When we discuss economic development in South Berwick we often focus on new businesses.  However we owe much of our town’s vitality to the businesses that have been thriving and growing here for generations.  P. Gagnon and Son is one such business.  Since 1904 P. Gagnon & Son has been owned by the Gagnon family of South Berwick.  I recently met with Mark Gagnon, great grandson of the founder of P. Gagnon & Son.  Hanging above Mark’s desk is a photograph of his father, who passed away in 1991, when Mark stepped in as head of the company.

Uppermost on Mark’s mind these days is the high cost of fuel.  Last winter was a tough one for P. Gagnon’s customers, but it was no less difficult for P. Gagnon & Son.  Fuel deliveries to the company come in 10,000 gallon lots, so last winter meant a delivery cost of $30,000 and who knows what it will cost next winter.  Mark explained that higher fuel prices don’t translate into higher profits for a local distributor.  He also stresses that this is a very tough time for customers and says P. Gagnon is willing to work out solutions with those who are having a hard time paying for fuel.

Dominating Mark’s desk is a computer monitor open to live information on fuel trading which shows the price for oil fluctuating every few seconds.  “It can make you crazy” says Mark, “I shouldn’t keep looking at it, but I can’t help it.”  His advice to homeowners is that the biggest opportunity right now is in conservation.  (more…)

Each Saturday and, new this year, Tuesday afternoon, the York Farmers’ Market provides a way to buy from local food and craft producers.  The market is held every Saturday through October 11 from 9 AM to 1 PM and on Tuesdays from July 1 through September 9 from 2 PM to 6 PM  in the lot behind the York Chamber Visitor’s Center at its location on Route One in York across from the entrance to I-95.

You’ll find an assortment of food, baked goods, handmade products, organically grown produce and much more.  Go on Tuesdays and you’ll see two South Berwick residents.

Buddha’s Burning Buns, owned by South Berwick resident Jane Adams offers cookies, muffins, breads, granola & other assorted baked goods.  You can also find Jane’s products at Nature’s Way Market.

South Berwick resident Hope Murphy’s booth, fuZing!, showcases her unique fused glass jewelry.  These one of a kind pieces shimmer with color and pattern.

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South Berwick resident Cliff Gilliam has started a website where you can buy and sell items locally. The site works similarly to Ebay but is for local users and allows you to sell anything that you have, upload a picture of the item, bid on items, and buy it now. Because it is for local residents, you can check out items before you buy and eliminate shipping costs. Mr. Gilliam hopes it will be a way for local residents to make a little extra money or pick up a bargain from a neighbor.

Check it out at www.sbshopandswap.com

Cliff Gilliam is the owner of Ye Olde Computer Shoppe which offers technical support solutions. He provides local in home and in shop computer repair & upgrade assistance to the Southern Maine and the NH Seacoast Region as well as training & online remote computer support nationwide.

Deb Knowlton has been promoted to Lead Designer & Production Manager for The Little Hat Company.

Just shy of her first anniversary of working with The Little Hat Company, Deb Knowlton South Berwick resident of twenty years was named Lead Designer & Production Manager. Deb began stitching for The Little Hat Company during the spring of 2007. She had first contacted Jennifer Houghton in January about sewing for the new company. The Little Hat Company was just not big enough yet to support an in house production team. Since then, demand for the made in Maine Stroller and Loope Lids has grown enough to support a team of 6 part-time stitchers. Deb is proud of her new recent designs that will launch on The Little Hat Company’s website next month: The Strawberry Patch Lid & My New Little Preemie Lid.

Deb recently left her full time position in order to pursue her life long dream of sewing for a living. The demand for Stroller Lids across the country has grown to a point that it has become her main focus outside of her family. In addition to coming up with new ideas for Lids, Deb heads up the production team in South Berwick. She works with women who have a wealth of sewing experience as well as first timers who have been welcomed to the team. The team is currently made up of all stay at home moms. It was a great opportunity for the moms to reenter the workplace while still being able to put their family’s schedules and needs first.
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If you were driving through downtown Friday afternoon, you may have noticed a lot of activity in front of Little Hat Company. They were doing a photo shoot for an article for Country Woman, a nationally distributed magazine. They are also set to be featured in Yankee Magazine’s Summer Travel issue. Congratulations to Little Hat entrepreneurs Jen Houghton and Susan Page for launching this local company and steering it toward national success.

Read more about Little Hat Company.

The new windows at 4 Portland St., the new home of South Berwick Yoga look great! It’s amazing how a relatively small improvement can spruce up the look of downtown.

South Berwick Yoga is having an open house on Saturday March 8th 1-4 pm and on Sunday March 9th 1-4pm. You can see their new space and on Saturday from 1-4 pm PB&J unplugged will be performing. They will also have giveaways.

South Berwick Yoga offers yoga classes in a variety of styles including Ashtanga Flow, Vinyasa Flow, Hatha, Restorative, Pilates and Yoga for your Core. They also offer children’s classes through ChildLight Yoga. They will be offering Workshops and beginners series each month.

They are at 4 Portland St. in South Berwick. More information can be found at their web site.