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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 21 O C T O B E R 1 6 , 2 0 2 3 F O C U S M I D C O A S T / D OW N E A S T is fall, the company began mak- ing wool lap throws, with pre-orders in response to its newsletter selling out in 48 hours. "We plan to continue producing a high-quality product in the small- batch fashion we've always used," she said. "We have long-term plans for scaling, but they don't include a dra- matic increase in production or mov- ing away from our current methods." e company is also making strides in its self-proclaimed mission of cultivating community, slowly mov- ing into producing events that focus both on craft as well as creating space for neighbors and friends to connect, like the Nov. 25 holiday market at the Hive in Bowdoinham. "We value honoring local resources, and continue to work with a neighboring grower and dyer to fea- ture limited runs of botanically dyed napkins," Crowell said. Coffee talk with Kate McAleer: Bixby Chocolate branches out into coffee Close to 12 years after starting Bixby Chocolate in Rockland, Kate McAleer is taking the company in new directions, via "bean-to-bar" chocolate production and the launch of a coffee brand called Bixenta. Mainebiz caught up with the entrepreneur to find out more. TheFirst.com/1-800-564-3195 You choose Maine. We choose you. With Merchant Services from First National Bank, your business will save 4% off your transaction fees or we'll give you $100. With local support and a team of digital commerce specialists on the ready when you need us, we're all in on you. You've built your life here, we want you to keep growing it to fit your dreams. DREAM FIRST. Ashley Benson, Innkeeper LimeRock Inn, Rockland Email DigitalCommerce@thefirst.com to start saving 4% today. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F C O A S TA L M A I N E BO TA N I C A L G A R D E N S — T RO L L S C U L P T U R E / R Ø S K VA B Y T H O M A S DA M BO $19.95 December 26, 2022 VO L . X X V I I I N O. X X X www.mainebiz.biz S P O N S O R E D B Y SP ONSORED BY C O M I N G S O O N The 2024 Mainebiz Book of Lists Who's number one? That's what the Maine business community looks for every year in the Book of Lists. Mainebiz researches companies, executives and transactions in many industries and ranks them by various factors. This comprehensive information on hundreds of companies it the ultimate tool for decision makers who are doing business in Maine. Each list can be downloaded in an Excel format, and a digital version of the entire Book of Lists includes online-only data as well as contact information for Maine companies. ORDER YOUR COP Y ONLINE NOW AT MAINEBIZ.BIZ/BOL OR ORDER A DIGI TAL LIS T TODAY AT MAINEBIZ.BIZ/LISTS 2 0 2 3 C OV E R C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » We have long- term plans for scaling, but they don't include a dramatic increase in production or moving away from our current methods. — Hilary Crowell The Cultivated Thread

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