The last time Southport summer resident Ginny Colburn saw son Ed Colburn get a ribbon was in his school years, in soccer. Then at 15 Water St., Wiscasset July 25, he used Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce’s big scissors to cut a red ribbon in front of his new business, Water Street Kitchen & Bar.

She’s just 20 minutes from him by boat over the Sheepscot River, his mother said, smiling, minutes after the ceremony. 

During it, her son, the owner-chef, said he was “incredibly appreciative” of all the support from Wiscasset and surrounding towns. Everyone has been “very, very great,” he said. WACC board chair Jean Beattie welcomed the business. Work has been non-stop since the restaurant opened earlier this summer, general manager Shane McCarthy said in an interview. It already has repeat customers, some who are becoming regulars, he said.

Among Friday’s celebrants was the woman behind Le Garage, the landmark restaurant Colburn’s succeeds. “It’s awesome to have her here,” McCarthy said about Cheryl “Shep” Rust. She made the place a success for 40 years and they hope to for the next 40 or more, he said.

Rust was getting a lot of hugs. What did she think of the outpouring? “This is community,” she said. “Wiscasset’s an awesome community, and that’s visible here. It’s such a privilege to be able to celebrate this great new chapter.”

She said the place is looking fabulous.