Our Story

Mission

Connecting people to the world

Motto

Plus Ultra | Go Beyond...

Vision

Frontier is a vision inspired by founder Michael Gilroy's travels as an expedition leader around the world. Gilroy's passion for connecting people with experiences that provoke a sense of discovery compelled him to create a special kind of meeting place reminiscent of a traveler's crossroads – where stories, ideas and culture interact in a rich and dynamic environment. Gilroy embarked on building Frontier – a destination where people could gather to enjoy and explore food, film, music and art inspired by the world.  (See Donate for additional information about Frontier's expanding vision.)

Meeting Place

For over 300 years, Fort Andross has influenced life along the banks of the Androscoggin River. It has been a trading post for fur trappers, a pre-Revolutionary fort and a bustling textile mill. Fort Andross continues to evolve as life around it changes and today serves as a vibrant hub for professionals, non-profits, artists, craftspeople and a growing number of creative businesses. The Fort is conveniently located at the base of downtown Brunswick's Maine Street, within walking distance to Topsham and Bowdoin College and in the heart of the midcoast region. The combination of location, a diverse local and professional community, historic character and spectacular river views made Fort Andross the ideal site to build Frontier's meeting place.

Building with the Past

From the start we wanted to build Frontier with as much reclaimed and revitalized materials, fixtures and equipment as possible. The raw and unfinished space of Mill 3 offered us the perfect blank canvas. In collaboration with Waterfront Maine, Mill 3 has been thoroughly renovated, updated and made more energy efficient. The original hardwood floors have been painstakingly restored. The tables, benches, counters and post and beam structures have been built from reclaimed timbers salvaged from a number of historic Maine buildings. The vintage cinema seats were reclaimed from the Biddeford Theater and have been creatively converted into comfortable swivel/rocking chairs and coffee tables by a local Maine artist. The café and gallery feature recycled counter tops, chalkboards, displays, doors, windows and light fixtures.

A Creative Canvas

As much as Frontier is a reclaimed space – it is very much an evolving, creative canvas for visual storytelling. Our unique 85-seat cinema provides a dynamic space for screening films, hosting lectures, workshops, meetings and community events and festivals. Our Beyond Gallery wall is a vibrant opportunity to exhibit contemporary visual stories produced collaboratively with storytellers from Maine and around the world. Our Compass Points compliment seasonal themes with stories and artwork that educate and inspire. Additional exhibition space is dedicated to presenting local stories and artwork. Frontier is developing programming – from children's programs to workshops to travel programs – that further connect us with the interests of our surrounding community.

The Crossroads Market

Frontier believes that one of the great pleasures of traveling is the experience of the Street Market (or the Bazaar) – a vibrant meeting place where all types of people converge around seasonal foods and flavors. Street Markets are rich in tastes, aromas, textures, sounds and images. Markets also serve as unique cultural intersections – or crossroads – where diverse stories, thoughts and ideas are shared over a cup of coffee or a meal. Our café/market is inspired by the essence of these street markets. Frontier is committed to creating an experience that blends fresh local produce, world flavors and seasonal culinary traditions with a lively and entertaining meeting place that encourages cultural and community exchange.

...Go Beyond

Frontier's mission is our invitation to you – come in...go beyond. We are building an experience where you may enjoy food, film, music and art inspired by the world. Our desire is that your experience at Frontier will become an exciting part of your own living ritual.

For detailed information about the Frontier experience, see FAQ