My Favorite Women-Owned Businesses in Maine
My Favorite Women-Owned Businesses in Maine
In honor of March being Women’s History Month, I always love taking a moment to recognize the women who are building businesses, creating opportunities, and making a real impact in our communities. Women-owned businesses bring so much creativity, care, and personality to the places we live, and supporting them locally is something that feels especially meaningful.
Across Maine, there are so many incredible women running shops, cafés, breweries, and creative spaces that help shape the character of our towns. These businesses become gathering places, bring new ideas to life, and make our communities feel vibrant and connected. I wanted to highlight a few favorites that are well worth visiting.
Image By: Terrarium
Terriarium
Terrarium in Portland is such a unique and welcoming space. It combines a garden center with a place to create your own terrariums, all while enjoying coffee, tea, wine, or a local craft beer. The atmosphere feels relaxed and creative, and it is easy to spend time there browsing plants or working on a little DIY project.
Owners Anna and Rob Sinnott opened Terrarium in the summer of 2022 after finding the perfect home for their idea in a beautiful old brick building in Portland. Rob has spent years working in garden centers, and Anna brings over two decades of experience in the restaurant industry as a cook, server, bartender, and event manager. Together, they created something that feels more like a community gathering space than a traditional store.
Image By: Wild Oats Bakery
Wild Oats Bakery & Café
Wild Oats Bakery & Café in Brunswick has been a community favorite for decades. It first opened in 1991 when David and Becky Shepherd set out to create a welcoming place where people could gather for good food and conversation.
Today, Wild Oats continues that tradition with a from-scratch bakery, café, and market that offers everything from homemade soups and deli salads to fresh breads, cakes, cookies, muffins, and desserts. They also offer plenty of vegan and gluten-free options, which makes it an easy stop for many different diets. The whole space has that classic neighborhood café feeling where people meet for coffee, lunch, or just a quick treat.
Image By: Lucky Pigeon
Lucky Pigeon Brewing Company
Lucky Pigeon Brewing Company in Biddeford holds a really special place in Maine’s craft beer scene. It is the state’s first dedicated gluten-free brewery, which means every beer they make is safe for people with gluten intolerance.
The brewery was founded in 2021 by Kathleen Pigeon and her wife, Bev, along with other partners. The idea came from Kathleen’s own experience after becoming gluten intolerant and realizing how few good gluten-free beer options existed. Today, Lucky Pigeon produces a lineup of thoughtful, well-crafted beers that people can enjoy on draft or take home in cans. The brewery also offers merchandise and has built a welcoming community around its taproom.
Image By: Fiore Home
Fiore Home
Fiore Home in Yarmouth is both a residential interior design firm and a beautiful retail furniture showroom. Founder Vanessa Helmick brings nearly two decades of design experience and a style that feels warm, organic, and modern.
Vanessa grew up surrounded by nature near national parks, towering sequoias, and waterfalls, and that influence continues to show up in her work today. Her design philosophy blends natural materials, texture, and comfort while keeping spaces practical and livable. Fiore Home focuses on creating complete rooms where each piece works together visually, and the showroom is a wonderful place to explore thoughtful, well-designed furniture and decor.
Image By: Bam Bam Bakery
Bam Bam Bakery
Bam Bam Bakery in Falmouth has become a favorite for anyone looking for delicious gluten-free baked goods. Owner Tina Cromwell created a bakery that is entirely gluten-free while still delivering incredible flavor and variety.
The menu includes everything from pastries and desserts to breads and savory options, with many items also available vegan or dairy-free. As someone who eats gluten-free, I always appreciate a place like Bam Bam where everything on the menu is an option, and you can enjoy the experience without thinking twice. The space itself feels calm and welcoming, making it a nice place to sit down with a coffee and enjoy something sweet.
Women-owned businesses add so much to the communities across Maine. They create spaces where people gather, share ideas, and build connections through food, design, creativity, and hospitality.
As a woman working in real estate, I truly value supporting women-owned businesses and shopping local every day. These businesses bring so much personality and energy to our neighborhoods, and I feel lucky to have so many incredible women-led businesses right here in our community.
