Coastal Cottage Living Courtesy of Maine Cottage

In tribute to the Little Engine that Tried and Thought It Could but.......

Like so many other companies that tried to weather the storm of the economic downturn of 2008-2009 Maine Cottage could no longer stay the course and succumbed to an economy that continues to struggle.  What is left behind once the doors are closed are a multitude of issues that, to say the least,  are mostly unpleasant.  Business closures affect so many people in a variety of ways and my hope is that once the dust settles that Maine Cottage will be able to at least close the doors with dignity intact.

Maine Cottage was started by Peter and Carol Bass in 1988.  The company was headquartered in Yarmouth, Maine and was known for their painted furniture and vibrant colors.

The company left it's wholesale roots and branched out into a retail operation opening it's first store in Yarmouth, Maine and eventually 2 others - one in Charleston, SC and West Palm Beach, FL bringing the total retail operation to 3.

Walk into a Maine Cottage store and you will never want to leave.  That's a quote from a majority of the people that walked through the doors.  Alive with color you couldn't help but feel an automatic sense of renewel like drinking an ice cold glass of water after a 10 mile hike in the Mohave dessert!  You could almost call it a spiritual event!  .

The Look of Driftwood
Ogden Ivory Washed Oak Dresser with Mirror,
 3 Drawer Chest, Bay Bench and Island Bed

Unlike so many other furniture companies in the US their showrooms were full of American made products.  Every wood piece was custom made in the northeast and the upholstery was manufactured in South Carolina.  They supported local artists, small business's and women in business by purchasing their products for retail sale.  They were an American company supporting American products and manufacturing.


Dermond Peterson Pillows
A woman owned business

  

Artwork: Carol Bass, Lamp: Jill Rosenwald
Pillow: Pablo Mekis




Mariposa Sanddollar Bowl

   


Schoolie Glasses and 
Teardrop Lamp by Jill Rosenwald

 

Pablo Mekis Hand Embroidered Pillows
Made in the USA


 

Artichoke Lamps made from Paper Mache

In closing I can only hope that this unfortunate ending is not a final one and that somehow, somewhere, someone will come forward and save this wonderful little treasure of a company.