“What we’re building here is so much more than a gift shop,” said Mary Plummer, who opened her new store, Maine Micro Artisans, on June 27. “I always had a sense that I was supposed to create something,” said Plummer. At the beginning of the pandemic, with her three children schooling remotely, she decided to try making soap as a way of finding time for herself amidst the craziness. Immediately, she found this craft to be deeply fulfilling and thought soap making was exactly what she was supposed to create.

After years of selling her artisan soap online, Plummer began looking for a retail space that could become the face of her soap business. Having secured the perfect spot, Plummer began to imagine an even bigger purpose and on April 28, the idea of Maine Micro Artisans was born.

While there are more than seventy local Maine artists’ work displayed and for sale at Maine Micro Artisans, the reasons for bringing this space to life comes from a deeper purpose. “Growing a community where all people are accepted and appreciated is paramount. Trying to be an island is challenging, so bringing other artists into the fold as a collaborative venture, on many levels, is important to my mission,” said Plummer.

Being a micro retail shop was also purposeful. “For some of these artists, this helps them make ends meet every month, for others it’s a step towards their goal of being a full-time artist, and for others, their art helps them get their voices heard,” Plummer said. The hope is for everyone to succeed—perhaps a rising tide does lift all boats.

Patricia Krohn, a long-time social worker, feeling that people in her line of work benefit from a creative outlet, started ‘dot painting’ as a means of meditation. According to Krohn, having her work at Maine Micro Artisans is both flattering and validating. “Walking around in Maine Micro Artisans feels like a feast of creation. I am grateful to be part of it,” said Krohn.

In addition to selling goods, Plummer intends to have enrichment classes on site, ‘Meet the Artist’ days, and live how-to videos that will cover a variety of topics, just to name of few. “It has been a whirlwind. I could not have done this without the support of so many people—especially my amazing kids and my wonderfully talented husband, Mike,” said Plummer. With a smile on her face, she said, “This is what I am supposed to do—that calling to create something—this is it and now it’s happening.”

Stop by and visit Maine Micro Artisans located at 18 South Street, right beside Amato’s, and support your local friends and family and plan to stay a while, there is so much to see!

FMI: Maine Micro Artisans, 18 South Street, Gorham, ME 04038, 207-222- 0303, info@mainemicroartisans.com. Store hours are Sunday through Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.