Local Buckfield Business Aims to Serve, Inspire, and Grow

By Alexis Sears

10-7-25

Tiltons Market has been a big part of Buckfield since 1939. It was first opened by Gilbert Tilton and stayed in the Tilton family for decades before being bought by its current owners in 2014. The current owner started out as a special education teacher. “I worked in Vermont and Maine and earned my master’s in education,” she said. “After 18 years in education, my family and I decided to buy Tilton’s Market.” This isn’t her first business, though. 

Before owning Tilton’s, she started a summer camp in Lewiston called Camp Discovery, which served 80 to 100 students each summer. Running a small business has its challenges. “It can be hard to find enough employees, and prices have gone up for almost everything,” she explained. “But we’re lucky to have such strong community support.”

The store also has exciting plans ahead. “We’re bringing in new shelving, freezers, and coolers,” she said. “We just want to make Tilton’s a better place for both employees and customers.” When asked if she planned to expand to other towns, she smiled and said, “This is just Tilton’s in Buckfield. One is enough for us.  Tiltons Market continues to be a proud part of Buckfield’s history, showing that with hard work and community spirit, local businesses can truly thrive. Local Buckfield Business Aims to Serve, Inspire, and Grow