Pioneer Times photo/Gloria Austin
BREAK GROUND — Spring Break Maple & Honey owned by Kristi and Kevin Brannen broke ground for their new facility to be open in March of 2014. The new portion of the business is a 62-foot by 26-foot addition, which allows for more efficiency and flexibility for the candy making process. The new construction includes a commercial kitchen, drying rooms and humidity control. At the ground breaking were, from left, Kristi Brannen, Jon McLaughlin, SADC executive director; Candy Nevers, Smyrna town manager; Benjamin McQuade, NorState Federal Credit Union and Kevin Brannen.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
Spring Break Maple & Honey broke ground on Nov. 4 for a new processing facility for their ever-growing business in Smyrna.
“We anticipate moving into the new facility in March of 2014, just in time for our maple sugaring season,” said Kristi Brannen, who owns the business with her husband Kevin.
In order to keep up with demand of their customers, the Brannens have expanded their business.
“Our current processing of maple-added value products does not allow us to grow to meet this demand,” said Kristi Brannen. “This facility will put us under one roof and streamline our production and give us the ability to make more products in less time.”
The Brannens are adding a 62-foot by 26-foot addition, which allows for more efficiency and flexibility for the candy-making process. The new addition includes a commercial kitchen, drying rooms and humidity control. It also incorporates storage, packing and shipping area and an office space.
“We will also have a new retail space,” said Brannen. The year-round gift shop will now be 26-feet by 20-feet to sell maple and honey products and a variety of Maine-made items.
“We showcase local artists and businesses,” she added. “Our lines change periodically, as well.”
The Smyrna-based operation started with a small sugar shack and built a permanent sugar shack and gift shop on its property at 3315 U.S. Route 2 in 2005. The Brannens tap 10 percent red maple and 90 percent sugar maple on their woodlot. They have about 3,000 taps and their average is about a quart per tap.
Spring Break Maple & Honey is the largest maple candy company in the state. They process several hundreds of gallons of maple syrup into maple candies and have wholesale accounts throughout Maine and New England. Their customer base expands worldwide.
With growth comes excitement and opportunity. Spring Break Maple & Honey has always opened its doors to customers to check out during Maine Maple Sunday in March.
“When you visit us you are able to see maple syrup being made in the spring and soon our customers will be able to see maple candy being made year round from our new retail shop through a viewing window,” explained Brannen. “Customers can see and learn how maple syrup is processed into delicious tasting products like candy, cream, sugar and suckers.”
The Brannens were honored at the 54th annual North American Maple Syrup Council (NAMSC) conference in Moncton, N.B., as their products won in multiple categories. Spring Break maple candy took first place, as well as placing in the maple cream, maple sugar and dark amber maple syrup categories.
The Brannens have complemented their business with the addition of making honey, too.
With their growth comes their thanks to their many supporters.
“We care about our customers and their needs,” said Brannen. “Without customers, we wouldn’t be able to expand, let alone be in business.”
For more information check out their website at www.mainemapleandhoney.com or follow them on www.facebook.com/springbreakmapleandhoney, phone 757-7373 or e-mail info@mainemapleandhoney.com.
