Mad Gab's Lip Balm Hits 702 Publix Stores Across the Southeast

Mad Gab's, the woman-owned lip and body balm company based in Yarmouth, Maine, has expanded its retail footprint into 702 Publix supermarket locations across eight Southeastern states. The October 2026 rollout brings three of the brand's lip care products to shoppers in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky, coinciding with Mad Gab's 35th anniversary. Founded in 1991 by Gabrielle Melchionda, the company began with a batch of lip balm made in her mother's Massachusetts kitchen using beeswax from a neighbor. From there, Melchionda sold products to natural food stores from the trunk of her car, eventually growing the business into a brand carried by major grocery and specialty retailers.

"Joining the assortment at Publix is an incredible milestone as we celebrate our 35th anniversary," Melchionda said. "When I made that first batch with beeswax from a neighbor, I never imagined we'd someday be selling our products in Publix. As a Maine brand, we're excited to meet a whole new crowd of chapped lips, and maybe reconnect with a few snowbirds who already know us." The Publix assortment features three products on in-store Lip Care Power Panels: USDA Certified Organic Lip Butter in Peach Mango, USDA Certified Organic Lip Butter in Watermelon Sorbet, and SPF 15 Lip Balm in Minty Mint. Mad Gab's Organic Lip Butters combine organic olive oil and beeswax with nourishing shea butter, cocoa butter, and other moisturizing ingredients for a smooth, creamy feel without the greasy or waxy finish. The Minty Mint SPF 15 Lip Balm pairs moisturizing ingredients with sun protection.

Some Southeastern shoppers may already recognize Mad Gab's from retailers such as Whole Foods Market, Wegmans, Ingles Markets, and independent shops. Adding 702 Publix locations significantly expands the brand's retail presence throughout the Southeast, introducing its lip care products to communities across eight states. Products are available at participating Publix stores on Lip Care Power Panels, with placement varying by location. Shoppers can use the Mad Gab's store locator to find nearby retailers and are encouraged to check with individual stores for availability. Beyond its products, Mad Gab's supports young entrepreneurs through Incubating Innovators, a program that works with local schools and a farmers market to help teens develop business ideas, create products, learn marketing, and experience selling to customers.