“We have everything here under one roof. We have nice romantic lodging, fireplaces, flat screen TVs and we have a restaurant and bar; guests don’t have to worry about driving anywhere,” says innkeeper Manuel Mercier.
The rural allure of the southern Maine coast, about midway between Portland and Mount Desert Island, is what snatched Manuel and MaryAnn Mercier’s fancy. For two years, early in their marriage, the then New York City residents had hit the Interstate-95 North stretch and spent hours searching for what Manuel describes as “a place of our own.”
Ultimately, the Mercier’s newfound treasure would become the Youngtown Inn and Restaurant, which fulfilled their dream to run a restaurant outside of the city. Manuel has an accomplished hospitality and culinary career that started at the age of 16. His wife, on the other hand, comes from an impressive financial service profession on Wall Street.
Analogous to their business quest and eventual unveiling of the inn, was the encounter that had brought them together in the first place. Marriage transpired only as an outgrowth of happenstance: Manuel, a French native, and MaryAnn, hailing from Staten Island, New York, although both on distant sides of the world, had a similar yen in 1988 to explore Europe. He became an executive chef on Ocean Cruise Lines. She, in turn, booked a 14-day tour that included a seven-day cruise on Ocean Cruise Lines. The rest, of course, is part of the history of the property that they purchased in 1991.
Three sons later and a roster of praise from vacationers and travel experts alike, the ending to the Mercier family story (at least to this point) is how it was in the beginning, a serendipitous journey.
“We just fell in love with this building. It’s a beautiful property: five acres of land, there’s a pond, there’s a gazebo, we have a little vineyard and lots of room,” Manuel recalls of his initial purchase decision that took him two minutes to make after he first laid eyes on the classic 1810 farmhouse nestled in the Camden Hills, five minutes away from Camden Harbor.
Extensive renovations redefined the grand old house that had once been a poultry and dairy farm for the Young family for over seven generations. Today, exploring the inn’s common areas and six meticulously furnished and comfortable bedrooms, guests garner a sense of country elegance.
“We have everything here under one roof. We have nice romantic lodging, fireplaces, flat screen TVs and we have a restaurant and bar; guests don’t have to worry about driving anywhere,” Manuel says.
Indeed, couples tend to linger in the relaxed atmosphere. Each guestroom presents a private bath and full-modern amenities, such as free wireless Internet in a backdrop of décor of utmost pleasure to the eye and the senses. The triple-sheeted queen canopy or sleigh beds are ever so soft and fresh, like tranquil clouds to both the body and mind. For added romance, some rooms have balconies and two rooms offer fireplaces, absolute musts against a wintry scene outdoors!
Couples on vacation, reunions and larger groups can get away for a weekend, a month or longer, in the recently built, year-round, loft, post- and beam-style vacation home that boasts three bedrooms, (two with a queen bed, one with a set of bunk beds and a double bed), two bathrooms, (one with a spa tub). Two hundred feet from the waterfront and an ample deck providing spectacular views of Levenseller Mountain, the quarters are complete with a fully equipped kitchen, gas wood stove, washer and dryer and many other amenities.
Weddings are what the inn has also gained a reputation for. The restaurant accommodates up to 70 guests. For groups as large as 130, the new banquet facility occupying a former barn makes for the perfect setting. Smaller wedding celebrations can reserve the private fireplace room, which holds 16 guests.
Whether wedding or personal visit, guests comment time after time about the exquisite personal service and scrumptious meals. In the kitchen, chef/owner Manuel draws upon his French heritage and European influence. National food magazines have featured him. Fine dining excellence is the norm at the inn.
“We have a wonderful French restaurant with a great wine list,” he says.
Everything on the menu, including the full-gourmet breakfasts that the inn’s guests awaken to, arrives made from scratch. Imagine how a dish of smoked salmon on top of potato pancakes or scrambled eggs will rouse the sleepiest of heads.
“We do a lot with local produce. People love our butter croissants. We make ice cream, desserts; everything is made on premises,” he adds.
In instances in which guests would like to meander off premises, the Camden area provides a plethora of activities. Bike along miles of country roads. Canoe on Lake Megunticook. Survey the Fernalds Neck Nature Conservancy. Hike in Camden Hills State Park. The options for adventure are endless. Guests, however, will surely come to identify the Youngtown Inn and Restaurant as “a place of their own” and not likely wander too far.
