ROCKLAND—After three years of operating an outdoor Makers Market in Rockland, Christa Zuber opened the doors to her first brick-and-mortar makers' shop at 376 Main Street on May 1.

It's a full-circle journey for Zuber, an artist and a teacher who ran an arts market in New Hampshire before moving to Maine in 2020. 

"I had an art studio in New Hampshire where people could do drop-in art-making and take classes, and it was the hardest five years of my life," said Zuber. "And I said, 'I'm never going to have a store again.' When Archipelago closed, it left a hole in the community for makers and the community, so I thought, well, if there was ever an opportunity, now is it!"

The year-round storefront is open Wednesday through Sunday and currently hosts the work of 55 vendors with more than 25 more in the works; 98 percent of the makers and artists are from Maine.

Inside, the store features art, glassware, pottery, soaps, textiles, clothing, lotion, handbags, prints, stained glass, candles, and more. It also features Maine authors with three shelves of Maine Authors Publishing books.

"We had a lot of vendors come visit on our first day open; they were very excited," said Zuber. "I'm excited to be here year-round in a flagship store on Rockland's Main Street, and to not have to deal with the weather. If it's a rainy day, it's still a great opportunity to welcome everyone to the store."

Rockland Makers Market continues to operate its seasonal outdoor markets this summer and fall, including specific dates when vendors gather under tents at the harbor, cruise ship pop-ups, and Sunday Strolls along Main Street. 

To learn more about the store and to inquire about being a vendor, visit the Rockland Makers Market website.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com