It was less than a year ago that Sam's Italian closed its doors at 268 Main Street in Lewiston.

It was the end of an era to see the original Sam's no longer open. Sam Bennett (the 'Sam' in Sam's) started making salami Italians in a small shop in Auburn and quickly outgrew that location. He moved to Main Street in Lewiston in 1940, where it still stands today.

We've got good news for Sam's diehards. It's reopening, kind of. It won't be Sam's Italian, it will be Sam's Bakery Store. They open their doors as a bakery on Tuesday, February 13. According to the Sun Journal, they will open with limited days and hours to test the waters and see how business is. They will open only Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11 am to 2 pm.

What will Sam's Bakery Store have?

They will sell their yummy Italian rolls, hamburger rolls, and dough balls along with some other products like Sam’s Italian oil and Italian dressings.

Sam's has baked bread for its stores from a small bakery on the second floor of the building, and still does. They did some reconfiguring of the store, and consolidated the space. They are using the part of the store that has a dining room and commercial kitchen, so there is space for a business that might want to share. Or, it can be used as a prep kitchen for catering or something similar.

Since Sam's is such a part of Lewiston's history, the return of Sam's in any form is welcome news! Plus, I didn't give up carbs for New Year's, so bring it on!