Come along with me on a getaway to Maine’s Stonewall Kitchen, where we will sample the specialty foods, tour the campus, and shop the stores!
Stonewall Kitchen
Last week I participated in a two-day blogger retreat at the Stonewall Kitchen headquarters in York, Maine. Their scenic campus is comprised of corporate offices, manufacturing spaces, a test kitchen, company store, cafe, and their most recent addition, a home store. Located just off I95, not far from the New Hampshire border, it is definitely worth a pit stop if you are driving to Maine!
Founders Jim Stott and Jonathan King started out in 1991 selling homemade jam at local farmers markets. Today Stonewall Kitchen offers a huge range of sauces, condiments, baking mixes, candles, soaps, cookware, kitchen gadgets, and more! I am sure you have all seen Stonewall Kitchen products at your local grocery store or specialty boutique. They also have Company Stores in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. But I bet you didn’t know that this international company’s headquarters are located right here in Maine!
The Retreat
I have recently started partnering with Stonewall Kitchen and was thrilled to be invited to participate in this Bloggers Retreat. I have never been to anything like this, so didn’t know what to expect. Wow, Stonewall Kitchen really went all out to create an experience that was both fun and educational! Except for me and Ann from Dabbling and Decorating, all the other participants were food bloggers. I enjoyed connecting with people who do something that is similar but also different from what I do. I learned a lot from them too!
The First Evening
When I say Stonewall Kitchen went all out, I really mean it! We met up on Thursday evening at our lodgings, the beautiful York Harbor Inn. From there, we hopped in a white stretch limo to head out to dinner. Now that’s traveling in style!!!
Old Vines Wine Bar
Dinner was at Old Vines Wine Bar in Kennebunk, Maine. Before our meal, we snacked on samplings of Stonewall Kitchen specialty foods. Those Pickled Dilly Beans are some of my favorites! I might have had a couple glasses of prosecco as I got to know my fellow bloggers!
A Day at Stonewall
The Photography Studio
We started Friday with a yummy breakfast in the Stonewall Kitchen Cafe, then headed to the photography studio. I definitely want to improve my photography skills, so I took advantage of the opportunity to learn from professionals about lighting, styling, framing, scale, cropping, and more. Stonewall Kitchen does the photography for all print mediums — including their catalogs — in house right in this studio. The equipment in the studio definitely impressed me, but the decorator in me really coveted those shelves full of props! I mean, how cute are those mini blue and white pitchers??!
Campus Tour
Next we met Stonewall Kitchen CEO John Stiker, who was our guide for the campus tour. He showed us the office spaces, the Company and Home stores, the cafe, merchandising room, and production facility. You can see what was being made on the two assembly lines when we were there!
More Food
Our tour ended at the Stonewall Test Kitchen, where in-house chef Brendan had prepared lunch for us. Everything we ate was made using a Stonewall product and it was all delicious! The salad had a dill dressing and Brendan roasted the mixed veggies and potatoes with a Stonewall herb mix. I could definitely get used to this!
Shopping
The Company Store
Post-lunch we went to do some shopping. The York Company Store is Stonewall’s biggest and, wow, was it something! So many unique products! And I loved how the store was styled. They certainly are ready for fall! And just look at that gift “basket” wall! You should definitely keep Stonewall Kitchen gift baskets in mind this holiday season or the next time you need a hostess gift. The ones that come in a cute mixing bowl and Sailbag are my favorites. I have given both of them as gifts!
The Home Store
The Stonewall Home Store opened last spring. It is such a beautiful space full of candles, soaps, pillows, baskets, and other decorative items. I was all in for their coastal Maine vibe!
What I Brought Home
Stonewall Kitchens recently acquired Michel Design Works. I was taken by the beautiful graphics and scents, so I got soap, lotion, and room fragrance in a different pattern for each of the bathrooms in the house. They are functional, but also add to the design of each space. I think I picked up a few photography tricks from our tour of the photo studio. What do you think?!
One of the food bloggers in our group had written a post recently about apple cider baked donuts. I was intrigued, so I picked up this donut pan and mix. My daughter Zoe is coming to visit this week and I can’t wait to make these with her. Seems like the perfect “fall in Maine” cooking project! I will let you know how they come out!
