[Portland, ME] – May 30, 2025 – Maine Outdoor Brands (MOB), in partnership with local retailers, is proud to launch the MOB Shop—a new statewide retail initiative that shines a spotlight on outdoor gear and apparel companies based right here in Maine. Shoppers can now find curated in-store signage and displays featuring Maine-based brands, helping connect local makers with outdoor lovers across the region.
Retailers including Maine Sport Outfitters (Rockport & Rockland), Nomads (Portland), and REI (Westbrook and North Conway, NH) are teaming up with MOB to highlight innovative local products from brands such as Flowfold, FLYN, Good-to-Go, Hyperlite Mountain Gear, Jetboil, Mainers, Map Adventures, Sambob, Shaw & Tenney, and more.
“This program was born out of a simple idea—that if we make it easier for retailers to work with local outdoor brands, everyone benefits: businesses grow, consumers get better access to values-driven products, and our local outdoor economy thrives,” said Marshall Merriam, board member at Maine Outdoor Brands.
The program builds on the success of MOB’s 2022 pilot with REI in Westbrook, where one display generated $45,000 in sales of gear from Maine-based brands, and is now also being replicated in select REI locations around the country.
“Maine customers value high-quality gear and love discovering products with a Maine story,” said Troy Curtis, CEO and General Manager of Maine Sport Outfitters. “Thanks to this program, we’ve been able to bring even more local brands into our stores—brands we may not have found otherwise.”
The launch comes at a time when small and mid-sized outdoor companies face growing challenges from tariffs, inflation, supply chain instability, and rising operational costs. This initiative—supported by a Domestic Trade Grant from the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD)—helps level the playing field and amplify the voices of small businesses that embody Maine’s spirit of craftsmanship, sustainability, and adventure.
“For small brands like mine, visibility is everything,” said Flyn Costello, founder of FLYN. “Because of this program, we’ve gained new retail partners and reached more customers than we could have on our own.”
The impact of the MOB Shop program reaches beyond Maine, as MOB promotes participating brands and the local outdoor industry through product showcases and collaborative displays at trade shows nationwide.
“With this retail initiative, we’re doubling down on our mission to elevate Maine-based outdoor entrepreneurs, strengthen the state’s economic resilience, and help consumers connect with the stories and people behind the gear they trust,” said Jenny Kordick, Executive Director of Maine Outdoor Brands.
Maine Outdoor Brands urges residents and visitors to look for its signature red signage and displays at outdoor stores, and choose gear made in Maine—supporting local jobs, boosting the $3.4 billion outdoor economy, and fueling homegrown innovation.
MOB will continue growing the MOB Shop throughout 2025 and is also planning to launch a new online storefront later this year, giving consumers even more ways to discover and support local brands at maineoutdoorbrands.com.
About Maine Outdoor Brands
Maine Outdoor Brands (MOB) is a member-driven alliance of outdoor product makers, experience providers, retailers, and organizations invested in strengthening Maine’s $3 billion outdoor recreation economy. MOB empowers outdoor businesses to thrive through collaborative marketing, resource sharing, and strategic partnerships with organizations such as the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation.
###
For more information, media inquiries, or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Jesse Baines, Blaze Partners: jesse@blaze-partners.com | 207-807-9185