File Photo / Jim Neuger
Stonewall Kitchen is led by CEO John Stiker.
November 19, 2021
Stonewall Kitchen heads 'home' to capitalize on recent acquisitions
File Photo / William Hall
Stonewall Kitchen, whose headquarters campus in York is shown here, was acquired by TA Associates.
Stonewall Kitchen is heading "home" to capitalize on recent acquisitions, closing its cooking school in York to pursue a new line of business in home goods.
The York-based retailer plans to open its first Stonewall Home store at its York headquarters in spring 2022, company spokesman Jacob Ouellette confirmed to Mainebiz on Friday.
On Friday, Stonewall's website showed a cancellation for today's "Comfort Food Friday" class. It was to have been taught by Shanna and Brian O'Hea of the Kennebunk Inn's Academe Brasserie, over a four-course meal ending with orange and cardamon creme brulee.
Stonewall Kitchen, which opened its cooking school in York 13 years ago, said the cooking school will close for good at the end of this year.
"We have loved every minute of our renowned cooking school, with our stunningly talented staff and welcoming hundreds of guest chefs from around the world to create special experiences for thousands of our guests," the company said in an online statement.
The news about the Stonewall Home store follows a batch of acquisitions this year, including Katonah, N.Y.-based Michel Design Works, which sells bath and body products, fragrances, home decor and gifts; the Chicago-based Urban Accents brand of spice mixes, seasons, sauces and gifts; and the organic Vermont Coffee Co. brand, based in Middlebury, Vt.
Stonewall Kitchen also owns Wells-based Village Candle, acquired last year. Stonewall Kitchen has stores in York, Camden and Portland; as well as in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut, as well as Village Candle in Kittery.
"Inspired by some of our more recent acquisitions and successful entrance into home goods, our new store will offer a wide variety of specialty home décor and products," the company said in its statement online.
Ouellette told Mainebiz that Stonewall Kitchen is actively working with its cooking school employees in hopes to place all of them in other positions within the company, and has hosted a special job fair just for that team to discuss options
Stonewall Kitchen currently employs 381 people in Maine, and plans to open the new Stonewall Home store in York at its current headquarters, he added.
Founded in 1991 by partners Jonathan King and Jim Stott, the two established the Stonewall Kitchen brand by selling jams and jellies at local farmers’ markets and later expanded into sauces, condiments, crackers and baking mixes.
Stonewall Kitchen is owned by Boston-based Audax Private Equity, which bought a majority stake in 2019.
The company's pantry of brands includes Urban Accents spice mixes, seasonings and sauces; Village Candle scented candles, along with gifts and accessories; Tillen Farms pickled vegetables and cocktail cherries; Napa Valley Naturals olive oils, culinary oils, balsamic vinegars and wine vinegars; Montebello artisanal organic pastafrom Italy; the Vermont Village brand of organic apple sauce and apple cider vinegars; and Legal Sea Foods sauces and condiments.
Editor's note: Story updated with additional details from company spokesperson.
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