Holbrook’s Springs to Life (page 2)

The pilings were again vetted by Brunswick structural engineer Bill Haney of Lincoln/Haney Engineering Associates, Inc., Mangum said Thursday.

“He was real concerned about the structural load,” Mangum noted proudly. “We had it all tested and it tested really, really well.”

Up the hill, two apartments and a studio in the Civil War-era Trufant House are already rented, and new managers for the snack bar and general store are already lined up.

Debbie Frankenfield will operate the snack bar, while Jessica Gorton, formerly of Sweet Leaves Teahouse in Brunswick, will run Holbrook’s General Store, which last year saw “a terrific response.” Gorton plans to expand the bakery at the store, Mangum said, noting, “She’s got some great ideas to add to the repertoire.”

As spring days warm and the May opening nears, Sparks and Swallow are working long days to finish the snack bar and ready it for customers. Mangum is on hand as often as possible, obviously awaiting opening day with great anticipation.

“I had one person share with me that they didn’t think we’d ever pull it off,” he said Thursday. “We’ve tried to be very quiet as we’ve gone about doing it, trying to perform on our promises.”

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