Small Business Spotlight
Spotlights
Small businesses are the heart of Aroostook County — they fuel our local economy, create jobs, and strengthen the fabric of our communities. From family-run farms to neighborhood shops, these businesses represent the spirit of resilience and innovation that defines our region. To honor their impact, we’re launching a monthly spotlight on our website to feature and celebrate the incredible work they do. By sharing their stories, we hope to uplift local entrepreneurs and encourage continued support for the small businesses that help Aroostook thrive.
Our Story
We moved to northern Maine in the summer of 2021, hailing from the West Coast. We moved here on a whim, having never been to Maine and knowing no-one from here. We had just always believed we’d wind up here. Shortly after we arrived we were in search of local coffee shops to patronize and were surprised to hear that there were only fast food establishments serving coffee drinks.
Hearing that there was an influx of new residents moving to the County from all over the US, I (Tamara) told my husband that we needed to open a coffee shop. I knew with the many new residents I would not be the only one with that idea.
Prior to heading to the East Coast, we had purchased a home in Caribou, sight-unseen. The home was in need of total renovation (immediately upon arrival in Maine, we were knee deep in those renovations). My husband agreed that maybe the following year we could look into starting a coffee shop. Unfortunately, or rather, fortunately, I insisted that the timing was of the essence I wanted to begin the work of putting together a shop immediately. My husband relented, and thus we immediately started creating what would become Ruska Coffee Co.
Starting our business was fun, challenging, and scary. We spent months talking to locals and doing as much research as possible. We knew one thing for certain – location was very important. We decided that staying downtown, on or near Sweden Street, was our ideal location. We eventually landed on a building in our desired area. The building had never been used in a food or beverage industry and thus required a substantial amount of renovations. We did not have a lot of excess funds to create our shop but put in tireless hours of sweat equity and purchased some used equipment. We also obtained a small amount of additional startup funding through NMDC.
COVID was ever present during the beginning months of our building and development. It had changed the world in so many ways. As we created our business, we set forward to reunite people. A comfortable and welcoming environment was key. We strove to get back to a world of customer service and human interaction. We were also very particular about our beverage choices, and later as we added our kitchen, our food choices. Our goal was creating a place that we ourselves would want to patronize.
We endured an extreme hardship as our oldest son was killed prior to our intended opening. The emotional turmoil caused an unexpected pause on the forward movement of our business. After many months had passed, we realized that financially we were at a turning point – we needed to open our doors and we did so in February 2023. Ready or not we jumped in.
Although we did not have all of the pieces perfectly together, the community showed up big and has kept showing up ever since! We have been awe-inspired at the amazing support we have received from the locals and those from neighboring areas as well. Despite some initial concerns by locals about a coffee shop being a viable business in Caribou, we have managed to not only exist but thrive in our small town.
In many areas of the US, newcomers might not be welcomed or well received. But Aroostook County is like no other! The people in The County are some of the friendliest, most genuine, and most welcoming people we’ve met. We’re now 4 years in living here in Caribou and we’d take these extra-long winters any day to live in this community that offers as much love as we’ve experienced here.
Our Mission and Values
At Pioneer Broadband, our mission is to connect communities with reliable, high-speed fiber broadband, and our employees embody that mission every day. Whether it’s a lineman braving harsh weather to complete a rural buildout, a customer service rep who knows our customers by name, or a network engineer innovating behind the scenes, our team consistently goes above and beyond.
Our values—integrity, accountability, local commitment, and excellence—are visible in the pride our employees take in their work and the trust they build with the communities we serve.
Our Company Culture
Our culture is grounded in purpose, community, and innovation. We are deeply mission-driven—bringing world-class broadband to rural Maine—and that sense of purpose resonates with our team. Our employees know their work makes a tangible difference in people’s lives. We foster a collaborative environment where input is valued regardless of title, and we invest in workforce development through hands-on training, apprenticeship programs, and career growth opportunities. That combination of mission alignment, respect, and professional investment is what helps us attract and retain top-tier talent, even in a competitive labor market.
Living and Doing Business in Aroostook County
The County has exceeded our expectations in both quality of life and the opportunity to build something meaningful. There is a strong sense of community here, and people genuinely support one another. That same spirit extends to business—our partnerships with local municipalities, tribal governments, and small towns have been instrumental in our growth. The work ethic, reliability, and resourcefulness of the local workforce have also made it possible for us to scale while staying rooted in the place we call home.
Company Contact 18 Market Square Houlton, ME 04730 (207) 776-9550 jeff@mundborabags.com
Store Location 83 Main Street Houlton, ME 04730 Store hours are by appointment only.
My name is Jeff Maguire, and I am the inventor and proud owner of the Mundbora Bag Shield—a patented personal protection device cleverly disguised as a backpack or computer bag. The name Mundbora means “protector” or “guardian” in Old English, reflecting my mission to help everyday individuals protect themselves in an increasingly uncertain world.
With over 20 years of experience as a Personal Protection Specialist for royalty, dignitaries, and celebrities—and a background as a combat veteran, private investigator, black belt instructor, NRA Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor, and EMT—I saw a critical need for accessible protection for all. Not everyone can afford a bodyguard, but anyone can carry a Mundbora bag.
Each bag is thoughtfully designed in Aroostook County—many handcrafted by the Amish in a local farmhouse, using no electricity. We recently opened a retail space at 83 Main Street in Houlton, and I envision establishing a manufacturing and shipping facility right here in the County to create jobs and promote local craftsmanship.
At Mundbora Inc, our mission includes equipping every school in Maine with body shields to help ensure children’s safety—because I believe that should be every community leader’s top priority.
I hope my journey inspires others to prioritize personal safety, embrace entrepreneurship, and recognize all that Aroostook County has to offer as a place to live, work, and grow.
WHITEMORE AND EDGECOMB FAMILY FARMS
291 Thibodeau Road Woodland, ME 04736
Email: W.e.familyfarms@gmail.com
Hello! Our names are Candy Whitmore-Edgecomb and Chris Edgecomb. We proudly own and operate Whitmore & Edgecomb Family Farms, a hay, grain, and produce farm. Our two children, Natalie and Colten, help with the farm’s day-to-day needs and sprinkle their own personalities wherever they go.
Whitmore & Edgecomb Family Farm was created in 2019, when we found a deficit in the industry. We found that there was a lack of forage options and a lack of educational opportunities for at-home produce growers in the County. Our business idea came from our mutual love for the outdoors partnered with Chris’ farming background. The idea to be a diversified business came from long conversations about what the County was missing and how we could contribute positively to not only our own lives but to the lives of others.
Starting a new business was both exciting and challenging at the same time. There are many, many things that must be carefully planned out and executed while creating a business from scratch. While building our business there have been many late nights and long weekends spent in the field, shop, and in the office. Sacrifices are many in the beginning, and sometimes can weigh heavy. The reward, however, far outweighs the sacrifice. Watching everything you have put your blood, sweat and tears into flourish, is the best feeling. Watching and working beside our children while they grow and learn how to care for the land and their community. Watching visitors smile and laugh (or scream in fear), seeing them make memories with their family and friends, that is the reward.
Living and doing business in Aroostook County has been a joyous experience. The natural beauty that surrounds us gives us new inspiration every day. The outpouring support from our community has far exceeded our expectations. From our haunted woods walk that is now in its 3rd year, to our 6th annual W.E. Fest, our first Dino Fest and more! Aroostook County truly is the place to be.
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Guidebook
Discover what makes Aroostook a great place to live, work, and play in our informative 60-page relocation guide.
