Boothbay Harbor Country Club owner Paul Coulombe has bought the Rocktide Inn & Restaurant in Boothbay Harbor.

Along with the inn and restaurant, located at 35-37 Atlantic Avenue on the east side of the harbor, the sale included an adjacent 16,000-square-foot waterfront lot owned by Susan Miller and Melanie (Betsey) Kipp. The total cost to Coulombe was $3.75 million.

According to Coulombe representative Michelle Amero, the plans for Rocktide, which will be called The Rocktide Oceanside Golf Resort, include extensive renovations, many of them focused on optimizing the views of the harbor and outer harbor. Amero said the upgrades will include installing Nana walls, sliding glass doors that will allow for opening up the dining room and bar area to the outside.

The outside seating capacity will double, and cedar posts with glass lanterns will light up the large deck over the water. Fire pits and vertical heaters will be installed to warm up chilly evenings.

Rooms in the inn will be getting makeovers, too. All new mattresses, linens, pillows, lights, sinks and toilets are in the plans. The existing beds, mattresses, bedding and dressers will be donated to local people in need. A group of volunteers has been assigned to distribute the items.

The new restaurant will be called Coastal Prime Seaside Dining.

Guests who stay at the inn will receive 50 percent off golf at the country club, and shuttle service will be provided.

Future plans for the inn and restaurant, with an anticipated time frame of two to three years, include a major renovation, rebuilding it as the Boothbay Harbor Golf & Spa Resort.

Originally from Lewiston, Coulombe inherited his family's business, White Rock Distilleries. He sold it in 2012. He now owns an estate on Pratt's Island off Southport Island.

Four years ago, he bought the country club for $1.4 million. Since then, he has invested $50 million in the business.

In November 2016, Coulombe spearheaded a vote to build a new roundabout in Boothbay Center, on Route 27. He has purchased several parcels of land and properties there, including the Clipper Mart across from the entrance to the country club.

“Boothbay Harbor is a uniquely beautiful area, it’s a true gem,” he said in an email. “While boat building and fishing remain active industries, tourism has the greatest potential to have the most positive impact on the local economy. Over the last 50 years, we have not seen significant investments made in the tourism infrastructure, with the exception of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.

“I do, however, see the potential for the entire region which is what motivates me to continue to invest in the area. We have the second largest harbor in Maine outside of Portland with lots of deep waters, miles of beautiful coastline and charming islands. We can attract more tourists to the area which will benefit all of us. I have purchased the Rocktide to provide four star facilities and a world class marina.

“Boothbay Harbor is a perfect blend of fishermen and recreational boats. That is what makes us unique and interesting. I am convinced that the Boothbay community can thrive and prosper for all the residents. We still have a ways to go but I know we can achieve success if we continue down the path that will benefit all of us. Looking forward to a great summer in 2017.”

Rocktide first opened its doors in 1968. It began as a small lobster restaurant with picnic tables on the wharf over the harbor. The owner was H. Welles Steane. In 1970, Steane married Melanie Norris, whose family owned a summer home in East Boothbay, and the two worked together for 30 years, building the business into the large restaurant and inn that it is now.

Steane died in 2004, and his wife took over, managing the inn and restaurant until her death in 2012; the business was left to Melanie Steane's two daughters, Miller and Kipp, and Welles Steane's children, James Steane and Jane Griffin.

“The decision to sell Rocktide was not an easy one, nor was it arrived at without extensive consideration,” Miller said. “It has been a family focal point for many years and a hub for family activity. It has provided jobs, wedding and party venues, dockage, and lots of fun for children and grandchildren alike over the years.

“The current atmosphere of the hospitality industry is significantly more competitive and difficult compared to the hey day in the ’70s, ’80s and into the ’90s. Filling seasonal jobs with local high school and college kids is a thing of the past and there has been a significant proliferation of hotels, restaurants, inns, etc. both locally and up and down the Maine coast. Today's traveler is far more sophisticated and demanding.

“So, while the family continues to love Rocktide and will sorely miss all the people who worked for us and were guests of ours over the years, we came to the family decision that this was the proper direction for us to take. We are pleased to have sold to Paul Coloumbe and are looking forward to his vision for Rocktide's future.  We support the notion that the local economy needs a boost and think that the direction should be toward attracting more sophisticated tourists.”

The grand reopening of Rocktide is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend. All will be welcome.