Jason and Jennifer Grass have turned a love of peppers into a thriving business at The Hill Gardens in Fort Fairfield, crafting more than 27 varieties of hot sauce ranging from mild blends to their fiery Dragon’s Breath. What began as a backyard pepper patch and a homemade experiment in 2020 has grown into a successful business with customers across Maine and as far away as California.
As demand increased, the couple made an unexpected move by cutting their retail presence from more than 20 stores to just a handful. They found that chasing wholesale orders was taking the joy out of creating their products, and some stores weren’t giving the sauces the attention they deserved. By focusing on strong partnerships, direct sales, and their online store, they’ve doubled their wholesale business while enjoying more time to develop new recipes.
The Hill Gardens is known for unique flavor combinations that include berries, apples, maple, cinnamon, pumpkins, and even plantains. The couple also recently introduced hot sauce tasting challenge boxes, giving customers a guided way to sample increasingly spicy sauces. Despite their growth, they remain committed to the Presque Isle Farmers Market, where they continue to support fellow local vendors and connect directly with customers. [source]
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