Kate Winslow and business partner Steve Termine have opened a new market in Boothbay.

At Wanser's Natural Market, the first of its kind for the area, all of the products they sell are organic and natural. And many of them are gluten-free.

Winslow is from the Boothbay area, but had lived elsewhere for several years. She came back four years ago.

Winslow said she saw a need for an outlet of this kind in the Boothbay area.

She talked to a friend who owns a natural foods market.

“I said, ‘This area would be a great place to expand and open a business.’” Her friend told her she thought that had been tried before and it wouldn't sustain itself.

Winslow persevered.

“I think she was right, but I think that in the past four years things have changed. And I think that now it will sustain.”

Winslow said she realizes that business will slow down during the winter months, but she and Termine want to remain open year-round.

“It's not just a summer business. This is for the community and we want to emphasize we are here to help and serve the local community, and their suggestions are welcome and greatly appreciated.”

She said she has been getting feedback from people who have stopped in and has taken most of their suggestions to heart, ordering supplies that are in demand.

Everything on the shelves is 90-95 percent USDA certified organic. And if it's not, it's gluten-free.

Aside from the packaged organic goods, the market sells grains, nuts, seeds, spices and flours in bulk.

Among the Maine products at the market are milk, yogurt, cheese, eggs and bread from Tide Mill Farm in Edmunds, Thirty Acre Farm in Whitefield, Mainely Poultry in Warren, The Milk House in South China and Caldwell Beef in Turner.

Brand names that can be found in the market are Earth's Best, Annie’s, Glutino, Bob's Red Mill, King Arthur’s, Against the Grain and Frontier.

The market opened “softly” on Aug. 7 and Winslow is optimistic.

“I feel like if we do a good job and people have a nice experience here and they share that with their friends, that's probably more valuable to us than (promoting ourselves) at this time.”

Wanser's natural Market is in Boothbay Center next to Prints Charming. The phone number is 207-633-7600.