South Portland Celebrates Local Business Leaders at Annual Awards

Winners include restaurants, a farm, and a coffee shop recognized for their impact on the community.

Feb. 2, 2026 at 2:47pm

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The city of South Portland recently held its annual business awards ceremony, honoring six local businesses and one business leader for their contributions to the community. Among the winners were Taj Indian Cuisine, Barber Brothers Meat & Provisions, Seabird Aromatics, Second Rodeo Coffee Shop, the Locker Project, Wade Merritt, and Dancing Harvest Farm. The awards celebration took place on February 25th at South Portland High School.

Why it matters

The South Portland business awards highlight the vital role that local enterprises play in supporting the community, especially during challenging times. Many of this year's winners were food-related businesses, reflecting the community's focus on access to nutritious and sustainable food options.

The details

The six business award categories included Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Maker of the Year, New Business of the Year, Community Impact Award, and Sustainable Business of the Year. The Business Leader of the Year award recognized an individual who has made significant contributions to the local business community. Winners were selected from over 100 nominations, with the decision-making process taking place in November 2025 as SNAP benefits were under threat due to a government shutdown.

  • The South Portland business awards ceremony took place on February 25, 2026 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at South Portland High School.
  • The nomination and decision-making process for the awards occurred in November 2025.

The players

Taj Indian Cuisine

A local Indian restaurant that won the Business of the Year award.

Barber Brothers Meat & Provisions

A small business that won the Small Business of the Year award.

Seabird Aromatics

A holistic aromatherapy business that won the Maker of the Year award.

Second Rodeo Coffee Shop

A new coffee shop that won the New Business of the Year award.

The Locker Project

A community organization that won the Santo 'Sam' Dipietro Community Impact Award.

Wade Merritt

The Business Leader of the Year award winner.

Dancing Harvest Farm

A sustainable farm that won the Sustainable Business of the Year award.

Daniela Aldrich

The manager of Dancing Harvest Farm.

Amanda Breazeale

The founder and owner of Seabird Aromatics.

Lana Cooney

The owner of Second Rodeo Coffee Shop.

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What they’re saying

“Sustainability can be challenging when mitigating disease and pest pressure without using chemical pesticides, but to Aldrich, it's worth it. '[Sustainability] is all kind of wrapped up in showing up on the field,' she said.”

— Daniela Aldrich, Manager, Dancing Harvest Farm

“'Scent is such a powerful tool that we can use,' she said. 'It's great for our mind and body connection.'”

— Amanda Breazeale, Founder and Owner, Seabird Aromatics

“'The concept of the third space is one that rings really true to me,' Cooney said. 'It's nice to just be able to go into a space and feel like the people there have your back and know who you are and what you need.'”

— Lana Cooney, Owner, Second Rodeo Coffee Shop

What’s next

The South Portland business community will continue to celebrate the award winners and their contributions at the February 25th ceremony, which will feature award presentations, networking, and community engagement.

The takeaway

The South Portland business awards highlight the thriving local economy and the community's commitment to supporting mission-driven, sustainable, and innovative enterprises that enrich the lives of residents. These winners exemplify the spirit of small business and the power of community-focused entrepreneurship.