Local Spotlight: Ian and Travis Kern

There is something happening in downtown Biddeford that is mostly hidden from view and not much talked about.   It is something that started just a few years ago and yet remains invisible to most casual observers today.

It would be best described as a secret club of sorts; a loose-knit network created by and for small business owners who operate in the core of downtown Biddeford.

Brothers Travis and Ian Kern opened Nibblesford -- a gourmet cheese shop -- on Washington Street a little more than three years ago. Since then, Travis and Ian have become part of a very casual alliance that includes the owners of several other small businesses within a four-block radius of their store.

Unlike structured and formal business organizations such as the Heart of Biddeford or the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce, the mostly underground alliance of small business owners doesn’t have regular meetings. There are no dues. In fact, the group doesn’t even have a name.

“It’s very, very informal, but super helpful for all of us who are working hard to make ends meet and be part of this city’s ongoing success,” explained Travis Kern, the older of the two brothers.

“It’s incredible how diverse this area is,” Travis said. “Within just 100 yards of here, you have so many different, diverse businesses. Our conversations with our neighbors are sort of random. We talk about our shared experiences here. We bump into each other on the street, or at a tavern.

“The conversations can be anything from asking to borrow a gallon of vinegar to seeking advice from people who have doing business here longer than us.”

How did you come up with the name of Nibblesford?

“It’s sort of a tribute to our dad,” Ian explained. “During holidays and get-togethers, he really loved to just nibble; snacking and grazing on things. He liked the ham and the turkey and all that stuff, but he especially liked to nibble on the snacks before the meal.”

You guys talk about an informal business alliance downtown, but are you also part of the Heart of Biddeford or the Chamber of Commerce?

“Absolutely,” Ian says. “The Heart of Biddeford is very active and helpful for all of us. They are an excellent, excellent resource for this town. We do feel supported in so many ways.”

Over the last few years, much has been said about the transformation of downtown Biddeford, many people describe it as a renaissance, a rebirth of a once bustling shopping district. But there are also many people on social media who say the city is not doing enough to address some of its challenges, including restrictive parking, unhoused residents and criminal incidents. What is the reality versus the myths?

“Like any other urban setting, there are going to be some challenges that are just never going to go away,” Travis said. “I’m someone who has lived in Boston, New York and D.C., much bigger urban centers. People still enjoy going to those cities, and there are many successful businesses there.

“I don’t want to minimize any of the challenges, but from my perspective downtown Biddeford has so much to offer and it’s a fantastic place to discover some really cool shops and businesses.

“Unfortunately, I think there is still a little bit of stigma that exists about Biddeford. I had friends in Portland who thought I was nuts to consider opening a business in Biddeford. The reality is that there are not roving gangs kidnapping people or houses being set on fire.

“The challenges are real, but so are the opportunities. What attracted us to this community was the historic architecture, the friendly and creative vibe that is thriving here. I am optimistic about Biddeford’s potential and its future.”

What is the hardest part of running a small business in downtown Biddeford?

“I can’t speak for anyone else or any other business, but it’s still a challenge to get more people coming into downtown more often,” Travis said. “Once people have the opportunity to walk around Biddeford and discover things, then they are hooked.

“It’s just a matter of getting them down here, helping them to get over the hump of what their perceptions might be. To actually see and experience what’s happening here. Sometimes it feels like people who grew up here have almost written-off their downtown without realizing all the dynamic things happening here.”

 

Ian and Travis Kern cut a ribbon at a 2021 ceremony of their downtown Biddeford shop, Nibblesford, in this photo from the Biddeford + Saco Chamber of Commerce + Industry. Also in the photo are then City Councilor Stephen St. Cyr and then Mayor Alan Casavant.

You guys seem to put a lot of emphasis on offering Maine-made products.

“All of our cheese – for the most part – is made in Maine or New England, in general. Most of our jams, our crackers and all of our other products are also locally sourced.

“We really go out of our way to find as much as we can from local sources, farms and vendors. And our customers are often surprised to learn how much cheese comes from right here in Maine.

“People can come up here and sample products they probably didn’t know were produced just a few miles away.”

What kind of feedback would you give to local leaders about doing business in downtown Biddeford?

“I guess I would ask how do we keep Biddeford moving forward in a positive way. I’m also curious about conversations that may or may not be happening regarding traffic.

“Overall, I think Biddeford is on a good trajectory. There is a positive vibrancy here that is based on creativity and cultural diversity. It’s good to be part of that.”

Randy Seaver is a freelance writer living in Biddeford. He is a former newspaper reporter and editor and is the principal of a small strategic communications firm. He can be contacted at randy@randyseaver.com