Sea of Cotton, a Bar Harbor women’s clothing store open since 2006, will move operations next year from Cottage Street in Bar Harbor to State Street in Bangor.
In the spring of 2015, the shop, owned by Bangor resident Joyce Mallery, will open in the storefront next door to the artsy boutique Blue Heron. The space was most recently occupied by the Bangor outpost of the Maine Democratic Party during election season.
“We’ve had a great run in Bar Harbor, and we love it there, but we’re from Bangor,” said Mallery, who has lived in the Queen City for more than 20 years. “We are really caught up in the resurgence of the downtown and we believe in the movement. It’s time to be a part of that.”
Mallery believes the clothing in her shop is similar to what was sold at the Grasshopper Shop, which closed in 2011 after more than 20 successful years in downtown Bangor because its owners chose to focus on their other businesses.
“There can never be another Grasshopper Shop, but we have a similar vibe,” said Mallery. “I believe we can fill the void that they left.”
Sea of Cotton sells women’s clothing and accessories for women of all ages and sizes, from extra small to extra-extra large. Mallery, who says she herself is a “bad shopper,” is committed to creating a welcoming atmosphere for her shoppers. It specializes in high quality fabrics, cotton sweaters, and an array of scarves, hats, bags and other accessories. Featured clothing and accessory lines include Habitat, Fresh Produce and Maine’s own Sea Bags and Chart Metalworks.
“We want our store to be a stress-free environment,” said Mallery. “We offer comfortable, colorful clothing for women of all ages, including a lot of lines that aren’t easy to find… about 70 percent of our store is U.S. made. We’re catering to the person who cares about where her clothing comes from and about quality. We want you to look good and feel good.”
Sea of Cotton is readying to open in downtown Bangor just as another downtown clothing store, Best Bib & Tucker, prepares to close after 41 years in business. Mallery believes her business will complement the growing array of shops, restaurants and bars rapidly filling once-empty storefronts in downtown. She expects to open in late March or early April 2015.
“We’re excited to move in next to Blue Heron. I think we’re very complimentary to one another,” she said. “When you own a business in a community, you are a part of that community. We want to support all the good stuff that’s happening in Bangor these days.”
Mallery has been commuting from Bangor to Bar Harbor for years now. Not having to constantly make that drive down Route 1A was also part of the decision to move, she admitted.
“We wanted to simplify our lifestyle,” she said. “Bangor is our home.”
