Behind the Scenes at Stonewall Kitchen in York Maine

If you’ve ever visited southern Maine, you’ve likely heard of Stonewall Kitchen in York, Maine—a true New England destination known for its iconic jams, gourmet foods, and charming flagship store.

I recently had the opportunity to go behind the scenes during a special Stonewall Kitchen retreat, where we explored everything from their test kitchens and photography studios to their newest home decor shop.

It was an unforgettable experience filled with food, inspiration, and the kind of cozy New England charm I love to share here on the blog.

About Stonewall Kitchen in York, Maine

If you’re a fan of New England charm, it’s hard not to fall in love with Stonewall Kitchen in York, Maine. I’ve blogged about this beloved local brand and its delicious products in several posts over the years—each one highlighting just how much their style, flavors, and story have become part of my own home and decor journey.

Stonewall Kitchen was founded in 1991 by Jim Stott and Jonathan King, who began their business selling small batches of wild Maine blueberry jam at flea markets in nearby Portsmouth, New Hampshire. What started as a modest weekend venture has since grown into an award-winning, nationally recognized brand with a flagship campus nestled right here in York, Maine—just around the corner from our home.

You can read more about their incredible entrepreneurial journey here—it’s a true New England success story.

Why I Was Invited to a Stonewall Kitchen Retreat

You may have heard of brands hosting retreats or mini-conferences for content creators—but what does that really look like? While many of these events are geared toward food bloggers or influencers, I was honored to be invited to this special Stonewall Kitchen retreat in York, Maine—and for a slightly different reason.

Stonewall Kitchen recently expanded their flagship campus with a brand-new home decor store, and that’s where my style comes in. While I may not be a food blogger, my focus on New England homes, cozy spaces, and vintage-inspired decorating made me a natural fit to experience and share this exciting new side of the Stonewall Kitchen lifestyle. From beautiful tablewares and kitchen linens to lobster dinner essentials, their curated selection blends functionality with New England charm—making it feel perfectly at home in my decorating world.

I joined a group of amazing food content creators for a few days of inspiration, behind-the-scenes tours, and, of course, lots of delicious bites. It was such a treat to represent the home decor side of the community and see how it all connects under the Stonewall Kitchen brand.

Each moment was thoughtfully planned and full of that signature Stonewall charm—authentic, flavorful, and distinctly New England.

Stonewall Kitchen Retreat Day 1: Welcomes, Goodies, & Coastal Charm

With the addition of Stonewall Kitchen’s brand-new home store this year, I was honored to be invited into this fantastic group of talented food bloggers and creators for a cozy, New England-style retreat.

While most of the group stayed at the charming York Harbor Inn—a classic spot I’ve adored since I was young—I had the pleasure of joining from just up the road, since our home is right here in York.

As we settled in for the days ahead, Stonewall Kitchen welcomed us with the sweetest gift basket filled with Maine-inspired treasures.

Each canvas tote (white with a navy anchor—so coastal cute!) was filled with thoughtful goodies: a Maine the Way magazine, a wooden cutting board shaped like the state of Maine, rock candies that looked just like beach pebbles, a classic whoopie pie, and more.

It was such a fun way to kick off the experience and really captured the heart of the Maine lifestyle.

A Flavorful Evening in Kennebunk with Stonewall Kitchen

Our first full evening of the retreat was all about good food, new friends, and a whole lot of laughter. We were picked up in a sleek white limousine at the York Harbor Inn and whisked away to Old Vines Wine Bar and Restaurant in nearby Kennebunk, Maine. Most of us had never met in person before, so the 30-minute ride turned into the perfect icebreaker—full of chatter, introductions, and that fun energy you get when creatives come together.

The food was outstanding, but it was the atmosphere—relaxed, joyful, and totally photo-friendly—that made the evening so memorable.

We all joked that for once, we could take as many pictures as we wanted of our plates, cocktails, and everything in between—no judgment, just a room full of fellow creators who completely get it.

Scroll through for a few snapshots of the evening—warning: you might leave hungry!

Day Two at Stonewall Kitchen: From Cafe to Creative

Breakfast at the Stonewall Kitchen Cafe

Because it’s Stonewall Kitchen, you just know breakfast was going to be special.

We kicked off the morning at their beautiful in-store café, where I ordered a grilled blueberry muffin paired with their iconic wild Maine blueberry jam—a combo recommended by Sarah from their marketing team.

Let me tell you, I’d never thought to grill a muffin before… but now I’ll never have one any other way.

With coffee in hand and warm muffins devoured, we headed into Stonewall Kitchen’s corporate offices, where we were welcomed like old friends.

We received official guest badges and the day’s itinerary, all delivered with genuine warmth and open arms.

