Donna and Erik Peterson’s new business Ourport Workspace is Boothbay Harbor’s latest downtown business. The Petersons are also among the newest of Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce’s partnerships since the beginning of the year and, on March 6, became the latest to participate in the Chamber’s new ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Ourport is a series of four private offices and one semi-private office in the freshly renovated 5 Oak St. property. “We saw the possibility ... and we decided to take that vision and plug it into this location,” said Erik. “I thought, you know, Boothbay Harbor doesn't have anything like this and with COVID, we were aware there are so many more people working for the whole summer here. Either they're camping here or they're moving here from other places and don't always have a place to work while working remotely. Lots of people don't like working out of their house.”

The Petersons have owned the building nearly two years and Ourport takes over the space of the former Aura hair salon, said Donna. The couple owns an architectural firm out of Portland and Kennebunk. In Kennebunk, they also own a three-office building they rent out as private office space.

When asked why Boothbay Harbor, Donna said the area is the couple’s escape, and they saw the need for a place for professionals without a dedicated workspace. “Originally we were thinking of coworking, but because of COVID we realized coworking was a terrible idea right now, so we decided to do the private offices instead … The offices are perfect for entrepreneurs, start-up or micro businesses, sole proprietors, or as an alternative to working remotely or at home. The location is fantastic …”

The offices are available at six-month or one-year memberships, and memberships include amenities such as a new HVAC system which heats, cools and filters all air, a video conferencing room, high speed WiFi, around the clock access, free wireless copy and printing, coffee, a snack bar with a refrigerator and dishwasher, and a lounge area and cleaning service.

Said Erik, “If we've got two people already in the dead of winter, I'm feeling good that once the word gets out, the weather improves and life comes back to the area, I think it'll work out … Hey, we only need five people who think it works.”