The winter holidays were in evidence in Waldoboro on Saturday, December 2. All over town, shops and organizations decked the halls and some hosted special events. 

At the north end of town, Christmas gifts and decor returned to Morses’ Sauerkraut. Owner Cody LaMontagne said more is yet come.

In Waldoboro Village, approximately two dozen artisans offered holiday shoppers handcrafted items across two Makers Markets in two venues. 

On Friendship Street, Perch Cafe hosted the Queer Makers’ Market, an ongoing program based in Portland. The cafe was standing room only as vendors, customers, and coffee lovers filled the romantically lit space. 

For cafe owner Lynn Bachelder, the market was a next logical step for Perch Cafe, which opened in August 2022. Bachelder envisions the cafe as a queer-friendly community space for all those who need it. 

“I would love to use the space more and more,” said Bachelder.

The cafe will host a wreath-making workshop Saturday, December 9, which is also the next date for their knitting group. A queer sip-and-draw or similar event is also in the works. 

As the Perch Cafe market drew to a close, a second market started just a few hundred feet away. 

The Waldoboro Inn’s common rooms were crowded with delicate goods and holiday shoppers. 

“It’s a nice way to get people together to shop handmade and local from a dozen vendors,” said Inn proprietress Alexa Stark. Stark stayed busy playing triple duty as event organizer, barkeeper, and vendor.

Less than an hour into the event, Stark said, “this one is already way more well attended than our summer market.”

Items available at the markets ranged across products including rug-hooking, knitwear, essential oils, stickers, jewelry, art prints and vintage clothing.  

Artists from Bangor, Portland, Hancock, and other Maine towns took their artwork to Waldoboro to display side-by-side with local artists. 

Zoe Lindquist has lived in Waldoboro for about a year and is restarting a knitwear business. Lindquist also hosts a knitting group at the Inn.

“All handcrafts are welcome,” said Lindquist. “Hang out — Alexa makes soup.”

The next meeting is Friday, December 15 at 5:30 p.m. 926 Main St, Waldoboro, ME 04572.

“There is really good stuff in there!,” said Waldoboro resident Louie. This was Louie’s first visit to the Waldoboro Inn, which opened this year. “There’s a lot going on in Waldoboro — Perch, the Waldo, this place.”

Artist Audrey of Orchid & Crow finished a “super, super” day selling at Perch Cafe before checking out the market and Ida’s wine bar at the Inn. “People were so welcoming and kind. There was an older queer maker who said he’d never had this kind of opportunity before.”

The evening’s activities continued after the market with a holiday-themed double feature at “The Waldo After Dark.” The movie series runs unusual movies typically expected at a midnight screening.

The weekend’s events also included the monthly Odd Spin vinyl night at Odd Alewives, the Waldoboro Historical Society’s wreath sale, and a special story time at the Waldoboro Library. 

Tops’l Farm kicked off its “Winter Raclette season” with the first of three weekends of cheesy suppers.  

The Waldoboro Inn, Ida’s Wine Bar, Perch Cafe, and the Waldo Theatre are all planning to add events throughout the winter to continue investing in their community. 

“Winter is long,” Bachelder said, with a smile.