One of my favorite photos from the whole retreat is of our enthusiastic greeter—arms raised in excitement—ready to kick off a full day of behind-the-scenes inspiration.

Touring the Stonewall Kitchen Photography Studio

First on the agenda was a visit to Stonewall Kitchen’s in-house photography studio, and for a home decor blogger like me, it was an absolute dream.

My eye was instantly drawn to an entire wall of props—plates, platters, bowls, and linens—carefully organized by shape, size, and texture, all used daily for catalog shoots and campaigns.

The attention to detail was astounding, and I couldn’t stop snapping photos of this beautifully curated styling wall.

We learned how everything from plate depth to color temperature affects the final image.

The team gave us a full walk-through of their process—from food styling and layout to lighting and post-production.

Watching sandwiches being styled and photographed while their head photographer worked live on-screen was one of the most fascinating parts of the day.

And here’s a little Stonewall magic I didn’t expect to learn: the brand’s Creative Director personally hand-draws all of their holiday packaging—no clip art involved.

And one of the original founders, Jonathan, actually hand-lettered so many of their first product labels that the company turned his handwriting into a custom font still used on their packaging today.

It’s those thoughtful, artisan touches that make this brand feel so personal and so rooted in its New England beginnings.

Behind the Scenes at Stonewall Kitchen York Maine with CEO John Stiker

How many CEOs take the time to personally tour a group of bloggers and content creators around their company campus? Not many—but Stonewall Kitchen’s CEO, John Stiker, did just that. Casual in khaki shorts and a sweatshirt, John spent his morning guiding us around the Stonewall Kitchen flagship campus in York, Maine, sharing the heart, history, and humor behind this beloved New England brand.

Our tour kicked off with the Stonewall Kitchen Company Store, where John gave us insight into how the customer experience is designed—from product placement to storytelling.

Then it was on to one of my favorite parts of the day: a peek inside their merchandising room. Think of it as a behind-the-scenes playbook for seasonal display planning, complete with sample setups and future marketing themes.

We gathered around a whiteboard filled with playful slogans like “A Walk on the Beach,” “Mint Mayhem,” and “Splish Splash”—each one crafted to inspire upcoming displays across their stores.

It was fascinating to see just how much thought goes into even the smallest details of the in-store experience.

Inside the Stonewall Kitchen Manufacturing Facility

Next, we visited Stonewall Kitchen’s production facility, where the magic (and the jam) happens.

A large sign greeted us at the entrance, listing what was being made that day—everything from Wild Maine Blueberry Jam and Blueberry Champagne Jam to Cucumber Dill Bloody Mary Mixer.

Through tall glass windows, we caught glimpses of the factory floor in action. Seeing the behind-the-scenes of the bottling and batching process gave me a whole new appreciation for the care and quality that goes into every jar and bottle.

Lunch with Stonewall Kitchen—Also Known as “GorgeFest”

By this point in the day, our appetites were in full swing—just in time for what the Stonewall Kitchen team affectionately calls “GorgeFest.”

This in-house tradition is led by Head Chef Brendan, who prepares gourmet meals using—you guessed it—Stonewall Kitchen’s own products. And yes, it was every bit as amazing as it sounds.

The kitchen itself is a centerpiece of the corporate offices, completely enclosed in glass so you can watch as dishes are prepared and plated in real time. It’s like a food show, but in real life—and with lunch at the end!

Dinner & Cocktails with Stonewall Kitchen York Maine at Wiggly Bridge Distillery

After a relaxing afternoon break, we gathered again—this time at Wiggly Bridge Distillery in York, Maine—for an unforgettable evening of food, cocktails, and conversation.

Chef Brendan returned for another Stonewall Kitchen GorgeFest, preparing a series of incredible dishes, each thoughtfully paired with custom cocktails created by the distillery using Stonewall Kitchen ingredients.

One of my favorite pairings of the night? The Bada Bing Cherries and April’s Maple Crunch—two flavors I didn’t expect to fall for, but now can’t stop thinking about!

I was surprised to learn earlier in the day that the Bada Bing Cherries are Stonewall Kitchen’s top seller—and after tasting them, it’s easy to see why. Sweet, rich, and just the right amount of indulgent.

Conclusion: A New England Retreat to Remember

My time at the Stonewall Kitchen Retreat in York, Maine, was nothing short of inspiring—from blueberry jam and merchandising walls to grilled muffins, creative cocktails, and thoughtful design. This iconic New England brand truly offers more than just gourmet food—it’s a lifestyle, rooted in community, creativity, and charm.

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or you’ve been a fan for years, I hope this behind-the-scenes look gives you a new appreciation for everything that goes into the Stonewall Kitchen experience. And if you’re ever in southern Maine, be sure to stop by their flagship campus—you just might leave with a few new favorites of your own.

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