News, Reviews & Awards
Only 50 miles away, York, Maine, boasts a taste of everything
July 30, 2008, from the Lawrence Eagle-Tribune
Greasy diners and high-end restaurants; kitschy gifts and collectible art; scenic strolls and action-packed arcades: The coastline town of York, Maine, offers a little something for every day tripper. Read More...
TV Diner with Billy Costa Review: Blue Sky
Occupying the second floor of the newly renovated Atlantic House Hotel in York Beach, Maine, Blue Sky offers upscale dining in a classy contemporary décor. A central stone fireplace services the cozy lounge as well as the more formal dining space. Read More...
Appealing to your appetite In an old-time beach town Blue Sky's recipe for success is an upscale take on seaside cuisine
May 25, 2008, from The Boston Globe
Outside the sky is a deep shade of cerulean, just right for Lydia Shire's new restaurant, Blue Sky on York Beach. Inside Shire stands in front of the pizza oven as she trims fat globe artichokes and describes new dishes to her waitstaff. Blue Sky is Shire's first venture outside Boston, where her fame grew as chef and owner of Locke-Ober, the former Biba, and Pignoli. Blue Sky, which opened last winter, is gearing up for its first tourist season. Read more...
You'll dig it: Maine beach town has both old-time feel and an elegant side
May 21, 2008, from The Boston Globe
The New England coast doesn't have many places left like York Beach. Ignore the makes and models of cars on the street, and you could believe you were in a scene from "Beach Blanket Bingo." Short Sands Beach here has the look and feel of an old-fashioned family-friendly summer town: salt water taffy and kettle corn, bowling and a game arcade right on the beach, with the Ferris wheel and elephants a block away. Read more...
York Beach is not just a summer spot anymore
February 17, 2008, from Fosters Daily Democrat
The newly renovated Atlantic House Hotel, with its year-round restaurant, shops and luxurious condominiums, may represent the first of many changes at Short Sands in York Beach, Maine. Read more...
SEA, a new boutique in York Beach
February 13, 2008,
from Seacoast Newspapers
With an extensive background as a make-up artist in the entertainment industry, Erika McCauley has opened SEA, a boutique store on the ground floor in the renovated Atlantic House in York Beach. Focusing on higher end cosmetics and jewelry, clothing, and accessories primarily made in New England, McCauley said she hopes to attract a diverse customer base but is really targeting what may be described as "the alpha female." Read more...
Dining Out: Blue Sky on York Beach
January 10, 2008, from Seacoast Newspapers
Rising above the souvenir shops and taffy stores of this touristy town (now in its wintry and somewhat depressing lull) is one sophisticated (but not offputting) restaurant. It's spectacular. But of course! Boston culinary luminary Chef Lydia Shire is in charge (come on! Locke-Ober, Bibo, Pignoli — greats all) and she's brought absolute pizzazz into the area. The food is inventive and delightful with a familiar base of comfort cuisine, the staff knows so much about the menu I felt I'd stepped into a refreshingly astute gastro think tank, and the décor, well, this place is hip, whimsical, quirky, comfortable and lovely all at the same time. Read more...
Editorial: Shaping the future of York Beach
January 9, 2008,
from Seacoast Newspapers
The York Beach Renaissance Committee has since 2005 been working to craft a new ordinance that will govern the future development and revitalization of York Beach. Read more...
The Atlantic House Comes Back To Life
November 9, 2007, from The Weekly Sentinel
One of, if not the biggest eyesores in York Beach is now a shining example of the proposed Renaissance. A week ago the ribbon was officially cut opening the Atlantic House and the Meeting House, the first steps in the effort to rehabilitate the area to make it a year round destination for Seacoast residents and visitors as well. Read more...
Atlantic House almost done; Kearsarge next in lineup at York Beach
November 07, 2007, from Seacoast Newspapers
The York Beach renaissance has begun. On a cool, cloudless Friday, local officials and developers Don Rivers and Harold Anderson cut a red ribbon strung in front of Atlantic House to signify the building's renovation. More than 150 people attended the event. Read more...
Restaurant set to open in York
November 02, 2007, from Seacoast Newspapers
Scheduled to open by the end of this week, Blue Sky on York Beach will be the area's newest year-round restaurant. The establishment is a joint venture between nationally renowned restaurateur and chef Lydia Shire and developer Don Rivers with his wife, Mary. Read more...
New restaurant, Blue Sky on York Beach, now open
October 31, 2007, from Seacoast Newspapers
Scheduled to open by the end of this week, Blue Sky on York Beach will be the area's newest year-round restaurant. The establishment is a joint venture between nationally renowned restaurateur and chef Lydia Shire and developer Don Rivers with his wife, Mary. read more...
Commemorative bricks pave way at Atlantic House
September 12, 2007, from Seacoast Newspapers
It may not be the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but for all of the people named on the 1,360 bricks laid in front of the Atlantic House, the fame's the same. Read more...
Rebirth of landmark: Ground broken for York's Atlantic House
November 24, 2006, from Fosters Daily Democrat
On a sunny and crisp November afternoon, members and supporters of the York community gathered in the heart of York Beach to celebrate the rebirth of a landmark. The once-prominent Atlantic House, otherwise known as "Pop's Shell Shack," may look rundown now, but the historic structure will soon be refurbished, thanks to a final approval earlier this month. Read more...
York Beach makeover
February 23, 2006, from Seacoast Newspapers
York Beach will be getting a major facelift this summer. On Tuesday, the Planning Board approved the renovation of one of the town's most noted landmarks, the Atlantic House. Known to locals as Pop's Shell Shack, the building will be completely gutted and the siding removed in order to create a tourist destination. Read more...
Restoration of York's Atlantic House gains approval
February 22, 2006, from Fosters Daily Democrat
The restoration of the 118-year-old Atlantic House in downtown York Beach from a rundown, four-story building to retail shops, a 230-seat restaurant and residential units is set to begin. Don Rivers, owner of the York based Rivers by the Sea real estate development company, is developer of the project that received Planning Board approval on Tuesday. The plan for the Atlantic House, located on Beach and Main Street, calls for five retail shops on the first floor, a restaurant on the second floor, and nine residential units on the top two floors. Read more...
York planners to take up Atlantic House conversion
February 21, 2006, from Fosters Daily Democrat
The planning board tonight may give its final approval for the conversion of the 1888 Atlantic House at York Beach.
For three years now, Rivers by the Sea, a local real estate development company, has been trying to restore the 1888 Atlantic House on Beach Street and Main Street. Don Rivers, owner of the company, is the project's developer. Read more...
Atlantic House sold in 1894 for $9,00
December 28, 2005, from Seacoast Newspapers
"This fine, spacious house, situated only eleven miles from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and easily reached by the York Harbor and Beach Railroad, and also by electric street railway which passes the doors, is in a good sanitary condition, with large, spacious sleeping rooms, smoking and reading rooms, supplied with all the various daily papers, fine large dining room, seating 100, overlooking the beach, parlor finely furnished with piano, divans, easy chairs, etc., and bath houses exclusively for the guests…" Read more...
