Photo / courtesy of Hot Suppa
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The SBA works with banks and small businesses around Maine
Photo / courtesy of Hot Suppa
Hot Suppa owners Amber Nachreiner and her partner, Cameron Rodrigues.
By SBA Staff
The Small Business Administration is active in facilitating small business loans throughout Maine. It works with banks on terms that will work for small business owners. Here are a few examples of how the SBA works with banks and business owners in Maine.
Hot Suppa offers that and more
When Amber Nachreiner and her partner, Cameron Rodrigues, set out to purchase Hot Suppa, they weren’t just acquiring a restaurant — they were inheriting a Portland institution.
Housed in an 1860s Victorian on Congress Street, Hot Suppa has been a beloved destination for southern comfort food since 2006, thanks to founders Alec and Moses Sabina.
Both Amber and Cameron brought years of restaurant experience to the table — Nachreiner as a longtime Hot Suppa staff member, and Rodrigues as a seasoned bartender and kitchen trainee under Moses Sabina. Determined to honor the restaurant’s legacy, they reached out early to Maine SBDC for guidance.
Enter Chris Cole, a senior business advisor with deep roots in the restaurant industry and a reputation for empowering her clients.
“Chris was empowering with her words, but also gracious and brilliant,” Nachreiner said. Chris’s expertise proved invaluable as she guided them through LLC formation, licensing, landlord negotiations, and finalizing the purchase.
Financing was a significant challenge in a tough lending climate, but with Chris’s help, Amber and Cameron secured an SBA 7(a) loan through Bangor Savings Bank and additional working capital, ensuring a smooth transition and a strong start for their new venture.
Now operating as Camber Hospitality LLC, Nachreiner and Rodrigues are committed to preserving Hot Suppa’s scratch-made menu, cozy booths and welcoming atmosphere. Their thoughtful stewardship and public commitment to keeping the vibe intact have reassured loyal customers and reinforced their respect for the restaurant’s heritage.
With support from the SBA, a dedicated team of local bankers and the expert guidance of Chris Cole, Nachreiner and Rodrigues are leading Hot Suppa confidently into its next chapter.
An Aroostook County supermarket is a lifeline for residents
For Mainers, and especially those who live in Aroostook County, two of the most important things about living here are community and continuity.
Photo / courtesy of Graves supermarket
Graves Supermarket in Mars Hill has been around 90 years, but it was through an SBA loan from Machias Savings Bank that it was able to change hands in 2024
As a business that has been in operation since 1935, Graves Supermarket in Presque Isle provides both. Originally founded as Red and White Supermarket in Mars Hill, the Graves family moved the business to Presque Isle where it has operated as an independent grocery store for decades and carries products under the Hannaford brand.
As the supermarket started approaching its 90th year of operation and having weathered the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Graves family looked for ways to secure the future of the business and retain a fixture of their community as they aged out of business ownership. It was at this point that Brandon Hopkins stepped in to purchase the supermarket from the children of the founder in January 2022. Recognizing the need to assure customers that they would see the same quality of service and products, Brandon retained the name Graves Supermarket, and with the assistance of an SBA loan from Machias Savings Bank in 2024, the change in ownership was fully financed and completed.
Through the use of the SBA Loan Guaranty program, this business was able to transition to new ownership and solidify a future in Aroostook County. Even with all of the challenges faced by businesses in the past few years, Brandon and his team have developed strategies to adapt as these challenges come up by using his experiences as an Army veteran. The major challenge recently has been finding and retaining enough employees, as despite employing 55 to 60 local residents on a monthly basis, the store could always use more hands to help stock shelves and assist customers.
As he continues to build on the foundation laid by the Graves family, Brandon also recognizes the importance of supporting the community as a small business owner. Whether it is by donating food platters and products like hot dogs for fundraisers, or supporting Aroostook House of Comfort, the local hospice organization, Brandon sees himself and his business as an integral part of the Aroostook community.
In taking on the legacy of an established business with nearly a century of history in a part of the state that can be skeptical of change, Brandon had the challenge of preserving that legacy while charting his own path. However, with the financing provided by the SBA’s loan programs he was able to secure the financial health of the business and focus on building the relationships that would help him grow the business and become recognized as part of the community despite being from away himself.
Photo / courtesy of Edelweiss
Edelweiss is a Swiss-style bakery in Biddeford.
Swiss-style bakery in Biddeford
Edelweiss Pastry Shop is a Swiss-style bakery in the heart of Biddeford with an assortment of pastries, desserts and local coffee.
Nearly two decades ago, Valentina and Alex Weissenfluh began their bakery journey in Switzerland, and after years of working in Portland, Valentina as a baker, and Alex as a pastry chef, they finally realized their dream to open their own shop.
