WATERVILLE — Amanda Sammon and Karissa Tonn have been friends for over 25 years. That bond led the two to take their friendship in a new direction: owning a business together. That business is Emerald and Elm and carries all kinds of gift items.
“If it is something that could be a gift, we likely carry it or will in the future,” Sammon said of the Waterville store. “We sell hand-made ceramic mugs, clothing, soup mixes, dip mixes, kitchen accessories and home décor.”
Emerald and Elm opened in December 2024. It is open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays The duo plans to extend hours over the summer and also will be open Thursdays and Fridays.
Right now Sammon and Tonn are the stores’ s only employees, but that will change in the future.
“We’re going to have some relatives working with us this summer,” Sammon said. “Then we’ll be able to expand our hours during the warmer months.”
Sammon and Tonn christened their store Emerald and Elm for a couple of reasons. Both share Irish heritage and are connected through the Sammon name. Tonn and Sammon’s husband are first cousins, and their family name is Irish, thus “Emerald” is a nod to the Emerald Isle. Elm is a symbol for their long enduring friendship.
Items for sale at Emerald and Elm range from soup mixes to purses and earrings to hand-crafted wooden spoons. The store hosts events as well. In January, a Cabin Fever event featured soup and dip samples for customers who wanted to get out of the house for a while.
The friends tossed around the idea of owning a business for almost a decade. When an opportunity presented itself for the shop to become a reality, the two ran with it and said everything has fallen into place since that time. Sammon and Tonn worked together previously at another local business and went into owning their business with a shared working relationship.
“Our personalities and interests complement each other. Some of the challenges we’ve faced starting the business are figuring out what to carry and what our business hours should be. But we are so thankful for the support we’ve gotten from our friends and family,” Tonn said.
Each woman brings something unique to the store. Sammon’s passion is decorating and design and she loves to take spaces and transform them into something inviting and warm. Tonn’s love of unique kitchen gadgets and natural living has inspired many of the items available in the gift shop.
In addition to Emerald and Elm, Sammon works for an insurance company, the Elysian Agency, and Tonn is employed by her husband’s mechanic business, Tonn’s Repair in Waterville.
One of the perks of the new business is watching a customer find something they like and seeing the excitement and joy on their face when they choose a gift for a loved one. Another perk is the feeling of being able to help support a community they both love.
Sammon said, “We just want to be successful and give back to the community. Investing in our small town area is very important to us. We chose to stay here and raise our kids in a close-knit community.”
Although Emerald and Elm is still a new business, customers are already singing the store’s praises. Megan Lamont is an enthusiastic customer who buys clothing, dips and beer bread mixes. Lamont’s husband enlisted Emerald and Elm’s help this past Valentine’s Day when Sammon and Tonn put together a gift for him to give to his wife.
“What truly sets Emerald and Elm apart is their personal touch. Amanda and Karissa go above and beyond to make sure when you walk in, you aren’t just a customer. You are genuinely welcomed like a friend,” Lamont said.
Heather Suemnick is another satisfied customer. “The store has a little of everything with amazingly friendly owners. It’s a great place to find gifts for someone special in your life.”
Emerald and Elm is a family affair. Sammon’s mom, Brenda, has antiques and vintage items for sale in the store and Tonn’s mother, Pam, has hand-crocheted items available at Emerald and Elm.
“Our family has been so supportive of us,” Sammon said.