“When you support a small business you are supporting a dream,” sums up the attitudes of two Downeast sisters and business owners.
     The Bluebird Ranch Family Restaurant and Berry Vines in Machias are a few hundred steps away from one another on opposite sides of Route 1. Given a year like 2020 and the sense of foreboding that now awaits business, owners Bethany Foss and Debra Sternbergh are OK as long as they can get through it together.
     The Prout family has owned the Bluebird Ranch since 1996, and today Bethany Foss guides the business with the same edict since the beginning -- treat customers like family and provide home style meals to the community. "Meals and memories are made here," says Foss.
     Berry Vines began 14 years ago and is a full service florist and gift shop offering a variety of products from local crafters as well as men's formal wear rentals.
     For both sisters, 2020 is a year they do not want to repeat. The "unknown" was what kept many area business owners up at night, including Foss and Sternbergh. "This past year has taught us patience and kindness," says Foss.
     Business in 2020 at the Bluebird Ranch dropped 35%, and at Berry Vines it dropped significantly due to events such as weddings, proms and graduations being cancelled or postponed. Both sisters agree that visitors to the area during the summer and over the holidays were down significantly and noted a change in summer visitors. "We saw quite a few visitors from the New England area this summer where in previous years we saw folks from all over, " says Sternbergh.
     "We made it through 2020 for a number of reasons, but the most significant reason we are still here is because of the continued support from our customers and community," she says. "Towards the end of the year we saw more folks shopping small business and staying local, and we were very grateful for that."
     From a community that goes out of its way to support local business, to business owners collaborating and helping when needed, the year 2020, though costly, unexpected and frightening, seemed to bring out the best in people and area businesses, and Bluebird Ranch and Berry Vines credit their survival to residents being more committed to shopping locally.

PPP and sisterly support
     The Bluebird Ranch closed in March 2020 for one month while Berry Vines operated via curbside pickup and home delivery only. Both owners utilized the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). "We did lay off three employees," says Sternbergh. "But we were able to rehire once the PPP funding arrived during the second cycle it was being offered."
     Though she had no layoffs, Foss did lose some employees to other business opportunities. "We did cut our menu size, which resulted in less staff," says Foss. "Also due to school closings our student staff members could fill in when needed and work more hours."
     The thread that seems to run through many local businesses is family. The sisters value the business acumen they received growing up and the mutual support. "Our strong business background began with our parents owning a poultry farm and then a trucking company," says Sternbergh. "We learned a lot about how to run a successful business and the hard work it takes to make it successful. With that being said, it is nice to have someone with the same ethic to bounce ideas off of and share experiences."
     "Being right down the road from one another we rely on each other for certain products, wholesale sources and sometimes we even share an employee or two," says Foss, such as when Berry Vines needs a ready supply of baked goods for its gift baskets or lends a hand by filling in when asked. "With Debbie so close, she's never afraid to jump into action at the restaurant during a snowstorm or other emergency when another set of skilled hands is needed," she says.

Thoughts for future business owners
      “Beth and I are constantly swapping ideas to try and boost business and improve sales," says Sternbergh. The sisters agree that adapting, being ready for change and rethinking strategies are a must in any business environment. Both now have online ordering available and have seen an uptick in those orders.
     To those thinking about starting a business venture, the sisters offer this advice: "Anyone willing to work hard, put in long hours and who is truly committed to their business can be successful. It takes time and perseverance, and we believe that it is important to have a good business plan in place and to build strong relationships with your customers. Plus a sister nearby doesn't hurt."