Maine is full of artisans and craftsmen creating a wide variety of products – from hand-painted lobster ornaments, to necklaces made from sand dollars, to door mats made from old lobstering float ropes. And while Mainers are certainly a creative bunch, they are also busy, often working several jobs, and many don’t have the time to both create and market their own wares. That’s where Lisa-Marie’s Made in Maine comes in.
Located on Exchange Street, Lisa-Marie’s is chock full of unique Maine treasures and is the only store in Portland exclusively selling products made right here in Maine. While the shop has been in the Old Port since 2010, its roots stretch back quite a bit further.
Founder Lisa-Marie began promoting Made-in-Maine products in 1990 by selling her work in a Brunswick store called Stone Soup Artisans, which featured Maine-made work. As her involvement in supporting fellow Maine craftsmen grew, Lisa-Marie ultimately decided to open her own storefront in Bath, called Lisa-Marie’s Made in Maine. The shop has been so successful she has expanded three times into neighboring storefronts.
Lisa-Marie’s daughter, Marie, played a role in the company from a very young age and after graduating from college in 2009 she decided she wanted to join the family business full time. Lisa-Marie knew she wanted to expand into another city, and with her daughter onboard to help manage it, Lisa-Marie asked Marie where she wanted to open the second location. For Marie, the answer was obvious – Portland.
“Portland is a phenomenal place and there is so much to do,” said Marie. “While it’s a city and everything you could want to do is right here, it still has a small town feel and you really feel like you are part of a community.”
Lisa-Marie’s Made in Maine is one of the best places in the Old Port to purchase gifts for locals and tourists alike. For Mainers, it’s a chance to support not only a local business, but also local craftspeople. Marie says that many Mainers strive to celebrate holidays by exchanging gifts exclusively made in the U.S., which makes Lisa-Marie’s a perfect stop. Of course the shop is also very popular with visitors who want to bring home Maine-made souvenirs from our beautiful state for themselves, or as gifts for friends and families.
“I love talking to customers about what to do here in the city, as well as what products they might like here in the store,” said Marie. “We are the only store in Portland where every product is 100% made in Maine. Being able to support our local economy and being party of the buy local movement fills me with a lot of pride. I love supporting our local artisans and craftsmen by providing a year-round space for their work to be seen. It’s an honor to be here every day supporting Maine creativity.”
Lisa-Marie’s Made in Maine, 35 Exchange Street, Portland. 207-828-1515, www.lisamariesmadeinmaine.com.