Courtesy / Rough & Tumble
Handbag maker Rough & Tumble opened a flagship store at 176 Middle St. in Portland.
Updated: July 11, 2024
Former Starbucks location in Portland's Old Port is leased by Maine handbag brand
Courtesy / Rough & Tumble
Handbag maker Rough & Tumble opened a flagship store at 176 Middle St. in Portland.
A Maine handbag maker is slated to take over a corner store location on an Old Port stretch that's increasingly become known for fashion brands.
Rough & Tumble opened its flagship 2,126-square-foot store at 176 Middle St., a former Starbucks location in what's known as the Boyd Block, which has undergone a recent renovation.
It will join a burgeoning retail area, with Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, West Elm, Madewell, Athleta and New Hampshire-based retailer Bella Funk. Free People, another brand under the URBN umbrella, is a sister brand of Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie.
East Brown Cow, the Portland-based real estate concern, announced the addition. The lease was signed a year ago, with move-in scheduled with the renovation timeline. Consigli Construction managed the renovation.
“[Rough & Tumble's] success is a testament to the draw that the Old Port’s unique small business storefronts have on visitors from around the world and a clear sign of this area’s thriving future. We are excited to see the impact that Rough & Tumble will have on the charm and legacy of Portland," said Tim Soley, president and CEO of East Brown Cow.
Rough & Tumble founder Natasha Durham said she hopes the store will be able to partner with other Maine makers, designers and artists. To that end, Rough & Tumble offers a 'Be the designer' custom process, which gives access to design and material combinations to make one-of-a-kind handbags.
“The culture of this state is rugged fearlessness and a deep sense of community connection,” said Durham. “My hope is that this extraordinary location serves as a beacon and source of profound inspiration for all Maine makers and creators.
"This space is a playground for that inner muse, and a truly unique shopping experience for every budding artist serving as a testing ground for new designs and materials as they explore the depths of their talent and creativity.”
Courtesy / Rough & Tumble
A selection of handbags at Rough & Tumble in Portland.
The store will also offer handbag designs that Rough & Tumble is most known for, including model designs known as 1903, 1904 pack, Boho, Original City Safari and the Hobo Pack.
Rough & Tumble, which was founded in 2008, sells its bags through Garnet Hill and the Sundance catalog. Leathers are sourced primarily from France and Italy. It has a design studio in Brunswick.
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