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V O L . X X X I N O. X I M AY 1 9 , 2 0 2 5 22 S M A L L B U S I N E S S F O C U S Puzzle maker reshapes business strategy Elms Puzzles, an artisanal maker of hand-cut wooden puzzles in Harrison, is also feeling the effects of tariffs even though it gets almost all of its materi- als from U.S. vendors. Sales momentum has slowed from 54% year-on-year-growth at the end of March to only a 6% bump as of the end of April, according to Chris Danner, who owns the business with his parents. He attributes the soften- ing to a decline in consumer senti- ment, especially when it comes to shelling out for a premium product that retails for $3 a piece or $3,000 for a 1,000-piece puzzle. "Elms is a wonderful example of how nuanced and complex these trade issues really are," says Danner. "Elms is 'made in America' soup to nuts, and yet we have been feeling the effects of these polices in a few different ways." at shows "how interconnected the global supply system is, even for a little puzzle company like ours." While costs have not yet risen to the point where the company feels like it needs to increase prices, Danner says that "if we see another couple of months of this, then we'll get to harder decisions." In the meantime, the company is promot- ing puzzle rentals as a less expensive alternative to buying. "People love jigsaw puzzles. I don't think that will ever change," he says. "Maybe folks are pausing before that final click at checkout, but the funda- mental demand is still there. We just need to ride this out." Similarly in Hiram, Triple Mountain sells used vintage toys in addition to new models like the Breyer ones made from cellulose acetate in China. Towle currently works with 10 consignors, including Harvest Hills Animal Shelter whose donated models are housed in a display case behind glass. She's raised $10,000 to date from those sales for the Fryeburg nonprofit. On the for-profit side of her busi- ness, Towle was still awaiting price updates from two other suppliers — one in Germany and the other in the U.S. — as this article went to press. Grateful for the "little buffer" from consignment sales, she says, "Hopefully that will give us that little Band-Aid to get through this." Renee Cordes, Mainebiz deputy editor, can be reached at rcordes @ mainebiz.biz Find a credit union near you at mainecreditunions.org It's not just your business, it's your future. Maine Credit Unions know that behind every small business is a person with big dreams. Whether you're opening your first business account, managing a growing company, purchasing equipment, or launching your next big idea, we're here to make your financial life easier. Discover the credit union difference and build a stronger future for you and your growing business. P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY Chris Danner at Elms Puzzles says that revenue growth has slowed due to weaker consumer sentiment. » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E We just need to ride this out. — Chris Danner Elms Puzzles

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