A new cafe is bringing a taste of Middle-earth to Maine Street, Brunswick, with menu items and decor inspired by the world of J.R.R. Tolkien.

Elevenses Cafe and Bakery — named after hobbits’ mid-morning snack — started welcoming customers on June 11, immediately drawing buzz on social media.

The cafe is still in its “soft opening” phase, so customers can stay updated on social media, as hours vary.

Owners Nicole and Chris Juntura, of Wiscasset, say they’re still testing out menu items and putting the finishing touches on the space, and expect to be open regularly sometime this summer.

Nicole Juntura said “people have been really excited” about the cafe so far.

“We’ve gone essentially viral, small-town viral,” Juntura said. “We’ve gained over 11,000 followers in the past few weeks.” 

The new spot has been highly anticipated, since the owners had to delay opening last summer and again in January. Juntura said a large amount of work had to be done to convert the pre-1800s property, which most recently housed a barber shop, into a restaurant space.

The Junturas were inspired to open Elevenses by their love of books — a passion that’s also behind their food truck, Plot Twist Pretzels.

Devotees to “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” books and films will definitely pick up on nods to the series, Juntura said, but you don’t have to be a fan to enjoy Elevenses.

“In our conceptual phase, we were trying to strike that balance between appeasing the deeply nerdy people and the people who have no clue (about the books),” she said.

For example, Elevenses’ popular honeycomb latte is inspired by the character Beorn’s honey-based diet. Another signature menu item is a black currant scone with clotted cream and jam, “something you might get in The Shire,” Juntura said.

She hopes the whimsical menu items and cottage coziness of the restaurant inspires people to pick up a Tolkien book, watch the films or even just take a second away from their busy lives for enjoyment and imagination.

“We’re trying to provide a little bit of escapism and encouragement,” Juntura said.