This Small Maine Country Market Makes Homemade Donuts Locals Rave About

A morning on the lake can work up an appetite fast, and one longtime stop in Belgrade has been helping with that for decades. This small Maine market sits close to the water, making it an easy place to grab something good before heading back outside.

Homemade donuts are a big draw, but there is plenty more packed inside. Fresh subs and pizza cover lunch, while whoopie pies and fudge take care of anyone craving something sweet.

The store also carries everyday groceries, souvenirs, and fishing gear, which explains why vacationers and locals both keep stopping in.

It has the feel of a classic village market without feeling stuck in the past. Add lake views and an easygoing pace, and even a quick snack run can turn into one of those little stops you remember later.

Homemade Donuts Worth Setting An Alarm For

Some mornings in Belgrade Lakes start with the smell of fresh donuts drifting out the front door of Day’s Store, and that is a pretty strong reason to get out of bed. The donuts here are homemade, which already puts them in a different league from the plastic-wrapped kind found at most gas stations.

Freshly made donuts have a certain texture that is hard to fake. The outside tends to have a light, tender bite, while the inside stays soft and airy, and pairing one with a hot coffee from the store makes for a simple breakfast that feels like a small vacation treat.

The exact lineup of flavors is not posted online, and it can change with the day and the season, so the best move is to check the bakery case on arrival. Think of it as a friendly surprise rather than a fixed menu.

Timing matters here. Doors open at 8 AM every day, and homemade goods at a busy lake store can move quickly on summer weekends, so earlier visits give the widest pick.

A bag of donuts also travels well to camp, the dock, or the car ride home, making it an easy crowd-pleaser for the whole family.

A Lakeside Address

Picture a village where the main street runs right alongside the water, and that is the setting in a nutshell. Day’s Store sits at 182 Main St, Belgrade, ME 04917, in the small village of Belgrade Lakes, which rests between Great Pond and Long Pond.

The store sits close to the water, so a quick errand can come with a view of boats, docks, and the calm surface of the lake. On a sunny afternoon, that backdrop makes buying a sandwich feel a lot more scenic than it has any right to.

Arriving by boat is part of the fun for summer visitors, since there is a dock where boaters can tie up and walk over for snacks and supplies. Driving in works just as well, though the parking lot is on the small side.

Belgrade Lakes is a short drive northwest of Augusta, which makes Day’s Store an easy add-on to a day exploring central Maine. Combine it with a scenic drive, a swim, or an afternoon on the water, and the day practically plans itself.

Old-School Country Charm

Opening the door of an old general store can feel like flipping through a family photo album, and Day’s Store has that effect in the best way. It has been a fixture of the Belgrade Lakes village for decades, and the place carries that long history with easygoing pride.

The layout is compact, yet the shelves manage to hold an impressive range of goods. Groceries, snacks, bakery items, deli offerings, and souvenir racks all share the space, so every aisle offers something new to look at.

What makes the setting special is the mix of old and new. Classic country store character sits comfortably alongside modern touches, like a full-service meat counter and a thoughtful selection of organic and upscale grocery items.

The atmosphere shifts with the seasons. Summer brings a lively buzz of families in flip-flops, boaters grabbing supplies, and kids hunting for ice cream, while quieter months offer a calmer, small-town pace.

Nothing about the place feels staged or overly polished. It feels lived in, practical, and welcoming, the kind of store where a quick stop for milk can easily turn into twenty minutes of happy browsing.

Bring a little extra time, because these shelves reward curiosity.

Subs, Sandwiches, And Pizza From The Deli Counter

Lunch at the lake does not need to be complicated, and the deli counter at Day’s Store proves it. Subs, sandwiches, and pizza come out of this counter throughout the day, giving hungry swimmers and boaters an easy answer to the question of what to eat.

Maine grinder subs are a highlight, built on long rolls and made to satisfy a real appetite after a morning on the water. Sandwiches come in classic deli combinations, making it simple to please picky eaters and adventurous ones alike.

Pizza is another strong reason to stop in. Barbecue chicken pizza stands out on the lineup, pairing a smoky-sweet sauce with savory chicken on a crust that holds up well at a picnic table or on a boat ride.

