FREEPORT – Stephanie Petkers, owner of The Wishful Moon, on School Street in Freeport, is the new marketing chairwoman for the FreeportUSA executive board.

Prior to opening her shop last summer, Petkers had spent her entire 24-year corporate career in marketing, in the elevator industry. For many of those years, she traveled the United States and Canada, meeting with customers and training salespeople. Little time was spent in Maine, Petkers said, “so when downsizing became a reality, I was actually happy to have a chance to take the leap and go for my dream of owning my own business that allowed me to use my marketing expertise to bring the work of talented Maine artisans to the public.”

Petkers, 45, has lived in Freeport for 14 years with her son, Jonathan who is now 18. She met her husband, Jon, in Freeport. He is a physical therapist at Parkview Hospital in Brunswick.

“I would not have been able to make this transition without their support,” she said.

She talked with the Tri-Town Weekly recently about Freeport’s marketing needs, especially shops on the town’s side streets.

Q: You have been named marketing chair woman for the Freeport USA executive board. What does that entail, and what special challenges do you envision?

A: Being the marketing chair means helping the organization create an annual marketing plan that will cover all bases when we work to get more people shopping and having fun in Freeport. The marketing chair works closely with the executive director to make sure we are reaching all audiences with the right message. Probably the biggest challenge is similar to all small businesses – how to maximize our small budget.

Q: What’s the role of FreeportUSA in the overall health of the Freeport business district?

A: FreeportUSA has been working to support Freeport businesses since 1977, when it was founded by some of the town’s business leaders. Their mission is to market Freeport to visitors and connect Freeport businesses with the millions of people that come here every year. They are responsible for the Freeport Map & Guide, maintaining FreeportUSA.com and purchasing advertising in a variety of publications from Boston to Canada. In addition, they organize Flavors of Freeport (their annual food event to be held Feb. 21), the Freeport Fall Festival, and the Sparkle Celebration. FreeportUSA also maintains the five kiosks located throughout town and manages the Main Street information desk that serves thousands of people each year. I’m very excited to represent small, local businesses by being active in this organization.

Q: Are business owners gearing up for spring, and how?

A: Right now, stores are still selling winter inventory at some amazing prices to make room for spring items, so there are still really great deals out there. As this is my first year in retail, I do rely on the expertise of other established businesses for guidance, such as R.D. Allen Freeport Jewelers and Earrings and Co., who have both been in business for many years. Networking in groups like the Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce is also critical in the slow season. We are finalizing our strategic plan for our first full calendar year in business. I want to keep a unique blend of artwork and gifts in stock so there is always something new for our customers to experience, and plan to attend two gift shows in March, one in Portland and one in Boston.

Q: What can be done to familiarize people with the “off-the-beaten-path” side, or the side streets, of Freeport?

A: The Freeport Map & Guide really helps with that, as well as recommendations from all the lodging and dining establishments in town. Shops on Main Street such as Cool as a Moose, Mangy Moose and Tommy Hilfiger have sent people our way and we have done the same for our fellow businesses. But, some of us would like to see something more done, maybe banners that identify the shopping districts so people are encouraged to walk around, or maybe even a campaign that is strictly focused on the theme of “off the beaten path.” I think that would be a win-win as it would encourage people to stay an extra night if they knew how much more there was to do here. More lodging, meals and shopping is good for everyone.

Q: What are people missing if they don’t patronize these businesses?

A: A lot of the businesses on the smaller side streets are owned by Mainers, who live and work right here in or near Freeport. Patronizing these side streets is a great way to support our local community, but they are also a group of fabulous shops that are filled with unique things. Plus, several restaurants are on these streets, like my neighbors, Isabella’s and the Mediterranean Grill.

Q: How are you doing at The Wishful Moon, and when did you open?

A: I opened The Wishful Moon on July 4 at the start of the summer season in a charming 1850s building on the corner of School and Middle streets, with our own parking lot. Our off-the-beaten-path location presents a small challenge attracting foot traffic, but word of mouth has helped us grow incrementally each month. We strive to listen to our customers and adapt to their requests. I place a high value on open communication and customer service and hope that is something that we become known for.

Local networking and advertising has really helped the store become an active part of the Freeport business community. We also have an active website for our out-of-town customers. We are confident that 2014 will be our year to shine.

Q: What do you offer in your shop, and what seems to be the most popular with customers?

A: We have a wide array of artisan-quality products in our store, ranging from original artwork to our most popular products, soap, candles and our own line of all-natural body products. We also carry pet products, cards, jewelry, photography, pottery, leather goods and books. There are many artists represented in our store who live in Freeport and the surrounding towns and we have held several events to promote them. We plan to do more of this going forward and we are offering our second series of art classes called “Wishful Wednesdays” starting in late February.

A CLOSER LOOK

The Wishful Moon is offering several classes that run February through April, including chocolate truffle making, leather-bead bracelets, creating a mixed-media guardian angel, hand-painting wine glasses and an open creative session for young artists. To register, call 865-4400 or come into the store at 12 School St.

“A lot of the businesses on the smaller side streets are owned by Mainers, who live and work right here in or near Freeport,” says Stephanie Petkers, owner of The Wishful Moon, who is the new marketing chairwoman for the FreeportUSA executive board.