Shop Local: Holidays Gift Guide
The holiday season is an important one for small businesses every year, and it figures to take on heightened importance in 2021.
COVID-19 continues to impact small businesses between workforce shortages and giving their all to make the best of a tough situation.
As small businesses face difficult challenges, it’s no surprise many consumers want to support locally owned small businesses this holiday season.
Small businesses are the backbone of many communities, and the holiday season provides a great opportunity to support such firms as they look to recover from a difficult year.
Gathering Thyme, farmhouse decor boutique opens in Rockport
Winona Elmore just opened her dream shop in Rockport, a farmhouse decor boutique called Gathering Thyme, opposite of Midcoast Recreation Center on Route 90. Her grand opening was Saturday, February 6.
“I had a vision of a place where people could come to find beautiful things for their home,” said Elmore, whose business is a family venture with help renovating the shop from her husband, her daughter, and her son-in-law.
Elmore’s shop is filled with dried flowers, wreaths, and… Read more
New Rockland business, Affinity Nutrition: ‘Nourish your body, achieve optimum health’
ROCKLAND — Affinity Nutrition, a new nutritional business, opened Friday, Jan. 22 in the Rockland Plaza, edged between Hannaford and Planet Fitness in the space formerly occupied by Green with Envy Hair Salon. The owners aim to provide nourishment to Rockland and the greater Midcoast community.
The business is owned by Jessica Ripley, of Washington, and Lisa Ladd, of Owls Head, both longtime Midcoast residents… Read more
Zoot Coffee to double its space with a move down Camden’s Elm Street
CAMDEN—Fifteen years ago, Sondra and Jim Hamilton launched a little coffee shop in the heart of downtown Camden on a shoestring budget with fun, eclectic decor.
Today, with more than a decade under their belts and a loyal customer following, Zoot Coffee will continue its artsy vibe in a new, enlarged space, only a few doors down the street.
While the coffee shop is still open in its current location, they’re in the midst of renovating the space at 5 Elm Street, right next to… Read more
Shop Local: Three gourmet and specialty foods made in Maine
For the holidays, we’re continuing our series to shine the spotlight on Maine craftspeople. This week, we’re focusing on Maine Made gourmet and specialty foods made from all around the state.
Cup of Sea tea made from seaweed
Portland, Maine
… Read moreNorthport artist refinishes old furniture with enchanting detail
NORTHPORT—Back in April, The Atlantic magazine wrote a story about how making old-fashioned crafts during the pandemic could ease anxiety. Millions of crafters took that to heart, and with the COVID-19 virus still raging on nine months later, many burgeoning creators have taken to Instagram, YouTube, and other online resources to make something beautiful.
One… Read more
Shop Local: Three Maine-made gifts $25 and under
For the holidays, we’re continuing our series to shine the spotlight on Maine craftspeople. It’s important to shop locally and support innovators and entrepreneurs who keep the creative economy alive in this state. So each week, until Dec. 25, we will bring you this series until you can’t take it anymore. Ready. Set. Go.
B&W Clothespin Artwork Display
Cornish, Maine… Read more
South Thomaston woman opens shop to help fellow crafters hard hit by pandemic
THOMASTON—Like so many enterprising crafter/artists before her, Jo Ann Hoppe, an artist and entrepreneur from South Thomaston, has made a career from her hobbies. Refusing to let a pandemic dictate her direction, she’s lifting up a dozen or so local crafters, who are selling their consigned items in her newly opened shop, Blueberry Moose at 166 Main Street in Thomaston.
“I’ve always been artistic, but in 2007, an artist told me I should be showing my stuff at craft fairs,” she said… Read more
Northport artist Jason Thurston crafts ‘Shell Ink’ ornaments
NORTHPORT — Jason Thurston is a Northport artist, using his drawing skills to draw Midcoast scenery on shells.
The idea to create art on shells came a few years ago when Thurston’s wife, Hana, was in the process of making Christmas wreathes to generate some additional holiday income.
“We had some clam shells sitting around, and she said, ‘Hey, draw something on those shells. They'd make nice ornaments.’ I think I drew a random lighthouse, the Mount Battie Tower and a… Read more
Shop Local: Three handcrafted gifts from Nature
For the holidays, we’re continuing our series to shine the spotlight on Maine craftspeople. It’s important to shop locally and support innovators and entrepreneurs who keep the creative economy alive in this state. So each week, until Dec. 25, we will bring you this series until you can’t take it anymore. Ready. Set. Go.
“Jellyfish’ Airplant Holders Made From Urchin Shells
Louise Seekins spreads love through handsewn teddy bears
SEARSPORT — Louise Seekins possesses enthusiasm for sewing — expected when one has been sewing for more than five decades — and uses her affinity for the craft to spread cheer and love to her customers, and through donations of profits towards organizations supporting those with Alzheimer’s.
She has sewn an array of items such as quilts and memory T-shirt quilts, items for her children and costumes for the 15 children’s community theater plays she has directed, and has taught the… Read more
Resources
PenBayPilot.com’s business directory
PenBayPilot.com’s Midcoast Entrepreneurs hub
Eco-friendly gift options
The saying “the more the merrier” certainly applies during the holiday season. But during a season of big gifts, extra food and travel, “more” can exact a heavy toll on the environment.
According to Stanford University, Americans generate 25 percent more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve than during the rest of the year. But there are various eco-friendly gifts that can make great presents and benefit the environment at the same time.
Purchase experiential gifts
When making holiday shopping lists, think of gifts that offer experiences rather than material goods.
Gifts that involve experiences, such as going to a sporting event or attending a play or musical, decrease reliance on wrapping paper. Such gifts also reduce clutter in the recipient’s house and conserve the resources otherwise used to manufacture alternative items that would have been purchased.
Experiential gifts that also tap into environmental pursuits, such as touring with an animal rescue group, or accommodations at a carbon-neutral hotel can be an added bonus.
Opt for locally made gifts Select gifts made by local artisans or companies that operate domestically. This cuts down on the carbon emissions from having to ship products from long distances or even overseas.
Get crafty
Gifts from the kitchen or ones made by the giver can be crafted from sustainable materials. They also show how you care by taking the time to customize a gift for the recipient.
Avoid gag or useless gifts
Select gifts only with utility in mind.
Skip purchases that are made only to beef-up the look of presents under the tree or to make it appear that gifting was more generous.
Items that a person cannot or will not use will ultimately be relegated to the trash, which is wasteful.
Wrap in reusable materials Fancy wrapping paper certainly looks nice, but choose other materials that can be reused.
Look for decorative tins, boxes, fancy gift bags, and other items that can be reused for years to come.