East Brown Cow lease 5,386 s/f to Maeson Maine at 200 Middle St. in Old Port Sq.

Portland, ME East Brown Cow said that design studio Maeson Maine opened its doors to its shop and “third space” in Suite 202 at 200 Middle St. in Old Port Square. Maeson Maine, led by creative director Kristin Rocha, transforms 5,386 s/f into a four-part activation combining installation, retail, working studio, and reading room.

Designed as a light-filled space for creativity, curiosity, and connection, Maeson Maine invites visitors to slow down and engage with the creative process in an informal and welcoming environment.

“Experiential retail pop-ups like Maeson Maine bring an important sense of creativity, experimentation, and public life to downtown Portland,” said Jacob Soley, development director at East Brown Cow. “Kristin’s vision aligns with our goal of making Old Port Square a place where people want to spend time, discover new ideas, and connect with one another. We hope it results in others reaching out to Old Port Square about additional opportunities for experiential retail pop-ups.”

“I am incredibly grateful to East Brown Cow for the opportunity to take over this space for six months,” said Rocha. “Our primary intention for our residency in Old Port Square is to create an experience dedicated to joy and connection, and we’re using the creative process as the tool for doing that.”

Maeson Maine’s layout of the sun-drenched space overlooking Union St. includes a number of seating areas and tables stocked with paper and drawing supplies, inviting guests to stay awhile. An immersive installation created collaboratively by Rocha and sound designer Kari Rae Seekins combines a layered auditory experience with textile sculptures visitors can move throughout. Maeson Maine’s working studio and shop also utilize the expansive square footage.

“The whole space is organized around the idea that creativity can have a positive impact,” Rocha said. “Whether it’s allowing the creative play throughout the space to lift their spirits, taking the opportunity to use supplies we’re providing for their own self-expression, or just stepping away from stress to be immersed in the creative experience we’ve built here, our hope is that each person will leave feeling more joyful or more connected to themselves or the people around them than they did when they arrived. The more joy and more connection we can create the better. That’s our impact.”

Rocha is originally from Providence, R.I. She earned a BA in English from Trinity College and an MFA in poetry from NYU before working as a children’s book author in New York City. Since moving to Maine in 2017, she has worked nationally in production design, styling, and creative direction. She is co-founder of the Portland-based production company Hitched Willie alongside her husband, producer and photographer Will Russell.

Maeson Maine joins a growing series of creative activations at Old Port Square this summer, including the Resurgam Music and Arts Festival and the Pride edition of the Old Port Maker’s Market. Together, these community-rooted experiences reflect the continued evolution of Old Port Square as a mixed-use district with residences, retail, restaurants, hotels, offices, parking, art and culture, and inviting public spaces.

Maeson Maine is open Thursdays through Sundays.