The Good Supply’s recognizable barn exterior. (Photo courtesy Christina Wnek)
The seventh season for The Good Supply in Pemaquid brought statewide recognition from the Maine Office of Tourism and State 23 Media Group.
The burgeoning Lincoln County-based business is housed in a historic post-and-beam barn that is filled with an original collection of housewares and gifts handmade by 91 artists from across the state of Maine. Leading with the core values of creativity and integrity, The Good Supply has become a recognized ambassador for the region.
The Good Supply got its start with a call to artisans in 2012, and developed slowly, restoring its old barn and adding more artists every season to diversify the collection in regard to materials used, price point, function, the demographic of gift recipients, and variety of gifting occasions. The effort favored Maine artisans, the handmade, and innovative use of materials.
Jenna Howard of Briggs Advertising in Bath — best-known for its branding work with Cold River Vodka and Gifford’s Ice Cream — first discovered The Good Supply in relationship with Maine Office of Tourism partner organization CD&M Communications in Portland.
Howard went to task inviting journalists and filmmakers to visit The Good Supply to learn more about its ethos and magic. At the end of the process, Howard told The Good Supply founder Catherine McLetchie, “I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to inspire (the media creators) and for being such an incredible ambassador for the region!” View the new press page on The Good Supply’s website, the goodsupply.org, to see what these writers have to say, and stay tuned in spring 2020 when the Maine Office of Tourism will launch a video series that highlights The Good Supply among Odd Alewives Farm Brewery and more.
Attention also came from State 23 Media Group, which purchased Maine, Old Port, and Maine Home + Design magazines in 2018. Maine Home + Design Associate Editor Emma Simard featured The Good Supply in a five-page “Shop Talk” feature in the October 2019 issue of Maine Home + Design, identifying the Pemaquid business as “the future of artisan markets.”
Perhaps Simard explained it best when she wrote, “What started in McLetchie’s backyard seven years ago has grown into an artist community that’s reflective of Maine and the spirit of those who live here. It’s inclusive, enthusiastic, and humble, just like its founder. McLetchie feels lucky to work in an inspirational setting with so many other like-minded individuals while instilling creativity as a community value.”
The Good Supply, located at 2106 Bristol Road in Pemaquid (Bristol), is currently celebrating a quiet fall season, with sights on Small Business Saturday on Nov. 30, when it will celebrate with the public and kick off the holiday season. Call 607-3121 for more information.
