Extra! Extra! In Maine, a cafe helps subsidize a community newspaper

The Villager Cafe in Camden, Maine, is not your typical breakfast spot. It’s not just about the sinful-looking blueberry pancakes or the noisy foamy latte; it’s about something much more significant – it’s about saving journalism.

At the Villager Cafe, customers can enjoy their meal with a side of news, courtesy of the weekly newspaper called the Midcoast Villager. The cafe subsidizes the paper, with the newsroom located just one floor up. The revenue from the cafe, along with the rent from other tenants in the building and income from the Inn at Camden Place next door, all contribute to supporting the newspaper.

Reade Brower, the former owner of several Maine newspapers, merged four weeklies into the Midcoast Villager in September 2024. The cafe opened in April as a way to sustain the paper, but also to create a sense of community. Brower believes that serving the community is essential to keeping newspapers alive in today’s digital age.

Kathleen Capetta, who helps run the cafe with Brower, sees it as an experiment in rebuilding trust in news. The staff is present, visible, and real, engaging with readers face-to-face. The quality of the food at the cafe is also crucial to the success of the experiment, as Capetta notes that good food is essential to the overall experience.

Deputy editor Alex Seitz-Wald, a former NBC politics reporter, now works for the Midcoast Villager, despite taking a pay cut. He believes in the value of community engagement and providing a platform for people to share their views and concerns.

The Villager Cafe is not just a place to grab a meal; it’s a hub for conversations, connections, and trust-building. The newspaper’s mascot, Vern, symbolizes the spirit of Midcoast Maine and represents a hopeful future for newspapers.

The old-fashioned charm of the Villager Cafe – with people sitting down, eating, talking, and engaging with each other – is a refreshing reminder of the power of in-person interactions. It’s a place where the community comes together, where stories are shared, and where trust is built.

If you ever find yourself in Camden, Maine, be sure to stop by the Villager Cafe for a taste of delicious food and a side of local news. It’s a unique experience that combines the best of both worlds – good food and good journalism.

For more information, visit the Villager Cafe in Camden, Maine, and experience the magic of community-driven journalism firsthand.