The board of directors of the Retail Association of Maine recently chose Mexicali Blues of Newcastle, Maine as its 2013 Retailer of the Year.

The award will be presented at the Retail Association of Maine’s 80th annual meeting on Friday, Nov. 8 at The Regency Hotel & Spa in Portland.

The Retailer of the Year Award has three main criteria: continued growth in employees or sales; commitment of company resources to community projects; and creation of a positive work environment for all employees. Mexicali Blues surpassed the criteria on all counts.

While a great number of qualified retailers were considered, Mexicali Blues was chosen because of exceptional local and global commitment and sustainability.

Mexicali Blues was founded by Pete and Kim Erskine in 1988 in Portland. The family business produces an exclusive line of products that range from self-branded clothing and jewelry, to home décor and gifts.

Mexicali Blues designs, manufactures and imports its products directly from Nepal, India, Thailand, Mexico, Guatemala and Indonesia. This vertically integrated business allows for the family to sell products at reasonable prices, while maintaining that all of their products are of quality craftsmanship.

“We like to be involved both locally here with different groups as well as internationally with people we buy from. We’ve been over there with our kids and sometimes they visit us here. We’ve worked hard for 25 years, but we enjoy what we do and that’s why it’s still a lot of fun for us,” said Pete Erskine, owner of Mexicali Blues.

From offering their full time employees 100 percent paid healthcare to reaching out to communities throughout the state, the involvement goes so deep, and is so rich, in every single aspect that is Mexicali Blues. In addition to local involvement, Mexicali Blues has provided donations and employee involvement for the Maine-founded Safe Passage charity, which empowers the poorest children of Guatemala.

“Mexicali Blues exudes a funky, independent vibe that helps personify what it means to be a successful Maine retailer. They continue to grow in Maine and invest in quality employees and products. The new headquarters in Newcastle gives them space to grow and will be a great addition to the community,” said Curtis Picard, Executive Director of the Retail Association of Maine.

Mexicali Blues currently has store locations in Newcastle, Portland, Raymond, Freeport and Bangor. The office, warehouse and website distribution center are in Newcastle.

The new store was dreamed up on a paper napkin by Erskine, and managed to forge into the design many of the exotic pieces collected over the last 25 years of travel. Combining recycled materials with energy efficient ones allowed for the Mexicali Blues team to create a serene, eco-friendly space that gives store guests a true cultural experience.

“One of the greatest things is the awesome team we have. We have lots of different people with different strengths,” said Erskine.

Pete and Kim Erskine have served on numerous boards over the years and now have the crucial and relevant task of serving on the Economic Development Committee in Newcastle.

This is one company, with such a powerful structure of amazing people behind it, not only is Mexicali Blues not going to slow down anytime soon, it’s going to be so much fun to watch and see what the coming years will bring.

In honor of the new flagship store on Route 1 in Newcastle, Mexicali Blues will be hosting a Grand Opening Celebration and 25th Anniversary Sale from Friday, Oct. 11, though Monday, Oct 14. As part of its relationship with Mexicali Blues, Lincoln Academy of Newcastle will be hosting an afternoon of music, entertainment, and delightful cultural food on Saturday, Oct. 12.

The Retail Association of Maine has presented the annual Retailer of the Year Award since 1980.  Other winners include Wild Oats Bakery & Café (2012), Cool As A Moose (2011), The Beadin’ Path (2010), Acadia Corporation (2009), Johnny’s Selected Seeds (2008), Stonewall Kitchen (2007), Hammond Lumber Company (2006), and Indian Hill Trading Post (2005).