Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 27 N OV E M B E R 2 , 2 0 2 6 Gedutis of Brooklyn Bag Co., in Brooklyn, Conn., is selling color- ful, textured handbags and other accessories, including a line she calls "cowboy chic." "My keychains sold out, those are quick and easy," she says, still with a lot more merchandise to sell before head- ing back home; like other vendors, she's stayed in a camper all week. "I'm hoping it's a very good day, and we don't have to drive four and a half hours south with a truckload," she says. Julie Littlefield, who sells wooden coasters and other small home décor ranging in price from $8 to $24, has a relatively short commute from her home in Cornish, about 20 miles away. All products are made from reclaimed wood and other sustainable materials, including parts salvaged from her own farmhouse. is was her second time vending at the Fryeburg Fair, where she and her husband split daytime selling duties, restocking along the way. "At night, when I go home, I try to make more stuff," she says. "We sold more than what we thought we would, so it was hard to keep up." Congrats Evergreen Additive! Sincere thanks to the businesses, judges, and attendees who helped us celebrate Maine entrepreneurs at our LaunchPad live pitch event. Evergreen Additive earned our $75,000 grant, and Latis Materials took home the Emerging Business Award. Thanks to all the finalists for great presentations and for representing the innovation that's thriving in Maine. SCAN TO LEARN MORE MAINE.BANK/LAUNCHPAD Left to Right: Steve deCastro (MCB), Kate McAleer (Bixby Chocolate), Peter Drown (Evergreen Additive), Peter DelGreco (Maine & Co.), Katie Grant (MCB), and Kristine Delano (Author) C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » Tadd Burkett helps run an annual coffee business at the fair. Two Jersey cows, seven-month old Jenevieve (on ground) and five-month old Send It, bond in the dairy barn. P H O T O / J I M N E U G E R P H O T O / J I M N E U G E R

• Cover