Supporting Midcoast communities on Small Business Saturday | Column
Small Business Saturday in Maine’s Mid‑Coast Brings New and Established Shops Together
Saturday, Nov. 28, 2026 – Bath, Maine
Maine’s Mid‑Coast communities are gearing up to celebrate the nation’s annual Small Business Saturday on Saturday, November 28. The event, which was first launched by American Express in 2010 and later backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, is designed to encourage shoppers to support locally owned retailers during the busy holiday season.
The day follows Black Friday and Cyber Monday, offering a chance for family‑owned shops to compete with larger chains by attracting holiday customers who want to buy unique, community‑grown products. Local officials say the tradition has become an important part of the region’s holiday culture, drawing residents to downtown districts and keeping money circulating within the area.
In Bath’s bustling downtown, residents and visitors will find a variety of family‑owned businesses ready to showcase their products. The newly opened Pink Parlor Studios at 92 Oak Street offers a range of dance classes for adults, adding a fresh cultural option to the town’s offerings. Meanwhile, the historic area of Downtown Bath continues to be a hub for one‑of‑a‑kind gifts and experiences.
Topsham is also seeing a surge of new storefronts. Knead & Nosh, which recently transitioned from a pop‑up restaurant to a brick‑and‑mortar location at 4 Bowdoin Mill Island, has earned several award titles for its bagels. The same block is now home to Morning Moose, a specialty coffee shop that moved from a food truck to a permanent space at 11 Main Street, where patrons can enjoy coffee and mini donuts.
Dresden, a town in Lincoln County, hosts the Dresden Coffee & Gallery on Gardiner Road. The Polish‑styled café serves coffee and baked goods made from locally sourced ingredients and doubles as a gallery for local artists, offering a cozy place to pause while shoppers look for holiday gifts.
Little City Vintage, located at 4 Centre Street in downtown Bath, has recently joined the array of boutique shops. The store sells clothing, artwork, furniture, and more, giving shoppers a chance to find unique holiday presents while supporting a new local business.
Bay Bowls of Bath has recently come under new ownership. The franchise is expected to continue offering its popular fruit bowls and smoothies throughout the year, ensuring that regular customers can still enjoy the menu they love.
Sen. Denise Tepler, who represents Maine Senate District 24—Sagadahoc County and Dresden—has highlighted the importance of Small Business Saturday for the region. “These shops, restaurants and studios are the backbone of our communities,” Tepler said. “Supporting them means they can, in turn, support us.”
The day will also feature a range of meals from local cafés, delis, and restaurants, giving shoppers an opportunity to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner while they shop.
Shoppers looking to take advantage of the event can find more information or contact the district office by email at [email protected] or by phone at 207‑287‑1515.
For more details about the event schedule, participating businesses, and how to get involved, residents can visit the district’s website or local news outlets.
