way back in 2015 {or was it 2014?} when we were driving up the coast of New England on a snowy day in March while on one of our spring break adventures.
It was one of the very first “General Stores” we discovered and I remember the both of us being gobsmacked that stores like this existed. If you live around these parts, then you know general stores aren’t especially unique here in New England. But to two girls who both grew up surrounded by strip malls in high maintenance suburbia in Washington state, finding these little general stores dotted along the landscape as we traveled up and down the coast, was very exciting.
Now I’m pretty sure H.B. Provisions in Kennebunk, Maine doesn’t sell hammers and nails, but it does offer fresh fruit and veggies, light bulbs and toilet paper. Oh, and a hot meal {with plenty of seating} so for me, it totally counts as a classic New England general store in my book.
It’s also a great place to get a small last minute gift {think Mugs and locally made stuff} or a few groceries on your way home from work if you don’t want to drive all the way to the regular big box grocery store.
H.B. Provisions is kind of like an old school corner market, but with tourists {during the summer and fall months} and lot’s of hot meals that can be made to order or scooped up from the 2 buffet style {hot and cold} bars in the center of the store.
Soup by the pound? Fascinating. No matter where you go, clam chowder and tomato soup are ALWAYS on the menu here in New England. I don’t know why, but I find that interesting. Clam chowder… yes, but tomato soup?
Those Mainers…. They are are a creative lot.
So. H.B. Provisions has an enormous coffee stand that I am STILL trying to figure out. For starters, they sell bulk beans.
And then, there is the island of hot coffee with about 20 different blends to choose from. If you are a tea drinker, you’re kind of stuck with regular or decaf Lipton tea bags. Occasionally I’ve seen a packet or two of Earl Grey but I think that’s pretty rare. There’s also hot cocoa packets and you have to have a keen eye to spot the red hot water tap if you’re hoping to fill up your cup. And the water… it’s HOT HOT HOT. So consider yourself warned. UPDATE: I have FOUND where they put the Tazo tea bags!!! Wahooo. 🙂
Sugar and milk come from a machine. 3 pumps of sugar for a tall tea is about right {just in case you were wondering}.
But the bagel and lox there is OUT OF THIS WORLD, and so are the pancakes.
H.B. Provisions in Kennebunk, Maine. It’s like finding a needle in a haystack. Go there for breakfast. Or lunch, or dinner. Or hey, just go for a cuppa and people watch. You’ll be so glad you did.
Have an awesome Thursday everyone,
~Mavis
H.B. Provisions
15 Western Ave
Kennebunk, ME 04043
Susan H. says
As a fellow tea lover I can relate to your frustration over tea options. You should see how excited I get when I see english breakfast teabags!
HollyG says
What a fun place – much more personality than our PNW 7-11/Plaid Pantry. I’m a little confused on the giant ice cream cones in the Halloween display. Any story there?
dj_1973 says
Awesome! I am going to have to get to Kennebunk one of these days. (I worked in Kennebunk over 20 years ago and this place wasn’t there yet).
If you’re ever in Kittery, you should check out The Golden Harvest. It’s essentially an indoor farm market (wonderful fresh produce), with a lovely salad and soup bar. Their soup offerings are delicious, and salad bars are a treat. When I worked in Portsmouth we’d walk over the bridge to get there (it’s on Route 1).
Cdplaton says
I’m more confused about the Halloween decorations still up in March.
Kim says
My guess is, Mavis was going through the 5,002 photos on her phone and decided to put this blog post together, but she took some more recent exterior shots to round it out. Either that, or it’s a REALLY interesting place…
Helen says
I’m one of the owners of HB Provisions and first we are thrilled with your post. We are compelled to answer some of the dilemma with the tea. We do have Lipton tea and we also have a selection of Tazo teas, I will admit they are tucked behind the coffee pots so can easily get overlooked. Yes the water is hot and that’s what makes a great cup of coffee and tea!
As for the ice cream cones…well we got a new soft serve ice cream machine this summer and we wanted everyone to know so we put up the cones. They just blended in with the Halloween decorations and I imagine we will take them down when the Christmas decorations go up!
Next time you are in Kennebunk please ask for Helen or Bonnie, we are the owners (the H and B of H.B. Provisions we would love to say hi!
Tina says
HB is a gem of a place in the heart of Kennebunk , you won’t get a better meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner) staff is warm and friendly and the coffee is always hot and delicious.