News Release Details

Retailer to Showcase 10 Maine-based Makers as Part of West Elm LOCAL Program

West Elm announced today that its first store in Maine, located at 164 Middle Street in the historic Old Port district of Portland, will open Thursday, July 27 at 10 a.m. The 12,000 sq. ft. location will bring approximately 30 jobs to the area. With a commitment to building community, West Elm will sell an assortment of local products highlighting 10 Maine-based makers and designers alongside the store’s fall assortment. Additionally, West Elm Portland will offer Style + Service, West Elm’s design consultation program which offers customers design, installation and registry services to support customers in their journey to express their personal style at home.

“When we were considering our first store location in Maine, we were drawn to Portland’s commitment to revitalizing its historic warehouse district of Old Port,” said West Elm president Alex Bellos. “We want to help support Old Port’s local economy of small businesses, artists, galleries and shops by building community and celebrating its storied past as Portland’s commercial district.”

A selection of locally made products by 10 Maine-based makers and artisans will be a part of West Elm Portland’s LOCAL assortment including:

• Elizabeth Benotti: Porcelain decorative and tabletop ceramics handmade in Eliot, ME
• Fiber and Water: Home decor and natural burlap art from South Portland, ME
• GKS Furniture Maker: Mid-century modern furniture handcrafted in Portland, ME
• Hearth and Harrow: Nature-inspired, eco-friendly home textiles designed in Rockport, ME
• Maineland Design Co.: Whimsical home decor goods produced in South Portland, ME
• More & Co.: Local Maine store with a variety of unique products including clothing and tabletop accessories in Portland, ME
• Portland General Store: Handcrafted toiletries and fragrances crafted in Portland, ME
• Port Living Co.: Kitchen and home products crafted with concrete from Biddeford, ME
• Weft & Warp: Handmade chef’s aprons, waxed canvas knife rolls and accessories from New Gloucester, ME
• Katharine Watson: Hand printed greeting cards made in Portland, ME

The Portland peninsula has a long history as a commercial center for trade by both land and sea due to its location. West Elm Portland honors this industrial history by incorporating design elements that reference both the port and the railroad. Dozens of salvaged railroad ties arranged in a lattice-like grid cover the front of the cash wrap, paying homage to the trains that sped through Portland throughout the 19^th and 20^th centuries. In a nod to the area’s bustling waterfront and maritime past, a sculptural arrangement of woven rope hangs prominently behind the cash register.

Portland residents are invited to enter the West Elm + Portland Magazine sweepstakes for a chance to win a $2,000 West Elm gift card and a 1-year subscription to Portland Magazine*. On Wednesday, July 26, West Elm and Portland Magazine will co-host a pre-opening celebration and invite community members to join from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. A portion of the night’s proceeds will benefit Creative Portland, the city’s official local arts agency that works to leverage, grow, and sustain Portland’s creative industries, enterprises, and workforce. For opening day on Thursday, July 27, West Elm will partner with Portland-based company, More & Co to design a limited edition tote bag presented to the first 300 shoppers with a $50 minimum purchase.

For up-to-date information on in-store promotions and events, customers are encouraged to “like” the West Elm Portland store on Facebook: www.facebook.com/westelmportlandme/ and follow the store on Instagram: @westelmportlandme. West Elm Portland will be open Monday - Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m, Friday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. and Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. The store’s address is 164 Middle Street Unit 1, Portland, ME 04101 and the phone number is (207) 535-2953. Applicants interested in joining the West Elm Portland team are encouraged to email WestElmStores@wsgc.com.

*Open only to residents that live within the Portland, ME area. Official rules of the sweepstakes can be found on the Portland Sweepstakes page.

About West Elm

Headquartered in Brooklyn, NY since 2002, West Elm opened its first store in DUMBO, the neighborhood it still proudly calls home. With a mission of harnessing the power of design and human connection to enrich lives, everything West Elm does is designed to make an impact in everyday life, from creating unique, affordable designs for modern living and commitment to Fair Trade Certified, from LOCAL and handcrafted products to community-driven collaborations and events. The brand operates 100 retail stores in the United States, Australia, Canada and the UK, ships internationally to customers around the world and operates stores in Mexico, the Middle East and Philippines through unaffiliated franchisees. In addition to home furnishings retail, West Elm operates West Elm Workspace in the commercial furnishings industry and announced its expansion into the travel and hospitality industry with the launch of West Elm Hotels. West Elm publishes the blog Front+Main and is part of an active community on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube. West Elm is a member of the Williams-Sonoma, Inc. portfolio of brands.