I also couldn’t resist this melamine tray with the lovely coastal Maine scene on it. It reminds me of home!
The Wiggly Bridge
The last evening, we went to The Wiggly Bridge distillery in York for a tour, happy hour, and dinner. The Wiggly Bridge produces small-batch craft spirits. I always love to hear the stories of small Maine businesses like The Wiggly Bridge! We sampled some 140-proof bourbon right out of the barrel. That sure put some hair on my chest!
Brendan from Stonewall Kitchen prepared us another delicious meal for dinner. A special signature cocktail made with The Wiggly Bridge spirits accompanied each course. It was the perfect end to a truly amazing getaway!
Home Again Home Again
The next morning after bidding farewell to my new friends and stopping at Trader Joe’s in Portland to stock up, I headed home. It was great to get away, but it is always wonderful to come home.
Thank you, Stonewall Kitchen, for including me in this wonderful event!
You can Shop the Post below for some of my favorite Stonewall Kitchen items!
Be sure to read my friend Ann’s blog post “Inside with Stonewall Kitchen | What Happens on a Bloggers Retreat?”! She shares some fun stories from the retreat that I did not!
I would love to have you come Out and About in Maine with me some more! Check out my blog posts:
Wild About (Wild) Maine Blueberries!
The Best Little Lobster Shack in Maine
Simple & Fresh Cooking With Summer’s Farmers Market Bounty
Until next time!
SHOP THE POST
I am sharing links below to some items related to this post. If an item was purchased locally, is no longer available, or is one-of-a-kind, I have suggested something similar. Keep in mind that since I have not actually seen those items, I cannot personally vouch for them. If you purchase through these links, it won’t change your price, but I will receive some compensation. I hope you enjoy this easy way to bring a little Maine style into your home!
Loved this Molly. We had such a nice time. I’m still thinking about it🫶🏼🤗
It was so fun! Stonewall Kitchen put together such a great retreat!
Can’t wait to get cookin those apple cider donuts! See you this afternoon!!
So excited to have you here! Safe travels!
Sounds like a wonderful time.
It was such a fun time! Stonewall Kitchen did a great job with all the activities!
Molly
This sounds like a wonderful store.
Oh, you would love it so much, Rachel! You should check out their website!
I’m so glad you’ve started a blog. I love reading about your experiences in the beautiful state of Maine. Stonewall Kitchen will definitely be on my list to visit if I ever get to Maine. Until then I’ll just have to shop from a distance. Great gift ideas and your photography skills are 💯
Thanks so much for all your love and support, Julie! I am glad you are enjoying my blog! The Stonewall Kitchen website is great. And you can probably find a store near you that carries some of their merchandise!
Molly, what a fun trip! Love Stonewall Kitchen and learning all of the little tidbits about it. The prop room is amazing!
It was all so fun, Elizabeth! And yes, that prop wall was really something!
Everything looks so amazingly thoughtful out! Im glad you had first class treatment. It’s nice to learn something and have a great time doing so. Love the tray. It looks so much like your property.
Hi Nori! We had such a fun time! Thanks for stopping by!
Glad you enjoyed it. They are an anchor of the seacoast! I first met them at the Portsmouth farmer’s market years ago where they smartly had tasting samples. They won over everyone! Mango Lime salsa is my favorite.
Wow, you have been with them since the very start! They have so many taste treats! It was so special to be wined, dined, and bourboned by them!
Wow what an experience you had at the stone wall kitchen retreat! Such a great opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills and get to eat yummy food and signature drinks! Stone wall kitchen is one of my favorite brands and I was so happy to be taken along on your weekend – and hear Ann’s take too!
Next time you are here, we will have to visit the store in York! Or at least you should stop on your way if you are driving!
Molly, what fun and such a thrill to visit Stonewalll. Looks like you enjoyed yourself surrounded by so much inspiration … and yummy food. I’m a fan of Stonewall and find their jams in our local specialty grocery. I love their dark chocolate, sea salt and caramel sauce. Thanks for sharing, I had no idea they were located in Maine. xo
It was such a fun couple days, Juliet! It is remarkable that a worldwide company like Stonewall is located right here in Maine! Thanks for stopping by!