About APPLL
We are the Association to Preserve + Protect Local Livelihoods, and we’re taking a stand for Bar Harbor.
Mt. Desert Island’s “Capital City” of Bar Harbor has been welcoming visitors from near and far for generations. From the gilded-age cottages of the late 19th century to the boom of automobile tourism post-WWII, our town has grown by leaps and bounds with small, thriving businesses whose efforts, together with the unmatched beauty of our natural environment have made Bar Harbor one of the top destinations in North America.
Now, as a hallmark of the so-called New England/Canada itinerary, Bar Harbor is a popular stop for fall cruisers hailing from home ports of New York and Boston. In the fall, many ships travel up the Maine coast and into the Saint Lawrence Seaway, visiting Eastern Canadian ports terminating in Québec City or Montréal before returning to the US. This itinerary has become among the most popular in North America for many popular cruise lines, including Holland America, Celebrity, and Princess.
Tourism has supported our local businesses, which, in turn, support parks, streets, hospitals, schools, libraries, and vital services, ultimately insuring our year-round standard of living. As a community, we value the prosperity and growth brought about by tourism. With this in mind, it is crucial to safeguard and maintain the well-being of our town and its citizens. To achieve this goal, we must collaborate and make sound, rational choices that benefit everyone.
APPLL is an independent group of citizens and businesses that have come together to preserve and protect local livelihoods. Our objectives today and always have been to foster collaboration among our members and the community to present a cohesive case advocating for a welcoming spirit toward visitors, no matter who they are or how they arrive.
At APPLL, we aim to present a cohesive front in advocating for reasonable measures to safeguard and enhance economic well-being for our region. We seek to offer a platform for members who may not have the means to advocate for themselves. Our efforts will persist in empowering residents, business owners, and employees to advocate for practical solutions that benefit all.
APPLL Board of Directors
Kristi Bond, President
Kristi Bond is a native Mainer who has lived and worked in Bar Harbor since 1999. Upon moving to MDI, she met her husband, Jeremy Bond, who shared her love of MDI, and they decided they wanted to put down roots, raise their family, and continue in the family restaurant business. Since 2004, they have owned and operated five restaurants, several retail establishments, and, most recently, have added employee housing and rental properties to their portfolio. They have three daughters who attend school locally and are involved with the local YMCA. Kristi is passionate about local civic and community matters and ensuring Bar Harbor can offer opportunities to all now and in the future.
Eben Salvatore, Treasurer
Eben is a 9th generation Mainer who was born in Bar Harbor. He is a direct descendent of the Pineo family, a well known Bar Harbor family from the late 1880's. He has worked in the hospitality industry for more than 20 years. He has also been a Board member of the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce for more than 20 years, and has a long history of advocating for business community in Bar Harbor. Currently he also sits on the YMCA Board, is a member of the Parking Solutions Task Force, and is Chair of the Business Round Table. He was also recently elected to the Warrant Committee, a position he has held previously.
"It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of APPLL. The business community is important to Bar Harbor for many reasons. It is the center of our economy and our community. This group can really be a positive force for our Town for years to come," Eben says.
Shawn Porter
Shawn Porter grew up in Patten, Maine. Her mother was a nurse, and her grandfather and father owned and operated a woodworking business. She moved to Bar Harbor in 1995, spending summers during college until moving permanently in 1998. In the past 27 years, IShawn has scooped ice cream, waited tables, taught at MDES, and now runs three retail stores with her husband (Loren), son (Brennan, 23), and daughter (Ella, 19). 2023 will be year 32 for Little Village Gifts. The family has worked hard to build a successful family-owned and operated businesses. Shawn hopes to continue to benefit from hard work and success for future generations.
Heather Davis
Heather Himes Davis was raised in Bar Harbor along with her four sisters, all of whom reside in the area. She and her husband, Arthur, own Geddys, Geddy’s Down-Under and Geddy’s By The Sea. Having been in business for over 30 years, Geddy’s now employs approximately 90 employees during the season – in large part, due to the cruise ship industry. With a strong background in marketing and retail sales, Heather embraces the communities in which she lives, serving on PTA school boards and giving back to others. She is passionate about supporting Bar Harbor and helping to sustain the economic viability of the town for generations to come. As the proud mother of two teenage boys, Heather is raising her family with Maine core values – strong work ethics, healthy habits, service to others, … and the love of the outdoors.
“As a national park and Conde Nast Traveler top destination, Bar Harbor has always been a popular tourist vacation spot. It is renowned for its welcoming New England hospitality … and inclusion of all – whether coming by land, air, or sea. And it should remain a place for everyone,” Heather says.
Tom Testa
A lifelong resident of and native of Bar Harbor, Mr. Testa is president and CEO of Testa’s, Inc., which includes Testa’s Restaurant, founded in Bar Harbor in 1934 by his grandfather, Michele F. Testa Sr. Mr. Testa’s family ties in Bar Harbor and Hancock County date to the 1790s. His great grandfather, Thomas F. Moran, and partners Charles Pineo and Edward Rodick, and their collective families, established businesses and provided services to many of Bar Harbor’s first visitors in the 1880s.