Subs here are built to be filling, and a single one can stretch into two meals for lighter eaters. Grab extra napkins, find a spot with a view, and enjoy lunch the lake-country way.

Whoopie Pies, Fudge, And Famous Cheese Bread

Here is a fun fact: the whoopie pie became the official state treat of Maine in 2011, and Day’s Store gives that honor the respect it deserves. The bakery case is packed with homemade goodies that go well beyond the donuts.

Whoopie pies here feature two soft, cake-like rounds with a fluffy, sweet filling pressed in the middle. They are big, a little messy, and completely worth the sticky fingers.

Fudge is another standout. Dense, creamy, and rich, it makes a perfect small indulgence for the car ride home or a sweet thank-you gift for the neighbor watering the plants while the family is away.

Then there is the cheese bread, which deserves its own spotlight. The loaves are soft and savory with cheese baked right in, and this is the kind of bread that turns a plain bowl of soup or a simple sandwich into something special.

Picking up a loaf at the start of vacation and another before heading home is a smart strategy. Keeping one on the camp counter makes for easy snacking all week long.

Bakery items can sell out on busy days, especially during peak summer weeks. Stopping by earlier gives the best shot at grabbing favorites.

Seats With A Lake View

Few things say summer in Maine quite like an ice cream cone eaten beside a lake, and Day’s Store makes that moment easy to arrange. The ice cream counter is a natural stop after a swim, a paddle, or a long, hot afternoon on the boat.

Boaters can pull up to the dock, walk over for a cone, and head back out onto the water in minutes. Watching the sunset with a scoop in hand is about as relaxing as an evening gets in this part of the state.

The store also offers lakeside seating, which turns a quick snack into a real break. Morning coffee with a donut, a sandwich at lunch, or a cone before dinner all taste a little better with the water stretched out in front of the table.

A cafe out back adds another option for sitting down to a meal, with a friendly team serving food in a relaxed setting. Checking current cafe hours directly is a good idea, since details can shift with the season.

For families, the combination of cold treats and open-air seating is hard to beat. Kids get their sugar fix, parents get a view, and everyone gets a memory to carry home.

Everything Under One Roof

Forgot the sunscreen, the hot dog buns, and the fishing lures? No need to panic.

Day’s Store is the kind of general store that seems to have a shelf for nearly every camp emergency.

The grocery section strikes a smart balance between everyday basics and upscale finds. Fresh produce, frozen foods, pantry staples, and organic options sit side by side, and the full-service meat counter makes it easy to stock up for a cookout without driving to a bigger town.

Anglers will appreciate the fishing tackle selection, which comes in handy on lakes that invite casting a line from dawn to dusk. Grabbing a few lures on the way to the dock is about as convenient as it gets.

Souvenir shoppers have plenty to browse, too. Sweatshirts, sweatpants, T-shirts, and hats with Belgrade Lakes, Maine branding make cozy keepsakes, while bumper stickers and other small items make easy gifts for friends back home.

A Day’s Store shirt has a way of becoming a summer uniform. Pack it away in the fall, and pulling it out again next year will bring back thoughts of lake air and fresh donuts.

Leave a little room in the shopping bag for impulse finds.

Smart Tips For First Visits

A little planning goes a long way at a popular lake stop, so here is the practical side of a visit. Day’s Store is open Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 7 PM, and on Sunday from 8 AM to 2 PM.

Service has a warm, small-town feel. The staff greet regulars and first-timers with the same friendly attitude, and they are happy to help track down an item or offer a suggestion from the deli.

Ownership has changed hands over the years, and each new chapter has kept the store’s role as a community hub alive. That sense of continuity shows in the welcoming way the counter is run.

Prices reflect the convenience of a well-stocked store right on the lake, and the value shines brightest in homemade items like donuts, baked goods, subs, and pizza. Menu prices are not widely published online, so checking in person or by phone is best.

Newcomers should aim for early morning for the freshest donuts, or weekday afternoons for a calmer pace. Summer weekends bring crowds and the small parking lot fills quickly, so arriving by boat or on foot can be a clever shortcut.