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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 13 JA N UA R Y 1 2 , 2 0 2 6 F O C U S E C O N O M I C F O R E C A S T McVetty, a licensed Pilates instruc- tor, has been using pop-up events to introduce her new business venture to the community. She was drawn to Pilates, a low-impact form of exercise, to relieve chronic back pain and plans to keep the restaurant going as she dives into a new field. "My state of mind is getting myself comfortable with switching indus- tries," she says. McVetty says that while fitness equip- ment comes with significant upfront costs, it typically lasts about 10 years — offering greater investment flexibility than an eatery reliant on perishable food. e entrepreneur plans to run both businesses simultaneously as rising workforce turnover makes operating a restaurant more difficult and costly. "We don't have an exit strategy, but we are aware that one day we might need to," she says. Looking forward to her next chap- ter, McVetty notes that "Brunswick is a poppin' town." B R E W E R I E S / H O S P I TA L I T Y Baxter Brewing keeps fresh products pouring B y R e n e e C o r d e s A fter rolling out a slate of new beers in 2025 including its first summer ale in several years, Baxter Brewing is gearing up for more launches in coming months. "Product diversification is more challenging than ever because the consumer has never been more var- ied," says Jenn Lever, president of the Lewiston-based brewer. "Traditional beer drinkers, non- alcoholic consumers and those exploring adjacent categories are often the same person at different moments," she notes. "e challenge isn't choosing a single path but understanding how and why those choices shift and how retailers will manage their shelves differently in the changing landscape." Baxter, which employs 21 in its brewery and 25 in its pub, is ranked C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » PGC is an employee-owned construction manager, bringing owners, designers, and trade partners together to solve problems and deliver complex work safely, efficiently, and on time. We Turn Plans into Progress. 207-236-6390 PENOBSCOTGC.COM FALMOUTH • Commercial • Industrial • Institutional • Your Trusted Partner for work that has to get done right. Brunswick Location Generational Rebuild Brunswick is a poppin' town. — Michaela McVetty Sisters Gourmet Deli P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F B A X T E R B R E W I N G Jenn Lever, president of Baxter Brewing, cites concerns over rising costs combined with shifting consumer habits. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F M I C H A E L A M C V E T T Y Michaela McVetty

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