When Brandon Allegue secured 8 Exchange Street as the location for The Teal Duck—his new cocktail lounge and charcuterie bar—he knew he had hit gold. In the heart of the Old Port, it’s where the city’s highest foot traffic frequents the most legendary restaurants.

"Exchange Street is the premier retail location in the entire state of Maine,” agrees Andre Rossignol, Associate Vice President at CORE who leased the space to Brandon.

“They will be well positioned to be successful here due to the strong layout of the space. The concept is unique to the area, and they are the team to do it. Brandon's experience working in major markets gives them a real edge.”

The Teal Duck pays tribute to the art and history of the classic cocktail.

“I wanted to make a nice, high-end cocktail lounge that doesn’t take itself too seriously,” explains Brandon. “I can’t stand that whole hipster mixologist thing! I believe you can find a great cocktail by using handmade ingredients and classic recipes.”

A sense of history pervades this location. The Teal Duck occupies a 19th century brick building and a space that at one point was a movie theater. The original marquee still hangs outside, now with the words “Cocktails & Charcuterie” lit up.

When you walk inside, you’ll find an intimate bar with teal lighting down its entire length, candlelight, and a movie screen on the back wall playing black and white movies. The place seeps with nostalgia.

“That’s one of the things I love about the name, The Teal Duck,” says Brandon. “It sounds like it’s been here for 30 years.”

Brandon, who is originally from Long Island, NY, is something of a bar industry insider. His father was a piano player and singer, and his mother was a bartender. “I grew up in bars,” he shares.

Bartending was his continual part-time job and by the age of 24, he moved to Florida and became general manager of a bar in West Palm Beach.

“Eventually I decided to open my own place,” he says. “And I wanted to move north. I took a vacation to Portland and that was it.”

The Teal Duck opened to the public on August 28, 2026.

“This bar is suited for locals,” says Brandon. “It’s a cozy place with a living room vibe and is definitely a place to come during the winter months.”

He also stresses the food element of the venue, and the locally sourced meats and cheeses on offer.  “When you come to this bar, it’s not just about drinking; it’s about hanging out with friends,” he says. “We offer charcuterie boards as a way for a group to order food together. Humanity has always bonded over drinks and plates of food.”

The Teal Duck is Monday-Saturday from 3pm-11pm. More info at www.thetealduck.com 

Dee Dee’s Barbershop is one of the coolest new businesses in Portland. It sits like a gleaming jewel just off Congress Street in the Arts District, with a yellow sign, an open garage door and excellent ‘70s and ‘80s rock tunes spilling out. Take a seat on the wraparound mustard couch, pick up a Marvel comic, and you’ll feel transported to another era.

“I’ve always been very into the ‘70s,” explains owner Desiree Decker, aka Des, as she takes a seat. “This sofa, for example, is from the 1960s.”

Des has spent 13 years working in the barbering worlds of Colorado and Maine, building a loyal following of clients that will happily follow her down alleyways to get an excellent short haircut, straight razor head shave, or beard trim.

After attending barbering school in her home state of Colorado, Des spent eight years working in barbershops before moving to Portland five years ago. She rented chairs at Ethan Hunter Salon & Barber and The Blind Pig Barber Company. Then she became an entrepreneur.

“I never pictured myself having my own shop, but this January a friend and I decided to buy a bar; the sale fell through, but I got great experience writing business plans, so I shifted gears and decided to build this.”

She wanted a spot on the peninsula, and Clay Hardy of CORE brought her to this unique space.

“The garage door really caught my eye,” she says. “And it was the perfect square footage; my previous barbershops have all been cute and cozy.”

She named the shop Dee Dee’s as a play on her initials (D.D.) and because it speaks to her obsession with all things vintage. She also enlisted four other women with strong barbering chops and clientele to join her; they rent four of the five chairs.

“It has mid-century, diner-esque vibes to it,” she says of the space. “Dee Dee feels like a girl who would be behind the counter. Come on in and vibe out at Dee Dee’s,” she adds with a laugh. “Put your feet up and grab a cold drink out of the fridge.”

Learn more at www.deedeesbarbershop.com 

Hyperlite Mountain Gear has grown from a startup in a Kennebunk garage into one of Biddeford’s most celebrated businesses. It’s a world-renowned outdoor equipment brand, yet its roots are humble and innovative—much like its founder, Mike St. Pierre.

When we meet in Hyperlite’s headquarters in Pepperell Mill, Mike explains his unconventional career path. He began as an audio engineer, touring with Don Henley and The Eagles. Then he trained as a chef in some of the country’s most acclaimed restaurants, including New York City’s three-Michelin-star Per Se. But his love for the great outdoors brought him back to Maine. And when he couldn’t find the equipment for hikes, he set about creating it himself.

“I’ve always chosen things I’m passionate about,” explains Mike. “When I started Hyperlite, most of the products out there were overbuilt and really heavy. Manufacturers had lost sight of what was truly important, adding more features, pockets, and zippers. We stripped everything back to the essentials.”

He started the company in his garage in Kennebunk. By 2010, the fast-growing business had relocated to the Pepperrell Mill campus in Biddeford. Mike arrived just as the historic textile complex was beginning its transformation into a vibrant community of apartments, restaurants, small businesses, and arts studios.

“It was pretty bohemian back then,” he says, grinning. “And it gave us so much room to grow.”

It turned out to be the perfect launch pad. The company’s ultralight backpacks, tents, and accessories became popular with adventurers around the world. They are especially well known in the U.S. among hikers tackling iconic routes like the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail. The brand’s fanbase spans climbers, backcountry skiers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds.

“Our philosophy is striking the optimal balance between weight, durability, and weather protection,” says Mike.

Today, Hyperlite serves customers globally through its online store and an international network of retailers. But Maine remains central to the company’s identity. Mike says the collaborative environment at the mills continues to be a vital part of their culture. Its product development, research and development, marketing, customer service, fulfillment and finance teams remain based here.

Mike also says he’s encouraged by the energy CORE has brought since taking over management of Pepperrell Mill.

“CORE seems genuinely interested in tenants’ perspectives and how the campus can continue to improve,” he says. “We’ve been part of conversations about future ideas. It’s exciting to see continued investment into making this a place where businesses can thrive.”

Learn more about Hyperlite Mountain Gear at hyperlitemountaingear.com.