The Thistle Inn, located at 55 Oak Street in Boothbay Harbor, was recently purchased by Mark Osborn, a former Boston resident of 14 years. Osborn runs the inn with his partner Steven Bouffard.

The Boothbay region has played a role in both mens' lives since childhood. Mark Osborn's family had a summer home here -- his parents have been year-round Barters Island residents for the past six years -- and his grandmother was a camp counselor at Linekin Bay Resort.

"I've been talking about doing something like this for five years," said Osborn, "I actually thought of leaving my insurance job and signing up for the culinary program a year earlier, but I was asked to stay. During this time the Inn came on the market.

"I was looking for a place that was a restaurant and an inn in a coastal community that was open year-round," related Osborn, "When we saw the Inn listing, Steven said, `Why don't we buy that?'- it certainly fit all of our criteria and this was a place I was very familiar with."

Osborn's first visit to the Thistle Inn happened while visiting the winter his parents moved here. "It was one of the few places we found open at the time. My parents and I came in and the fireplaces were going; it was so charming. I really liked it and have come been coming here (the Inn) off and on ever since."

An former insurance broker, Osborn went to work as a cook for Boston restaurant, Bomboa which he describes as a hip French-Latin fusion, that was People Magazine's "Sex in the City-like" choice for the city of Boston. While there, Osborn enrolled at Boston University to earn a culinary certificate which he completed last month, just one week before purchasing the Inn.

"I really felt it was important to research not only the Inn, but the business itself," said Osborn, "I didn't want to romanticize it too much and wanted to have some background in operating and working in a restaurant kitchen."

Partner Steven Bouffard is originally from Biddeford. He holds a masters degree in rehabilitation administration and worked for the state of Massachusetts monitoring the financial aspect of various rehabilitation programs.

Bouffard's first visit to the inn occurred last year when the pair visited as potential buyers. Recalled Bouffard, "It definitely had warmth and I knew immediately what changes I would make in the guest rooms."

Bouffard is the innkeeper, dedicated to the needs and comfort of guests. Small decorative changes are set for the near future. At present, all of the rooms have new beds and linens. The inn is comprised of five guest rooms - one is a suite with private entrance - with a sixth to become available in the near future.

Chef Chris Brown, formerly of the Washington, D.C. area, creates imaginative fine dining fare, all of which is prepared at the inn with freshest of ingredients. The Thistle Inn's dinner entrees range from $16 - $23. The menu will change seasonally and a pub menu is presently in the works. The pub features a bar that is part of an 18-foot dory that actually sailed the Boothbay waters. The man behind the dory, Al "Doktah" Flott, is the full-time bartender with a flair for blending "spirited beverages." Plans for acoustic musical entertainment is on the agenda in the pub.

Both Osborn and Bouffard have enjoyed hearing of the inn's colorful past and everyone's fond memories of it. They plan to have a guest book on hand for locals and visitors to convey their memories and/or comments.

"Everyone has been so nice and receptive to us these past few weeks," said Osborn, "We really want the Thistle Inn to be a warm, comfortable place people come to for good times and then leave with equally good memories."

The Thistle Inn is open year-round Tuesday - Sunday. To make reservations for lunch, dinner or a room, call Mark or Steven at 633-3451.

The Thistle Inn's website address is www.thethistleinn.com. The e-mail address marcvsone@aol.com.