Business Spotlight: Causeway Commons LLC

Make sure to circle Friday, June 20th on your calendar! That morning at 10 a.m. there will be a celebration of the ribbon cutting for Causeway Commons, an exciting new business in Naples. The ribbon-cutting will kick off a three-day grand opening celebration you won’t want to miss!

Causeway Commons is located at 978
Roosevelt Trail in Naples and is a one-stop
shop for grab-and-go food, beverages, candy,
snacks, gifts, home décor, jewelry, Maine
merchandise, art, pottery, souvenirs and
much more. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Located at 978 Roosevelt Trail in Naples, Causeway Commons is a one-stop shop for grab-and-go food, beverages, candy, snacks, gifts, home décor, jewelry, Maine merchandise, art, pottery, souvenirs and much more. The shop will be open year-round and feature a curated blend of Maine crafters, artists and makers.

Owned and created by Sunny Lovejoy Quintal, she says that Causeway Commons will be a unique destination for shopping and gathering with friends in the Lakes Region.

“We are a ‘vendor mall’ mixed with a blend of curated souvenirs, gifts, home decor, jewelry, and more by Maine crafters, makers, authors, bakers, and artists,” Quintal said. “We will also have grab-and-go food focusing on sandwiches and salads in the summer and heat-and-eat comfort foods which can be purchased by our locals on their commute home from work for dinner with their families.”

Quintal said that Causeway Commons will have seating set up for people in nice weather to enjoy their grab-and-go food there on site if they would like along with a space for relaxation year-round inside.

“We are going to have Cornhole boards, a cozy fire pit, and Adirondack chairs set up where people can gather, relax and enjoy their food – or simply unwind while others in their group explore all of the great offerings inside,” she said. “This summer we will be hosting a couple of pop-up markets for farmers and makers, and we hope to make arrangements to host a farmers’ market in “The Clearing,” the backyard of Causeway Commons, regularly next summer.”

Along with that, Quintal said Causeway Commons will be employing four to five people and will also have a “classroom” available for people to rent out for hosting classes such as wreath making, floral arranging, and paint-and-sips.

“I'll also be renting the attached single-family home for the 2026 season as a short-term rental called Lakeside Retreat,” Quintal said. “It’s a 3-bedroom, 2.5 bath house that is across the street from the public beach. It will sleep six to eight adults with plenty of room for kids as well.”

According to Quintal, what will distinguish Causeway Commons from other local businesses will be an emphasis on Maine-made products as well as the fact that the intent is to stay open year-round to be a place not only for tourists, but also for residents of the Lakes Region. The shop will feature over 30 Maine based vendors and counting and the store has been recognized as a “Maine Made Certified Retailer,” a designation which is recognized worldwide for quality and integrity.

Quintal grew up in Windham and says that she has always loved the Naples Causeway. She graduated from Windham High School and Saint Joseph's College of Maine where she met her late husband, Dave (“Q”) when he was a baseball player there. Dave unfortunately passed away in September 2020 from a massive heart attack. Losing Dave was obviously life-changing for Sunny. With the support of their community, she continued to raise their daughter, Makayla, in Gorham. Makayla graduated from Gorham High School in 2024 and recently completed her freshman year at Saint Joseph's College, proudly following in her father’s footsteps – both academically and as a member of the Monks’ softball team.

“I was in the commercial insurance industry for 16-plus years and mortgages for five years prior to that,” Quintal said. “Now is my time to pursue my creative side and fulfill my entrepreneurial spirit.”

She said excitement for the opening of Causeway Commons is evident by the rising number of vendors joining to connect, collaborate and grow while offering the finest handmade, creative and unique products. Some of those vendors include Purple Mango Jewelry; SnowFire Hollow Orchard; artist Margaret Ford; handmade home décor by AS&G Studios; Woodworks by Wendy; Campfire Club; and By-B arts and crafts, among many others.

Summer house hours will be from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily and after Labor Day they will be open 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily.

For more details about Causeway Commons, visit www.causewaycommons.com or find them on Facebook. <

Business Spotlight: Delano Architecture

By Lorraine Glowczak

It may be true that most architectural firms combine engineering, science and technology to design homes and commercial spaces - but at Delano Architecture, the “art of space” has become their mission of how they think differently about creating custom designed buildings.  

“When people dream about building a home, they often start by thinking of a particular style,” began Delano. “But we think of the process very differently. We love the diverse landscape of Maine, so we look first at it to inspire us.” 

Delano studies the entire property for unique features, such as the trees, topography, the quality of sunlight, any distant views, or special places on the property. “We are listeners first before we begin any design,” stated Delano. “We find out what is important to our clients, both in the present and for the future.” 

Surprisingly, Delano works out the living spaces first.  “Our top priority is creating beautiful spaces for people that connect seamlessly with nature. The interiors come first, then the outside forms - this surprises many people.” 

Delano’s passion for art and architecture began in high school while taking art classes. “My art teacher told me directly, ‘Chris, you are going to be an architect.’  I think I already knew it, but having a mentor be so direct, gave me the clear confidence to go ‘all in’ with it.

Delano, who is originally from upstate New York, received his Bachelor of Arts in architecture from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA and a Master of Architecture at the University of Washington in Seattle. After living in Maryland and North Carolina, Delano and his wife moved to Maine in 2002, making Windham their permanent home in 2003 with their three children. “I had developed a fondness for Maine as a child by vacationing every year near Castine with my grandparents and family,” he stated. “I was an early riser then and used to spend hours walking the rocks along Penobscot Bay and in the woods before my parents woke up. The stillness and quality of light in the early morning is something I still can’t get enough of.  I bring those memories into every home we design.” 

Since his time here, Delano Architecture’s highly-regarded reputation has grown substantially, designing homes, waterfront and hospitality projects in many parts of the state, winning a citation award from AIA (American Institute of Architects) with feature articles in the Portland Press Herald and Maine Home and Design magazine for the design of a new house in Gorham and the recently completed, Roots Café in Westbrook.

Chris Delano

Delano begins the process with his clients by pulling together a ‘wish list’ of their goals and ideas, and adding in photos of spaces and materials—things they like from all areas of their life.  They use these images, ideas, and a realistic budget to establish a course and to give them direction in the design process. They use this information and start with the big ideas first, layering in more detail as the clients see success. “We are very visual,” stated Delano. “We bring in all kinds of drawings and models to both generate and present ideas. We place these in the center of the table with our clients and then talk about them, the good and bad, where they come from, and why they matter. It moves forward and back like this until we hit all our targets.”

‘We are passionate about buildings’ the website states.  Truth be told, Delano is passionate about many things—people, nature, science, art, cities, mountaintops…  For them, buildings are the way of engaging with these things.  “They are the touch-points for our relationships, activities and the natural world,” Delano said.  “Regrettably, I think many homes miss this potential.”   

One local client, Steve and Pam Rich, speaks highly of the Delano process. “Chris was able to take our thoughts and ideas to create the home of our dreams. … we can’t thank him enough.” 

If you are considering a new home, renovation, or business and wish to incorporate the “art of space” into the process, Delano Architecture can meet all your needs – as well as respecting Maine’s natural beauty. For more information, contact Chris Delano at 207-892-1643, chris@delanoarchitecture.com or peruse the website at www.delanoarchitecture.com. Also be sure to follow him on Instagram.