Maine Cottage

Maine Cottage Furniture headquarters and company store in Yarmouth, Maine

Maine Cottage was a Maine-based furniture company in the United States with stores in Maine, South Carolina and Florida. The company folded in March 2011.

Company history

The company was founded in a restored cannery on the Royal River in 1988 by Peter Bass, great grandson of Wilton, Maine shoe maker G.H. Bass,^[1] and artist Carol Bass. Maine Cottage was headquartered in Yarmouth, Maine.

Maine Cottage was the first company to offer American Country, Shaker, and Mid Century Modern-inspired painted wood furniture in 40 colors. The idea originated with artist Carol Bass painting and selling "found" pieces. The company then began to design and paint its own line. Since then the company has expanded to include its own wicker and upholstery finished in 200 fabrics. Maine Cottage furniture was principally manufactured in the United States.

Closure

In March 2011, the company went into foreclosure and its stores closed suddenly.^[2] Complaints have been raised by customers as the company stopped answering phones and closed its website. According to consumer reports, a number of orders remained unfulfilled.^[3] As of April 6, 2011 there was no knowledge of the company reopening again.

Maryland-based Russell & Mackenna, Inc. purchased the intellectual property and certain assets of Maine Cottage, Inc. on April 10, 2011. Included in the purchase were all registered trademarks and copyrights, including copyrights to fabric designs and case good furniture designs, as well as domain names owned by Maine Cottage, Inc.^[4]

References

1. ^ [ISBN 9780738563961 Sleeper, Frank (1997), Farmington, Wilton, Kingfield, and Sugarloaf, Arcadia Publishing]. ISBN 9780738563961. 
2. ^ "The mysterious closure of Maine Cottage stores". http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/malled/2011/03/09/the-mysterious-closure-of-maine-cottage-stores. 
3. ^ "Maine Cottage furniture store closed". http://www.wgme.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wgme_vid_7223.shtml. 
4. ^ "Russell & Mackenna acquires Maine Cottage brand". http://www.russellmackenna.com/press/press-release.