Mexicali Blues Blog

Mexicali Blues is shifting all store packaging to 100% Recycled Bags and Boxes with no dying and a minimum of 80% post consumer material.  With our web orders we continue to reuse our own receiving materials  and at this time are not creating web specific packaging.

Any requests, ideas or must have items?  If you don’t see something in our stores or online please post comments here and we will make an effort to find it on our next buying trip.  Maybe your comment will inspire other folks to post in support or with another great idea.

Since we don’t have a traditional message board, but love hearing travel stories, we started this simple post that you can add to with your own travel stories. Please hit comment below and continue a thread of travel stories?

After nearly 20 years of business in Maine, Mexicali Blues is dramatically increasing its retail operations with its grand opening of a 3000-square-foot store in the heart of Freeport, Maine. The new location is a natural progression for Mexicali Blues made possible by the success of its three other stores filled with Mexicali’s own clothing line, sterling silver jewelry collections, plantation-harvested teak furniture, interior décor and giftware. From the first store on Exchange St. it has experienced steady growth in its stores in Raymond and Newcastle and has a thriving ecommerce website www.mexicaliblues.com.

Each store is a truly fascinating shopping experience, and Freeport is no exception. Upon entering Mexicali, customers are greeted warmly by a knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff and find themselves transported to the international marketplaces from which Mexicali has responsibly imported its merchandise. Mexicali Blues’ Freeport location might be considered a boutique space, but it has more merchandise to offer than most large outlet stores in an effort to be just as inclusive as an artisan’s street-side kiosk in a far-off land. Owners Peter and Kim Erskine pride themselves upon importing with a mindset of having “a little bit of something for everyone.” By traveling directly to the markets and meeting with the artisans and families who create the merchandise in Central America or Asia, Mexicali Blues feels confident that every aspect of their business embraces responsibility. Nearly everything is a by-product of a buying trip, and each garment has a Mexicali Blues tag explaining responsible buying habits and identifying which garments are now certified fair trade. Because Mexicali Blues uses its direct-supply chain rather than middle men, they are not only able to pass savings on to the customer, but can provide truly unique lines that will not be found elsewhere.

Over the course of its 20 years in business, Mexicali has outgrown its original “hippie-shop” image with a corresponding youth clientele. With the addition of higher-end jewelry and clothing, which appeal to a wider range of customers, Mexicali Blues selected Freeport as the logical site for its newest store location. According to Erskine, “Not only will the new store increase profits, but also our branding efforts in terms of increased visibility and awareness of our own label and line of clothing, as well as our company logo.” Of course, Mexicali still has a great selection of tie-dyes and band t-shirts, but roughly 50% of their sales are from imported clothing, 80% of which are in women’s fashions. Mexicali Blues also has one of Maine’s largest collections of sterling silver gemstone jewelry, another large component of their sales. Each Mexicali store has a unique jewelry selection made up of over 150 gem varieties including tourmaline and lapis. The abundant assortment of eclectic gifts, jewelry, and apparel from around the world as well as the enthusiasm of their staff are what make Mexicali stand out among other import stores.

The Freeport location at 10 Bow St. will have a formal ribbon cutting at 4:30 pm on Friday August 24, 2007, and grand opening specials all weekend. Additionally, a Labor Day Outdoor Clearance Bonanza as well as a 25%-off, in-store sale will take place exclusively at the Freeport store.

Check out Mexicali Blues at http://www.mexicaliblues.com or in any of their four locations in Maine; Portland, Newcastle, Raymond or Freeport.

New Fall Fashions are hitting the web and the stores! And our always evolving website has new condensed menu’s for easier direct navigation to find them at MexicaliBlues.com.

Here Amanda is modeling a Peruvian Blouse with a long Indian Skirt, both are now available online or in our stores. (Blouse $20 / Skirt $22)

If you are curious after hearing our recent radio campaign where our Freeport location is look no further. We are proud to now be open at 10 Bow. St. across the street from Patagonia and Horny Toad, next door to J. Crew and Zales and just steps down the road from good old LL Bean. If you are more of a visual thinker checkout the pics scattered throughout our Blog or at mexicaliblues.com.