Come On In
A York Beach tradition, just steps from Short Sands.
A Little About Us
Image sourced from a vintage postcard of Spiller’s Restaurant, 9 Ocean Ave, York Beach. Sourced from Stories from Maine Facebook Group and eBay.
Est. Long Before Us
A Local Legacy
of Good Food & Friendly Faces
Long before The Beach Bucket opened its doors, this corner of York Beach was already a gathering place for locals and visitors alike.
In the late 1940s, Spiller’s Restaurant & Take-Out stood proudly here at Ocean Avenue — a beloved seaside landmark known for its ice cream, fried clams, and sweeping second-floor dining room overlooking Short Sands. Families packed the upstairs deck, summer after summer, creating the kind of memories that define a beach town.
When the Spiller family sold the building in 1982, the once-massive restaurant was eventually divided into the spaces you see today. The original upstairs dining hall became what are now the Sea Rose Suites, preserving those iconic ocean views that generations once enjoyed over pancakes and coffee.
For years, the ground floor operated as a neighborhood market — the kind of corner store where locals stopped in daily and beachgoers grabbed snacks on their way to the sand.
The Legacy Continues
When the Duffy family purchased the building in 2014, they weren’t just acquiring a property — they were carrying the old legacy forward.
As longtime owners of Sands by the Sea next door, they understood what this corner has always meant to York Beach.
The original beams still stretch across the ceiling. The relaxed, come-as-you-are energy remains. What changed was the menu — adding fresh deli options, pizza, beach-day essentials, and the kind of easy, family-friendly food that fits a day at Short Sands.
The Beach Bucket continues the tradition of being a place where locals and visitors gather, to eat, enjoy the sea-breeze and connect.
Proudly Local. Always Welcoming.
From small-batch Maine makers to neighborhood partnerships, The Beach Bucket is rooted in York Beach’s downtown spirit. We believe in supporting local businesses, celebrating community, and creating a place where you’re invited to linger, connect, and feel at home — whether you’re here for a morning coffee or a sunset drink.
Tate and friends celebrating local partnerships and small-batch Maine makers.
From root beer floats at the counter to gelato cones in hand, the flavors may evolve — but the feeling stays the same.
Easy, welcoming, and just steps from the sand. So after the beach buggy rides, the boardwalk strolls, and the boogie boarding, come on in.
We’ll have something ready for you.
Come on in and make it part of your York Beach tradition. ✨
Welcome to the Beach Bucket
A few favorite moments from Beach Bucket — from fresh treats and local smiles to the everyday charm of York Beach.
