After 65 years, Doughty’s Island Market on Chebeague Island is set to close its doors on March 31. The family-owned business is the only store on the Casco Bay island, which has a year-round population of about 400 residents and a summer population of about 1,600.
Earle and Josephine Doughty opened the general store in 1961. In 1987, their son Edmund Doughty and his wife, Julie, took over the market, expanding its selection over the years.
Edmund Doughty died 10 years ago, and Julie Doughty has been running it mostly on her own in the decade since. Her two adult sons help when they can, but they are both pursuing their own careers.
“I’ve been doing it a long time, and just all of a sudden the past few years, I started thinking of getting older, and I just thought, ‘You know, maybe I need a change,’” said Julie Doughty.
While most Chebeague Island residents buy the bulk of their groceries on the mainland and bring them over by ferry each week, Doughty’s Island Market has helped islanders fill in the gaps in their diet with snacks, milk, eggs, beer and ice cream that would otherwise melt on the ferry ride over.
The market was also popular for its breakfast sandwiches and Italian subs. Julie Doughty’s egg salad was a particular favorite for many on the island.
“It was like three ingredients or four ingredients, and people always say it’s the best egg salad they’ve ever had in their lives. It has something to do with the atmosphere and the nostalgia of it,” said Joshua Doughty, Julie’s son.
Over the years, running the market has become harder, said Joshua Doughty. Getting some products sent over on Casco Bay Lines became more challenging, and running a business in a traditional mom-and-pop style was more work in changing times.
After running the store for almost four decades, his mom is getting tired, said Joshua Doughty. Closing the store will allow her to spend summers on the island’s beaches and more time with her first grandchild, Joshua’s son, who is a 10th generation resident of Chebeague Island.
“She really (has) committed her whole life and her soul to this island, and she’s worked harder than anyone I know,” said Joshua Doughty.
While the Doughtys are selling all of the market’s inventory, they have no plans to sell or lease the building at this time. Joshua Doughty said they are considering the long-term future of the market and have not made any final decisions.
In an announcement about the market’s closure on the town’s news website, the family asked that residents settle all outstanding balances at the store this week.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the years,” the family also shared in the post. “It’s been an incredible journey, and we are grateful to our customers who have made this possible for so long.”
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