BIDDEFORD — In 2012, three new downtown small businesses got their start after winning the Main Street Challenge. The three challenge winners received incentive packages, including $10,000 in forgivable loans, designed to help their new businesses get off the ground.
All of the businesses are still open, and the effort was deemed so successful that the City of Biddeford, the downtown revitalization organization Heart of Biddeford, and others involved in sponsoring the challenge decided to do it again.
Last week, the winners of the Main Street Challenge Encore were announced.
From an initial pool of 17 applicants, the three winners chosen include: Stacy Cooper, who plans to open Biscuits & Company, which will serve breakfast biscuits, coffee and lunch; Mike Harris, who will open Desert Moon Leather, expanding his current home business to include a storefront in Biddeford; and Shonee Strickland, who will open Biddeford’s second micro-brewery.
Strickland, of Biddeford, said being a brewer wasn’t part of her grand plan when she was younger. About seven years ago, she started making her own home-brewed beer and then started working at the brewery at the Run of the Mill restaurant in Saco, where she is now the assistant brewer.
“As soon as I was in the brewing room for two hours, I was hooked,” said Strickland.
In addition to the micro-brewery, Strickland plans to open a tasting room where people can get a sample of her brews on site or can purchase a “growler” ”“ a reusable glass container for beer ”“ that they can take home with them.
Strickland’s business will be the second micro-brewery in Biddeford. She said she doesn’t think she’ll be competition for the Banded Horn Brewing Company, located in the Pepperell Mill Campus, which opened last year.
“A cluster of breweries attracts craft beer enthusiasts,” she said.
Even before winning the challenge, Strickland said she had planned to open a brewery, but said the challenge was helpful in motivating her to get her business plan together.
“I realized (the challenge) was a good opportunity for getting incentives,” she said. “I also knew it would help significantly in the business process.”
Also, said Strickland, “the $10,000 forgivable loan is helpful in getting the ball rolling.”
Cooper also said winning the challenge was instrumental in allowing her to open her biscuit business now.
“I have been making biscuits all my life,” said the Arundel woman. “I always wanted to have some sort of café to make biscuits and other good things.”
Cooper said she thought that wouldn’t happen for several more years. Then a friend encouraged her to apply for the Main Street Challenge.
“It really got me thinking about the business more specifically,” said Cooper.
Cooper said while she will have varied offerings, including cookies and tarts, her homemade biscuits will be the staple of her business. She noted that biscuit sandwiches are a national trend.
“I’m looking forward to bringing that to Biddeford,” said Cooper.
Cooper said she wants to support the buy local effort as well, and plans to source ingredients locally when possible ”“ like using products from the nearby Kate’s Butter. Cooper said she also plans to sell gluten-free items and offer classes and talks.
“We’re hoping to make it an experience,” she said.
Harris, of Desert Moon Leather, could not be reached for comment by press time. According to the Heart of Biddeford website, his shop will feature handmade leather goods, supplies for leather crafting and classes.
All three winners are expected to be open by June 20.
“Biddeford is a really exciting place,” said Cooper. “There’s a lot of good stuff happening.
“It’s exciting to be part of revitalizing Biddeford.”
Previous winners of the Main Street Challenge include: Dahlia’s Delights, a vegetarian restaurant; Elements: Books Coffee Beer; and Tote Road, which sells hand-carved wooden items.
— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.
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