The finer things in life – from antiques to art to just sprucing up one’s appearance – are in the offing through new businesses setting up shop in Freeport.
Businesses are “popping up all over the place,” said Carolyn Krahn, member services director for the Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a very good sign for Freeport.”
At 304 U.S. Route 1, about two miles south of town, entrepreneurs Nick and Amanda Kent will open Maine Wicked Goods Mercantile in about two weeks. A takeoff on the Maine Wicked Goods cart that had operated for some time at the Maine Mall, the store will feature Maine-made antiques, crafts, gift items and more.
Back in town on Maple Street, Kit Munroe-Myers will open 18 Maple on Sunday, June 7. Munroe-Myers, an artist, will host art classes with a nice finishing touch – a glass of red wine or a cup of locally roasted coffee.
Two new salons – both with the same roots – also are opening. Lolita Kenney recently has opened the Cutting Edge Salon at 21 Main St., in the back of the yellow building occupied by When Pigs Fly. On Tuesday, Jennifer Greenwood opened the Freeport Salon at 32 Independence Drive. Both Kenney and Greenwood once worked at Salon Freeport for Jacklyn Nadeau, who closed that School Street shop last weekend.
There’s also another way to get around town these days. Lori Bell has added Freeport to the service area for Fore Cities Taxi, which also has service in Brunswick, Topsham, North Yarmouth, Yarmouth and Falmouth.
The Kents are owners of the Portland Dine Around Club, a guide filled with coupons. The Portland couple have given up their Maine Wicked Goods cart at the Maine Mall, for the time being at least, and are concentrating on an ambitious undertaking in Freeport. Maine Wicked Goods Mercantile will be located not far from Pillars Antiques, the Antique Emporium and Great Stuff.
“We think that the more antique stores that you have together, the better it is,” Amanda Kent said. “We really want to make this an antiques trail. We’ll have all the lobster trap rockers on the front porch, along with wickers, and other outdoor items.”
Inside, the Kents will sell fine antique furniture, rugs and gift items.
“We’ll have a wide variety of traditional to painted,” Amanda Kent said. “It will be Maine arts and crafts, and homemade items. We want to sell wedding presents – gift baskets and more. We’ll have specialty food and gifts, jams and jellies.”
Maine Wicked Goods Mercantile, located right next to Freeport Ski & Bike, will be open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11-5 on Sunday.
Munroe-Myers, who comes to Freeport by way of Waterville, is trying something a little different at her classic old home on Maple Street. Chris Reed of Portland, who has an art degree from Bowdoin College, is one of three people who will be teaching art lessons at 18 Maple. Each class will last two hours, 15 minutes for a fee of $45. Materials needed to complete a 16-by-20-inch acrylic painting are included.
Munroe-Myers, who attended the former Portland School of Art, will manage a retail room of gifts and art, while her instructors teach the classes.
“I decided I would start something that I have the most experience with, and the most passion about, and that is art,” she said. “People will be led step-by-step through the whole process of the acrylic painting. The goal is for people to learn, and a big piece is also for people to have fun.”
Munroe-Myers also is planning to host fine arts workshops.
Hours at 18 Maple are 10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. for the shop, Wednesday through Saturday, and 10:30-3:30 Sunday. For more information, go to the 18 Maple Facebook page, or call Munroe-Myers at 660-5634.
Kenney, who once worked for Nadeau at Salon Freeport, said she prefers a downtown location, so she leased the space once occupied by the Michael Taylor Hair Studio, which closed in March, for Cutting Edge Salon. Her daughter, Cassandra Kenney, a recent graduate of Spa Tech Institute of Westbrook, will do nails on weekends, by appointment.
“I’m loving it,” Kenney said of her business so far. “I am able to do walk-ins. I do nails, as well, but on Saturday when it’s busy, I want to be able to help her out and help me out. It’s a perfect opportunity.”
Cutting Edge Salon is open for business from 9-5, six days a week, or by appointment.
“You have to make yourself available for when people are leaving work,” Kenney said.
When Greenwood learned that Nadeau was selling the Salon Freeport building at 13 School St., she decided to open her own salon, just reversing the words to “Freeport Salon.” Nadeau will go with her. Greenwood said she will employ three people in all, with a fourth to come soon, and possibly a fifth.
Greenwood has been with Nadeau since she opened Salon Freeport 10 years ago.
“We just looked for another place in Freeport and found this great space,” Greenwood said. “It’s a great location. We’re going to be right across from the L.L. Bean corporate offices. Everybody’s excited.”
The Freeport Salon is open 9-7 Tuesday through Thursday, and 9-5 on Friday and Saturday.
Fore City Taxi has been available in Freeport since December, and owner Lori Bell is waiting for the service to catch on. But, she said, she has enjoyed great cooperation from the Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce.
“The chamber has been very friendly,” she said.
Lolita Kenney who has been in the hairdressing business for 30 years, opened Cutting Edge Salon four weeks ago in back of When Pigs Fly, at 21 Main St. in Freeport. Staff photos by Larry Grard
Nick Kent stands in back of his antique Atwater Kent radio, which may be for sale when Maine Wicked Goods Mercantile opens at 304 U.S. Route 1 in Freeport in mid-June.
Jennifer Greenwood works on a customer’s hair at Salon Freeport on School Street. Greenwood opened her own business, the Freeport Salon, at 32 Independence Drive on Tuesday.
Kit Munroe-Myers begins offering art classes, with complimentary wine or locally roasted coffee, at 18 Maple in Freeport on Sunday, June 7. Courtesy photos
Send questions/comments to the editors.
