To Our Wonderful Patrons and the Kittery Community:

It is with an extremely heavy heart that we are announcing the official closure of Anneke Jans, effective January 12, 2025. Words cannot express how difficult it has been for us to make this decision, and how heartbreaking it is to be writing this to all of you. There is so much to say, too much to write, about how we feel about this.

For starters, we’d like to explain what brought us to this most difficult of decisions. We feel strongly that it is important that all of you understand the backstory, as it is wholly what has led us here today.

As many of you may know, this beautiful building that has housed Anneke Jans for the last 20 years, was bought by a company 9 years ago. Although there is still no definitive plan for the future of this building, it is clear that Anneke Jans will not be a part of it, as it has been made very clear to us that the landlord will not extend our lease. Through years of back and forth with no resolution, we feel that we have done everything in our power to try to remain in the neighborhood we helped grow.

For such a beautiful space that we love and call home, they certainly did their best to darken it for us. This brings us to current situation, where we need to move on and say goodbye to our beloved business. It truly breaks our hearts to close this business that we have cherished.

With that being said, it is so important that you all know how deep in our hearts your support and loyal patronage sits for us. It has kept us going through this long arduous battle, as has our incredibly loyal and amazing staff and family here who have helped shape what Anneke Jans is today. The bonds and friendships we have forged with so many of you, our patrons, have been a true ray of light for us from week to week, month to month. It is what has made this decision so unbearably difficult to make.

We thank you all, from the deepest depths, for everything you all have brought to us. For sharing birthdays, anniversaries, engagements, retirements, holidays, and moments that were important to you. We took pride in sharing those times with you, and in helping to make your life moments special. We’ve cherished making so many memories, sharing genuine laughs, having wonderful and meaningful conversations, and just the pure love we’ve felt from so many of you. You have warmed our hearts and kept them full for so many wonderful years. For this, we are eternally grateful. We wanted nothing more than to continue to be here for you all, and the sorrow we feel that we cannot, is consuming and unending. Anneke Jans is our home, and you all helped make it so. This is a chapter in our lives we are not at all ready to close, but we truly hope and believe the connections we have made with you will continue on. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU.

From The Bottom of Our Hearts and with So Much Love,

Jason and Megan