Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/654267
W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 35 M A R C H 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 In April 2015, Till bought the name and supplies — display coun- ters, candy molds, candy machines, packaging materials — and borrowed $24,000 for capital investment and operations, in anticipation of hav- ing enough revenue by spring 2016 to begin paying back the principal. She reopened Bayside Chocolates on June 24. e leased retail space, at 43 Water St., covers 1,000 square feet on the ground fl oor of a multi-unit building. Till's space is divided in half. e front is a display and eating area, with four tables and a dozen chairs that invite passersby in for a cup of coff ee and homemade muffi ns. As she conducted her market research, she decided she would make gourmet products free of preserva- tives, additives and artifi cial colors. Everything would be made by hand, fresh, and organic as much as possible. She would use source ingredients — peppermint oil, for example, rather than extract. And she would incor- porate what she calls "innovative and witty tastes of delectable local fl avors," such as wild blueberries, cranberries and Maine potatoes, all blended with premium chocolate. "I'm taking Bayside to the next level. I'm intent on getting our name out there," she says. Package prices retail from $2.49 for peppermint patties, two per pack; to $10.49 for a box of six "coff ee cups" — roasted ground organic coff ee combined with dulce de leche fi lling, coated with dark chocolate, topped with coff ee beans and drizzled with chocolate. Other products such as truffl es, "sticky doos," sea turtles and solid chocolates fall in between. Expanded network, branding, On the wholesale side, those fi rst months, she started with pre-existing accounts at John Edwards Market in Ellsworth; and Beech Hill Farm, a summer farmstand in Somesville. ese accounts, which Greenlaw had serviced, gave Till a chance to continue her sales with them. John Edwards is selling Till's peppermint patties and recently increased orders from once every 30 to 40 days to once every two weeks; she now produces about 60 packages of patties per order. Wholesale accounts now include Tiller & Rye in Brewer, Eat Local Eastport Co-op, Machias Hardware, Machias Marketplace, e Whiting Store, and Knock On Wood in Baring; and she's received inquiries from Sweeties It's never too early to start planning. Our parents, hard-working, small business owners involved in their community, were encouraged by Bar Harbor Trust Services to start early on their financial and estate plans. A smooth transition to the next generation has allowed family businesses to continue. Mom and Dad set a great example by working with local, knowledgeable professionals who feel like part of the family. - Dick and Steve Cough Three generations of the Cough family, owners of Atlantic Eyrie, Bar Harbor: Dick, Theresa, Belle and Andy. www.bhbt.com • 1-877-475-5399 Photo by: Chris Pinchbeck Bar Harbor Trust Services is a subsidiary of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. Investment products are not deposits or obligations of the Bank, are not FDIC insured, are not guaranteed by Bank and are subject to investment risk, including possible loss of value or principal amount invested. Supporting Development Projects From Kittery to Fort Kent Contact Nick Sabatine Contact Nick Sabatine at the idea-stage: at the idea-stage: nsabatine@ransomenv.com 207-772-2891 D e v e l o p m e D e v e l o p m e N t \ \ D u e D i l i g e D u e D i l i g e N C e \ \ e N v i r o v i r o N m e N ta l H e a lt H & S a f e t y & S a f e t y \ \ m u N i C i p a l \ \ u t i l i t y, e N e r g y & m a N u f a C t u r i N g Site Site planning Waste Water Waste Water engineering ngineering Storm Water Storm Water engineering ngineering permitting ermitting Water Supply Water Supply engineering ngineering environmental nvironmental assessments ssessments turnkey Brownfield Service urnkey Brownfield Service urnkey Brownfield Service turnkey Brownfield Service t remediation emediation geotechnical eotechnical engineering Consulting Engineers and Scientists www.RansomEnv.com C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E »