Local Kids Clothing Maker Expands, Opens Downtown Bath Storefront
Bath based clothing maker Peace House Studio announced it would move from a room above a garage to a storefront at 9 Centre Street in downtown Bath, quadrupling its space to about 2,300 square feet. The owners said they secured a $12,500 Bath Fit Up Grant for build out and equipment, signaling a boost for local retail and Maine makers, with a grand opening planned for February 2026.
On December 22, 2025, Peace House Studio, an online children and family clothing business run by Nick and Kate Bergmann, announced plans to relocate to a storefront at 9 Centre Street in downtown Bath. The new space will expand the business roughly four times, to about 2,300 square feet, and the Bergmanns are targeting a grand opening in February 2026.
The company will use a $12,500 Bath Fit Up Grant to build out the retail area and to purchase industrial sewing machines for on site production and repairs. Until now most sales came through makers markets, where the business built a direct consumer base. Moving into a physical storefront will allow customers to touch fabrics, try sizing in person, and see garments being repaired and altered, activities that are difficult to replicate online.
Peace House Studio has responded to customer demand by expanding into adult sizes and by running a repair and patch program aimed at keeping garments in circulation. The addition of industrial machines in the new space suggests the Bergmanns plan to increase local production capacity and offer more in person services, which could reduce turnaround time for repairs and encourage repeat visits.
The storefront will also host other Maine makers alongside Peace House goods, creating a small retail cluster that could increase foot traffic on Centre Street and strengthen downtown Bath as a destination for local craft and apparel. The Bath Fit Up Grant underscores municipal and community support for small business investment in downtown retail space, a common policy tool used to stabilize and revitalize commercial corridors.
For Sagadahoc County residents the move offers immediate benefits. Shoppers gain a place to assess sizing and fabric before purchase, families can access repair services that extend garment life, and local makers gain retail exposure. With the grand opening slated for February 2026, downtown Bath will gain a visible example of a makers market vendor stepping into brick and mortar retail, reflecting broader trends in local manufacturing, sustainability, and community oriented retail development.
Sources:
Know something we missed? Have a correction or additional information?
Submit a Tip