In Biddeford, construction delays pushed their start date from November, but they finally opened for business in January 2024 with an SBA guaranteed loan through Kennebunk Savings Bank.
Their journey started with a comprehensive business plan, a good location in Biddeford and significant experience. Unfortunately, they were met with several challenging events. Leasehold renovations originally slated for completion in November weren’t completed until late January. After the shop opened, the landlord leased an adjacent space to a café placing a direct competitor in close proximity, which likely reduced sales. Then the city of Biddeford initiated a major sewer line replacement and repaving project, making access to the shop difficult, having an immediate impact on the business.
Through these challenges, the Edelweiss Pastry Shop has been able to not only survive but grow and achieve profitability. Valentina and Alex learned the importance of adapting their offerings to better serve their customers while remaining true to their vision of quality. They’ve optimized their service, ensuring quick and efficient options for weekday commuters, and offer an expanded selection on weekends for customers who prefer a more leisurely experience.
SCORE mentor Bill Webster walked them through the needed steps to start a successful business. He helped them polish their business plan and critical financial projections, and even brought in a SCORE subject matter expert to assist with marketing and help reduce expenses. With the combination of SCORE assistance and an SBA guaranteed loan, Edelweiss Pastry Shop has not only survived a host of challenges, but has flourished.
Guilded Makers supports other small businesses
For many people trying to break into the design and fashion industry, the challenges of finding the right connections, sourcing materials, breaking into new markets, and developing new products can be critical barriers.
Photo / courtesy of Rachel Battarbee
Rachel Battarbee, founder of Guided Makers
With years of experience working with large national brands like L.L.Bean, Marks & Spencer and Timberland, Rachel Battarbee saw an opportunity to support small businesses and startups and decided to launch Guided Makers.
Since launching in 2019, Guided Makers has been working with small businesses in Maine and beyond to help them start their own brands and develop prototype designs. Recognizing her own need for guidance, Rachel reached out to the strong network of SBA Resource Partners in Maine as she became established.
A SCORE mentor was able to provide insight into financial planning and Ruth Feldman at the Women’s Business Center helped Rachel develop her business strategy, making sure she stayed on track with her goals and plan for the business. In 2023, Rachel also participated in the SBA’s THRIVE program, which is designed to help small businesses plan for sustained and significant growth.
Now with over five years in business, Guided Makers has supported over 59 other small businesses, 18 of which are Maine-based, with their extensive services. By leveraging Rachel’s skills and working with partners like the SBA, SCORE and the Women’s Business Center, Guided Makers has been able to build a strong foundation and position itself to become a go-to resource for small fashion brands. With the recent addition of an SBA Woman-Owned Small Business certification, Guided Makers now has greater access to potential clients across the country through government contracts and can help even more clients develop products that can compete with large brands.
Photo / courtesy of Acadia Insulation
Acadia Insulation was founded by U.S. Army veteran Wes Grover, seen here with his family.
Insulation you can count on
After years of working for a large insulation contractor, Wes Grover decided it was time to start his own business.
A U.S. Army veteran, he was dissatisfied with the profit-driven approach of his previous employer. He wanted his new venture to prioritize customer service and employee well-being. His goal was to create a workplace culture grounded in fairness, inclusivity, and respect.
For guidance in starting his new business, Grover turned to Business Advisor Chris Dodge at the Maine SBDC. Together, they worked on establishing his LLC, with Chris providing valuable support as Grover developed his business plan and financial projections. These tools proved instrumental when he pitched his business to investors. In addition to a significant owner’s investment, Wes was able to secure the funds needed to launch his business.
Reflecting on his work with the Maine SBDC, Grover comments, “Chris is very knowledgeable, engaging, and offers excellent direction and advice. I would not have been able to build this business as quickly as I did without her knowledge and input.”
Grover officially launched Acadia Insulation in February 2024 in Lewiston. Veteran-owned and operated, the company specializes in batt, blown-in and spray foam insulation, primarily serving builders and contractors in the new construction market. Exceeding expectations, Acadia Insulation closed its first year doubling initial revenue projections.
Grover plans to expand services to offer clients a one-stop solution for their needs. The company is projecting another significant increase in revenues for 2025, driven by new service lines and continued growth. With plans to build a dedicated sales team and launch advertising initiatives, Acadia Insulation aims to reach new markets and strengthen its position in the industry.
Acadia Insulation’s veteran-led team embraces the motto “Adapt and overcome,” guiding the team through challenges such as equipment breakdowns, weather disruptions and shifting project schedules. By focusing on what they can control and integrating themselves into their customers’ build teams, the company fosters a culture of trust. This ensures projects are completed to the highest standards, and where Grover’s leadership reflects a commitment to creating a company where values drive success.
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