FREEPORT – The Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce hatched the idea for a May 21 Employee Appreciation Day, then Cool As A Moose and Maine Woolens helped carry it out by spreading the word and arranging for donations.

Linda Bean’s Maine Kitchen and Topside Tavern played a pretty big part, as well. Linda Bean’s provided refreshments and a place for employees of Freeport businesses to network from 7:30-9 a.m. It didn’t rain, and people appeared pleased with the opportunity to chat with others working down – or up – the street.

Frosty’s Donuts, Coffee by Design and other businesses also provided snacks, and there was even a raffle drawn.

Missy Grillo, manager of Cool As A Moose, located at 100 Main St., said it was an ideal time for such a get-together. New employee Sara Reed joined the mix.

“It’s a really long summer,” Grillo said. “The employees work really hard. They support their own businesses, but they support the town, as well.”

Candy Fontaine, manager for Maine Woolens, at 124 Main St., agreed.

“There’s a slow pickup in business after Memorial Day,” Fontaine said. “It’s not until the kids get out of school, about mid-June, that it really changes. Then, the weekend before July 4 until late August, it is just a wonderful influx of people coming and shopping.”

Michelle Barker of Bath Savings Institution had a grand old time chatting with colleague Emily Bryant and Alice Pelletier, who for 30 years has owned Mainely Hair at 13 Royal Ave.

“It’s a great morning to be standing on the sidewalk,” Barker said.

Added Pelletier: “It’s great to meet people and network.”

Sally Grover, a member of the theater group Freeport Players, also is a fixture at chamber functions.

“She is the chamber’s No. 1 volunteer,” said Executive Director Sande Updegraph. “She came here today so that I could go to work.”

Grover appeared to be having a pretty good time.

Caleb Stephens, a financial adviser for Edward Jones and a chamber board member, said the Employee Appreciation Day allows employees to “cross-pollinate” what they sell.

“It adds good will to the community,” Stephens said. “We’re only as good as the people who work for us.”

Updegraph also was anxious to spread the news that well-known business owners Tom Hincks and Christian Erdmann are the new owners of the Lobster Cooker at 39 Main St. Hincks and Erdmann, who own the Jameson Tavern, were to open the Lobster Cooker on Memorial Day weekend, Updegraph said.

Sara Reed, a new employee at Cool As A Moose, got to know other employees of Freeport businesses on Employee Appreciation Day, held May 21 in front of Linda Bean’s Maine Kitchen and Topside Tavern.  Freeport workers, from left, Mainely Hair owner Alice Pelletier, and Michelle Barker and Emily Bryant of Bath Savings Institution enjoy themselves during Employee Appreciation Day.  Enjoying snacks and conversation during Employee Appreciation Day in Freeport are, from left, Candy Fontaine of Maine Woolens, Eric Smith of L.L. Bean and Sande Updegraph of the Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce.