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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 11 A U G U S T 1 0 , 2 0 2 6 and I said, 'You know, I've got to do something different.' So I pivoted and went with the toys — something no one else was doing," she says. In general, Hall says that mer- chants try not to duplicate each other. e result? "You can come downtown and pretty much find anything you need," she says. A few doors down the street, Vinolio is a purveyor of delicacies, including imported olive oils and balsamic vinegars. Peach-flavored balsamic sells well during peach season, while Chablis is a summer favorite, says Veronica Sazera, who owns the store with her husband, Todd. e erstwhile high school sweethearts bought the business in 2021 after moving to Maine from South Florida. ey've been adding products and décor ever since. "We just keep bringing in more and more," Sazera says. e store features products that pay homage to Sazera's Italian roots, from tinned licorice imported from Sicily to hand- crafted sandwiches on bread that one customer remarks is so tasty it "shat- ters in your mouth." From locals to visitors, Sazera loves chatting with customers and can't imagine living anywhere else. "It feels like a miniature big city to me because I can get anything I need within walking distance, and I love that," she says. Like Sazera, Denis Howard at Opera House Video Rentals a couple blocks away bought his business from the previous owner. Eight years later, he recently added DVD No. 34,639 to the collection and says that sales are often weather-dependent. "e hint of a blizzard is our best strategy, but rainy summer days can also be quite successful," he quips. Back at Main Street's storied foot- wear emporium, Colby Horne credits his store's success to customer service: "Not just trying to sell you one pair of shoes. I want to sell you 10 through- out the years, and I want you to tell your friends that you had such a great experience with us that they come and visit us as well." While retail spaces are snapped up quickly, there's a unique waterfront property on the market. Made up of two adjoining brick buildings built in 1869, the structure with a striking red, white and blue façade is home to two stores, including Sea Bags. It is listed by Worth Real Estate Inc. for $1.7 million. "It's a true opportunity for rede- velopment," says Samuel Mitchell, the listing agent. dwmlaw.com | 800.727.1941 From your first hire to your next acquisition, every stage of From your first hire to your next acquisition, every stage of growth brings new opportunities and new legal challenges. growth brings new opportunities and new legal challenges. Whether you're expanding your workforce, negotiating contracts, protecting intellectual property, acquiring another business, planning for succession, or exploring employee ownership, Drummond Woodsum provides practical legal counsel that grows with your business. Your Business Won't Stay the Same. Neither Should Your Legal Strateg y. Business & Corporate Law | Employment | Litigation Mergers & Acquisitions | ESOPs | Real Estate LEARN MORE about what our team can do for you. YOUR COMPANY OUTING STARTS HERE. YOUR COMPANY OUTING STARTS HERE. START PLANNING AT EVENTS@THOMPSONSPOINTMAINE.COM START PLANNING AT EVENTS@THOMPSONSPOINTMAINE.COM