BATH

Several new businesses are moving in while others are expanding in “NoFro.”

The northern section of Front Street is getting a new toy store back to replace the one that’s leaving while three other downtown businesses are in the process of relocating or expanding.

Mariner’s Compass Quilt Shop moved its workshop and classes from the south to the north side of the street; Island Treasure Toys is moving into 182 Front St.; and Lisa Marie’s Made in Maine will move into the space at 176 Front St. vacated by Wags & Whiskers.

Wags & Whiskers — described as a “destination” retailer that attracts customers seeking natural and holistic pet foods — is moving into 180 Front St., the former home of Papa Geppetto’s Toys.

Owners Regan Reed and Sarah St. Pierre have operated the pet store at 176 Front St., for more than two years, and said they are anxious to expand.

That’s a lot of new energy in an area located near a major downtown hotel, the Hampton Inn. The buildings are owned by Jane Morse, of nearby Sagadahock Real Estate Association.

As soon as Papa Geppetto’s announced it was leaving, Reed and St. Pierre were on it.

“I called Jane and asked her if we could have first refusal on the space,” Reed said, “and she obliged. We’ll have 480 more square feet there — a third bigger.”

“We are definitely out of room in the space that we have in our current building,” Reed said. “We want to add more dog and cat food lines, and stuff for smaller animals.”

Reed and St. Pierre have put up new drywall and plan to have new flooring in by next weekend, with an eye toward a Feb. 19 opening.

Morse, a member of Main Street Bath’s Economic Restructuring Committee, shares Reed’s enthusiasm.

“We’re really enthused about the stores that we have on that section of Front Street,” she said. “The Quilt Shop is also a destination. It’s a great block.”

MARINER’S COMPASS QUILT SHOP

In downtown Bath since 2002, Mariner’s Compass features a classroom and longarm quilting machines in addition to its fabrics and tools.

The new space, which became available in early January, accommodates the workshop. The retail shop remains at the south side of the building.

“We’re really excited about all this,” owner Amanda Campbell said. “We did it as part of what’s all happening down here. It made more sense for my workshop to be on the other side of the street.”

ISLAND TREASURE TOYS

The downtown won’t be without a toy store for long.

Anita and Jim Demetropoulos, owners of Island Treasure Toys, plan to open their third store, at 182 Front St., by May 1.

Like Reed and St. Pierre, the Demetropouloses jumped at the chance to open a store in Bath, when they heard Papa Geppetto’s was leaving.

“As soon as we heard there was space available, my husband and I went up to see the location, and we fell in love with the city,” Anita Demetropoulos said.

Island Treasure Toys also has locations at 20 Bow St. in Freeport and 805 U.S. Route 1 in Yarmouth.

The business specializes in natural and Waldorf-inspired toys.

P.D. Wappler will manage the Bath store.

LISA-MARIE’S MADE IN MAINE

Lisa-Marie’s Made in Maine will expand into the storefront at 176 Front St. in order to adding more hand-built Maine furniture such as small tables and chairs.

Lisa-Marie Stewart and her husband, Andrew, plan to have this new addition open around April 1

So successful has Lisa- Marie’s Made in Maine been in downtown Bath, this is its fourth expansion since opening in 2003. Lisa-Marie’s carries products from more than 150 local artists and crafters.

Lisa-Marie has been involved in promoting Madein Maine products since 1990.

She began in a Brunswick called Stone Soup Artisans. Soon she was on the management team there and became a member of the Society of Southern Maine Craftsmen as well as United Maine Craftsmen.

lgrard@timesrecord.com