New cafe opens at former Orland school

A new cafe has opened in Orland’s village, joining more than a dozen other businesses and organizations that have set up shop in the town’s former elementary school.

Compass Rose Cafe opened Tuesday in a one-room space in the building on School House Road, which now houses the local community center . The town of Orland still owns the property, though the school closed in 2011. Since then, Orland students have attended other Regional School Unit 25 schools in neighboring Bucksport.

The new cafe takes its name from Compass Rose Books in Castine, and both are owned by Johanna Barrett. The Castine bookstore also has an in-shop cafe, according to its website .

Jo Doolan, an Orland resident who previously worked at the bookstore, is the manager of the new cafe. She said that when she saw that the space at the community center was available, she quickly saw its potential.

“I figured it would be a great spot for a cafe,” she said.

The cafe is serving baked goods, hot drinks and smoothies, but Doolan said she plans to expand its offerings. She has an espresso machine but hasn’t yet set it up for service, she said, and she hopes to also sell a selection of books, magazines, and greeting cards.

“Right now, it’s just me,” she said of the cafe staff. “I’m nervous but excited.”

The cafe’s hours are from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

Other businesses and organizations that draw people to the community center include a barber shop, a hairdresser, a nail salon, a tax preparation business, gift shops, and a fitness center, among others.

The building is one of nearly 50 statewide that used to house public schools that have closed in the past 20 years, most of them elementary schools in rural parts of Maine. Students in towns where schools have closed typically are bused to others in nearby communities.

Some of the former schools have been turned into town offices or sold to private owners who have renovated them into businesses or housing facilities .