Hearty Roots Plans Youth Third Space in Former Bangor Bank 2026

Key Points

• The Hearty Roots will be transforming the former Bangor Savings Bank located in the downtown area of Damariscotta, Maine, into a youth-focused “third space”.
• A banner has been put up outside the former bank building indicating that the organization’s process for the building has begun.
• The development was first reported by Emily Bracher of The Lincoln County News on 25 October 2026.
• It was noted that the Bangor Savings Bank Damariscotta Branch at 100 Main Street had been officially closed on 27 March 2026 as per the banks’ community reinvestment report.
• Hearty Roots is a Damariscotta-based non-profit that serves young people using nature-based programming, school outreach, camps, and mentoring.
• The organization claimed that it had served 1,600 young people in 2026 and works from a home in Bremen and headquarters in Damariscotta.
• The Hearty Roots has received $10,000 in grants from the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation in August 2026.
• The purpose of the third space will be giving young people an extra welcoming spot outside the school and home, though details of the building usage and timeline have not been revealed.

Bangor (Wales Times) October 25, 2026 — Hearty Roots plans to transform the former uk/local/bangor/">Bangor Savings Bank building in downtown Damariscotta into a youth-centred “third space”, according to reporting by Emily Bracher of The Lincoln County News published on 25 October 2026.

The proposal marks a potential new chapter for a prominent downtown building previously used by Bangor Savings Bank. As reported by Bracher, a new banner now hangs outside the former bank, describing the change as a new beginning for the property.

What is planned for the former bank building?

Hearty Roots intends to convert the former Bangor Savings Bank site into a “third space” centred on young people. The term generally refers to a place separate from home and school where people can gather, spend time and build a sense of belonging.

The available reporting does not provide a full programme schedule, renovation budget, opening date or detailed floor plan for the proposed facility. It does, however, identify the central aim: creating a youth-focused community space in downtown Damariscotta.

The building’s location in the town centre could place the proposed space close to other local services and community activity. Bangor Savings Bank lists its Damariscotta branch at 619 Main Street, while its closed-branch record separately lists a Damariscotta location at 100 Main Street, closed on 27 March 2026.

Why does Hearty Roots want a third space?

Hearty Roots describes its mission as helping young people “off the grid and into their hearts” through relationships, belonging and meaningful experiences. Its website says the organisation aims to support young people before they reach crisis point, rather than responding only after problems emerge.

The nonprofit provides year-round school partnerships, campouts and day camps, and says its work creates mentorships and connects children with the natural world. Its programmes include Sunbeam Adventures, which is designed to offer supportive outdoor experiences for children who may need additional emotional, behavioural or neurological support.

A youth-centred third space in Damariscotta would extend that work into a fixed, in-town setting. The organisation already has a headquarters presence at 18 Water Street in Damariscotta, which it says was made possible through support from First National Bank.

What does Hearty Roots already do?

Hearty Roots is a Damariscotta-based nonprofit with federal tax exemption issued in June 2017, according to ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer record. The organisation says it now serves young people across Lincoln County through a year-round community that includes a home in Bremen, headquarters in Damariscotta and programmes in schools and communities.

Its work focuses on outdoor learning, trusted adult mentorship and youth development. The organisation says 978 Midcoast young people benefited from its evidence-based programmes in 2025, while its website states that it served 1,600 young people in 2026.

The nonprofit has also received support from Bangor Savings Bank Foundation. In August 2026, the foundation awarded Hearty Roots $10,000 as part of grants supporting essential services, economic stability and community wellbeing across northern New England. The previous year, the foundation gave the organisation $7,500.

How does the building connect with Bangor Savings Bank?

The former bank building has a direct connection with Bangor Savings Bank, which operated a branch in downtown Damariscotta before the site became available for a new use. Bangor Savings Bank’s own record lists its Damariscotta branch at 100 Main Street as closed on 27 March 2026.

The closure forms part of the backdrop to Hearty Roots’ proposal. As reported by Bracher, the banner outside the former bank signals that the building is entering a new phase under Hearty Roots’ plans.

Bangor Savings Bank has continued to support Hearty Roots through its charitable foundation. The bank foundation’s August 2026 grant round listed Hearty Roots among recipients in Damariscotta and Lincoln County, with an award of $10,000.

What could the development mean for Damariscotta?

For Damariscotta, the proposal would repurpose a visible downtown commercial building for community and youth use. The reported plan suggests a shift from banking services to a space intended to support young people’s social connection and wellbeing.

The development also aligns with Hearty Roots’ existing presence in the town. The organisation was named Business of the Year by the Damariscotta Region Chamber of Commerce in 2025, with the chamber recognising its commitment to improving children’s and young people’s mental health through experiences in nature.

Any conversion of a former bank building would ordinarily involve practical considerations such as building suitability, accessibility, safety, staffing and funding. The available reporting does not specify these details, so it remains unclear when the third space might open or how the interior would be arranged.

Background of the development

Hearty Roots has grown from a nature-based youth development organisation into a year-round service serving young people across Lincoln County. Its stated approach combines outdoor experiences with trusted adult relationships, aiming to build confidence, belonging and resilience before young people face crisis.

The organisation’s work has been recognised locally. In September 2025, the Damariscotta Region Chamber of Commerce named Hearty Roots Business of the Year at its annual Celebration, alongside other community honourees. The chamber also listed Hearty Roots among Business of the Year nominees in subsequent coverage, noting its focus on youth mental health through nature-based experiences.

The former Bangor Savings building enters this story after the bank’s Damariscotta branch closure. Bangor Savings Bank’s CRA record lists the 100 Main Street branch as closed on 27 March 2026, while the bank continues to list a Damariscotta location at 619 Main Street.

The proposed youth third space would therefore connect two local institutions: a bank building that has served the downtown area and a nonprofit that has expanded its youth programmes across the region. The reported banner outside the property indicates that Hearty Roots is publicly signalling its intention for the site.

Prediction: how could this affect young people and the community?

If the plan progresses, young people in Damariscotta and surrounding Lincoln County could gain a dedicated downtown place to gather outside home and school. For families, that could mean another local option for supervised, youth-oriented activity and connection.

For Hearty Roots, the building could provide a more visible base from which to deliver its existing mentorship, outdoor and school-partnership work. The organisation already reports serving 1,600 young people in 2026, so an additional physical space could support that continuing demand.

For downtown Damariscotta, the proposal could bring regular youth activity to a former bank site, potentially increasing footfall and reinforcing the town’s community infrastructure. The practical effect will depend on details not yet public, including the building’s renovation, operating model, staffing and opening schedule.