HALLOWELL — Businesses are reshuffling as summer begins, with an olive oil store, a juice and smoothie bar and a revamped ice cream shop already open in the city’s downtown, set to be joined by a new watering hole.

Owners of the new Water Street businesses cited Hallowell’s vibrant downtown as one of the reasons they chose to open up shop in the city, where restaurant sales rose nearly 50 percent between 2004 and 2013, according to state data.

Susan Woods, the proprietor of Vinolio, the store specializing in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and wine, is hoping that Hallowell’s growing food culture can boost her store.

The store opened late last month at 109 Water St. and is the second Vinolio — another opened last year in Belfast.

That coastal city will be represented well at the Hallowell store: Woods said it will sell cheese and charcuterie — prepared meats — from Eat More Cheese, a specialty food store in downtown Belfast.

But Woods said the store is “essentially a tasting room,” with that being the focal point of the store. Bread is available for customers to use while sampling olive oil, and she said there will be monthly wine tastings with pairings.

“You can come in, you can sample things and purchase based on what you enjoy,” Woods said.

At Juiced., the juice and smoothie bar, Barbara Niccoli-Hiltz of Monmouth is looking to fill another niche. The store at 130 Water St. also features homemade gluten-free baked goods, protein shakes and espresso. It opened earlier this month.

Niccoli-Hiltz, who co-owns the business with her son, said she’s an avid exerciser. After starting to juice on her own, she said she felt healthier. Many of the recipes were honed in her kitchen.

Niccoli-Hiltz said she has gotten good feedback so far.

“I’m feeling really good about it and I’m really happy that I’m making other people happy by sharing what I love,” she said.

For the less health-conscious, homemade ice cream has also come to Hallowell, with Smiley’s Ice Cream Shoppe opening earlier this month at 179 Water St., a spot on the street’s river side across from Slates Bakery that has been occupied by at least four ice cream shops over the last six years.

The Smiley’s brand has a long history in Winslow, but owner Tyler Angell of Winthrop, whose parents own Main Street Dairy Treat in Lewiston and Fast Eddies Drive-In in Winthrop, has opened two new stores since taking the business over last year.

The Hallowell shop came after another opened last year on Mount Vernon Avenue in Augusta. He said he sees a lot of potential in the new spot and good demand so far for the product.

“The atmosphere and people in Hallowell are very nice, very friendly,” he said.

If Coby Thibeau has her way, her new pub, The Maine House, will open by July 1. She said all necessary licenses have been approved except for one for liquor, which she expects soon.

The pub is going into the spot formerly occupied by Higher Grounds, a bar that closed earlier this year. It had to ban dancing last year, after state code officials cracked down on bars that didn’t have dancing licenses.

Thibeau was clear that her vision is different. It’ll be quiet, aimed at people who want “a cocktail and a conversation with the person across the table from them.”

She said The Maine House, 119 Water St., will have burger specials during the day, sourcing beef locally and specializing in serving Maine beer and wine, along with some in-state liquor. The dinnertime focus will be on small plates and cocktails, she said.

“What we’re hoping to do is perhaps pull in some of the people who are waiting for full seating and want to have a cocktail and an appetizer,” Thibeau said.

From 2004 to 2013, gross restaurant sales in Hallowell grew from $5.6 million to $8.4 million, a 49 percent gain, according to Maine Revenue Services data. Statewide, the gain was only 32 percent over that period. Through 2014’s first quarter, Hallowell’s restaurants are already tracking higher than last year. Mayor Mark Walker said the new businesses should contribute significantly to Hallowell’s ever-growing food scene.

“I think it offers a great amount of potential since they’re new and different types of businesses that aren’t found in the capital area,” he said.

Michael Shepherd — 370-7652

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Twitter: @mikeshepherdme