For the majority of stores in Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor, the summer of 2013 was a good one. The streets were full of people, and they weren't just looking this season. They were spending.

“It was a very good season,” Arthur Webster of Orne's Candy Store in Boothbay Harbor said. “When it rained, the people came in. And they still came in when the sun shined.

“There were days we could hardly keep candy in the store there were so many people.”

The hotels in the area also, in general, did well. The Lafayette hotels (including Tugboat Inn, Boothbay Harbor Inn, and Fisherman's Wharf) all did a healthy business.

“We were full up most weekends, and had lots of walk-ins all summer,” said Crystal Campbell of Tugboat Inn. “Boothbay Harbor Inn had more buses come though this year, and there was buzz at Fisherman's Wharf since John Reed returned.”

“We did a lot of updating this year at Tugboat, redoing the bathrooms and adding granite vanity’s and 42-inch TVs to every room. I think that helped our numbers,” Campbell said.

The Flagship Inn also did well. “it was a little better than last year,” Nancy Bosio-Pickett said. “It was certainly busier in general, and we had more people of the weekends.”

Doug Roberts of Oak Street Provisions and its new offshoot, Mainely Fishing, had a healthy season as well. “July and August were great,” Roberts said. “So was the beginning of September. Things have slacked off a but since then, but it is fall now.”

Mainely Scooters, owned by Greg Singer underneath Oak Street Provisions, has also done well this year. They expanded after last season, and have recently begun carrying the auto moto (an enclosed, three-wheeled 150cc scooter with a max speed of 50 mph).

A couple of other businesses expanded after last year, including Coastal Maine Popcorn, which moved from their location across from the Boothbay Harbor post office to the old Bob's Photo on Townsend Avenue.

“We think summer was great,” said owner Julie Roberts. “It's hard to compare ‘cause we had the move, but business is good. Overall we had a good summer and we still have lots going on since we stay open all year.”

Coastal Maine Popcorn is hardly slowing down with summer ending. Just this week they introduced a new program, “The Club Can.” For $25, members can purchase a one-gallon numbered tin and bring it in at any time for $5 refills of sweets or savories. One refill is equal to three small bags, or a $13.47 value.

Eventide Epicurean Specialties also expanded into bread and cheese (and chocolate) this year, with a great response.

“It's fantastic,” said owner Kim Martin in the bread bakery. “Everyone has been interested and the result has been terrific.”

Jen Pinkham Field, who owns The Villa, was open for only her second season but had a great year.

“It went very, very well,” Field said. “Lots of compliments on the merchandise and lots of repeat customers that came last year and came back again.”

Even businesses a little ways out of town did well.

“On Board Fabrics had a very nice season. It was only my second summer as owner, so, we are still on the learning curve,” Owner Molly Hutchins said. “I sold almost all of the ‘Molly Jackets’ I had made.”

The same positive sentiments were echoed around most of the town. Gaye Ferrante, working at Sadie Greens, reminds everyone that for some businesses, the season is not really over.

“So far so good — but it's not over for us! We stay open so come and see us year-round.”

Katrina Clark can be reached at 207-633-4620 or katrinaclark@boothbayregister.com. Follow her on Twitter: @BBRegisterClark or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BBRegisterKatrinaClark.