Year of Renew

On Thursday, January 22nd, the Brunswick Downtown Association welcomed more than 130 community leaders and stakeholders to its Annual Celebration at Mills Hall on Bowdoin College’s campus. The evening marked a moment of reflection and forward momentum, framed by this year’s theme, “Year of Renew.”

As one of 10 Nationally Accredited Main Street Programs in the State of Maine, designated by Main Street America, the BDA used the evening to acknowledge a year of fresh energy and intentional growth. The theme recognized the new office team and the focused work underway to build upon the strong foundation that has long supported downtown Brunswick.

Guests gathered over heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks before hearing a Year in Review presentation from Executive Director Reilly Kons, highlighting key accomplishments and setting the stage for the year ahead. The program also included a Brunswick Minute from Town Manager Julia Henze, who shared updates on projects shaping the downtown landscape and Brunswick’s broader future.

During the celebration, the BDA also voted in five new members to its Board of Directors, strengthening the organization’s leadership with a diverse mix of community perspectives and expertise. The new board members include Tom Barter, a longtime local resident; Lisa Tran McKee, owner of Nest; Courtney Mongell, owner of Mare Brook Farm; Hannah Josselyn, owner of Reverie Coffee House; and Tony Sprague, a longtime employee of Bowdoin College.

Reflecting on the year, Kons shared, “I recently celebrated my first year as Executive Director, a year that also brought two new staff members to our team. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together and excited to continue building on that momentum as we respond to the needs of our amazing community.”

The celebration concluded with the presentation of annual awards honoring outstanding contributions to downtown vitality:

• Volunteer of the Year: Tony Sprague, recognized for his dedication to assisting with BDA events, serving as a thoughtful partner on the Events Committee, and acting as a liaison to Bowdoin College.

• Business of the Year: The Abbey, honored for recently being named one of the Best New Bars in the U.S. by the James Beard Foundation and for their commitment to supporting the economic vitality of neighboring businesses through initiatives like Brunswick Wine Week.

• Member of the Year: The Brunswick Hotel, celebrated as a key strategic partner across many BDA events throughout the year.

The evening was a reflection of the BDA’s mission: “To promote Downtown Brunswick and our community as a vibrant and attractive place to live, work, play and do business.” It was also a reminder that downtown’s success is rooted in collaboration, shared vision, and continued investment.

If you are interested in sponsoring one of the BDA’s flagship events in 2026 or supporting the organization in another way, please reach out to Reilly Kons today at director@brunswickdown.org