DRC recognizes
downtown improvement efforts
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Officials with the Presque Isle Revitalization Committee hosted the organization’s first annual recognition celebration at the Northeastland Hotel on May 30.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
CATHY BEAULIEU, chair of the Downtown Revitalization Committee, speaks at the Northeastland Hotel during the first annual recognition celebration honoring downtown businesses and individuals for efforts to revitalize the heart of town. Listening at right is Leigh Smith, president of the organization.
DRC Chair Leigh Smith presented a number of certificates to area businesses, assisted by Jan Murchison, in honor of each establishment’s contributions to revitalizing the heart of town.
“Presque Isle’s downtown has changed over the last 10 years. Cathy (Beaulieu) and Patty (LeBlanc) really got things rolling,” said Smith, as he asked those in attendance to close their eyes and envision the changes that have occurred up and down Main Street, from the University of Maine at Presque Isle to the Park Street intersection.
“Many things have changed. People are washing windows, we have benches, flower buckets. The Braden opened and has drawn a lot of people downtown. Banners have been put up,” said Smith. “We’ve done a lot of small things; we don’t have a big budget. We rely on you and the improvements you’ve made.”
Smith said when people visit downtown businesses, it increases the value of the area. “That’s what we’re working toward,” he said.
Stakeholders in the downtown were recognized for their continued support, including business and property owners, Presque Isle Public Works Department and the Presque Isle Garden Club.
Smith acknowledged DRC board members and city officials for their efforts to improve the downtown.
Award presentations followed, with certificates presented to new businesses, as well as those who’ve made general improvements and other beautification efforts.
Honorees included: Chantal Graves, Merchants on the Corner; Nancy Nichols, Transformations; Chris and Cindy Johnson, The Cubby; Guy Turrell, Dragon Guy Tattoo; Wintergreen Arts Center; Theresa Bonville, Theresa’s Cafe; Salvation Army; Micah Desmond, Amato’s; Cafe Sorpreso; Allen and Kylie Bouchard, Bou’s Brew Pub; Gretchen Morse, Edward Jones; Tim Lavin, BalanceBPO; Eva Kirk, Hand-Me-Down Antiques; Edward Wright, Star City Coffee and Bella Salon; Pioneer Broadband; Sharon and Bill Gerrish, Bridgham Engineering; Ron Kofstead, Kofstead Agency; Pizza Box; Dr. Dick Graves; and Adam Swanson, Swanson Law.
“Arlen and Chris Dow, owners of the Braden Theater, have been a huge part of our effort. Movies are a great way to get people downtown,” said Smith.
Award presentations continued with: Jean Brawn, Oasis Salon; Carol Ayoob, Whole Potato Cafe; Terry Brewer, TWB Speech Therapy; Sherry Sullivan, Academy Salon; and Mandy Putnam, Zumba studio.
Those recognized for building improvements included: Sarah LeClair, LeClair Law Office; Cathy Beaulieu, Wilder’s Jewelry Store; Phil Halvorson, Country Collectibles; John and Heather Harvell, Wings’ building on State Street; Kirk Carroll, Carroll’s Auto Sales; Garry and Debbie Nelson Sr., and Jim and Lori Cavagnaro, who renovated the former Stevens, Engels and Bishop office building on Main Street; the Hedrich family, Northeastland Hotel; and the Elks Lodge.
Clukey’s Auto Supply also underwent “quite the transformation,” said Smith.
“Tom’s not here to accept but he knew the value in staying where he was. He stuck with it. It’s a great-looking place and here to stay,” said Smith.
The list of renovations continued, with: Rocky McHatten, for the building next to the Pizza Box; Ed Wright, the former Marston’s building which now serves as apartments, a salon and coffee shop; Gary Moreau, Gary’s Furniture; and Smith, for improvements to his Main Street property.
A nod for beautification efforts went to: Larry Demerchant and Gerry James, Public Works; the Hoffses; the ladies of the Flower Bucket Brigade (a group of women from the Presque Isle Garden Club who tend the flowers on Main Street) — Ann White, Martha LaPointe and Roberta Griffiths; the Presque Isle Fire Department volunteers who partnered in the flower care; and Presque Isle Historical Society members Kim Smith, Billie Brodsky and Craig Green.
For building improvements/beautification, those honored included: the Mark & Emily Turner Memorial Library; and new business Bike, Board and Ski and owners Tom Chasse, Andrew Bouchard and Mike Chasse.
Smith discussed the Maine Downtown Center grant the city received which will be used to promote healthy lifestyles downtown.
Beaulieu, chair of the DRC, spoke next, adding to Smith’s list of honorees.
“We also recognize KMH Music. The store was going to close but on a wing and a prayer the guy was able to keep it alive,” said Beaulieu. Owner Chris Morton now has a “booming” musical instrument business, located directly across from Beaulieu’s jewelry store.
“So much has happened in the downtown. When I moved here 15 years ago, no one wanted to be here. Building owners are to be commended for believing in the downtown,” Beaulieu said. “We need each other, for our survival.”
