By Jane Torres
Houlton Chamber of Commerce executive director
As the director of the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce, and a perennial optimist at heart, I have found myself having to defend our beloved town a little more than usual lately. Pity the person who enters my door and utters the words, “What is going on in Houlton … everything is closing down.” Here we go again!
It’s not exactly practical to take each person by the hand for a walking tour so, instead, they get “the lecture.” The one about positivity and forward thinking. The lecture that, I am sure because I have seen it, makes the recipient grow wide-eyed and start to back out of my door in the hope that they can beat a hasty retreat before I force them to eat their words! So here it is, what’s really happening in Houlton.
A wonderful gift shop in Market Square recently came up for sale. The two sisters who owned it were ready to retire. Did it just shut down? Nope. An energetic and forward-thinking Robin Crone redesigned the entire store and filled it with new product.
Daniels Florist in Market Square, a family-owned business, recently sold to a young mom eager to be a part of an established floral shop in the downtown area.
H&R Block, seeing a perfect place to move, which would place them on the street level, took over the County Federal Credit Union spot in Market Square.
Houlton Stamp & Coin, owned by Matt Carr, is in the process of buying his building and doing some needed renovations.
County Junction Bakery. Sadly, Brian is taking a break from baking, but Suzette is still open for the best coffee in town and all your organic and natural food needs!
The Days Block. Yup! The old jewelry store that has been vacant for a long, long time has recently been purchased by a man who wants to turn it into a downtown hotel.
JEI Sports has moved into the Modern Beauty block and has filled the space with promotional items ready to be printed with your choice of images or words.
After many years and countless hours immersed in the floral world, Deb and Tom Nisbitt decided to move on to other projects and sold Chadwicks to Amanda Dunham. Amanda has not missed a beat and has made the transition so seamless that you wouldn’t even know that Deb and Tom are not there.
The Tidd’s have restructured their window and door business and consolidated into one building. No, they are not out of business, they have, however, sold one of the buildings to someone looking to expand an existing business.
Speaking of restructuring, MPG has also chosen to close both of their retail stores in Houlton and Presque Isle. The people employed here in Houlton have chosen to continue employment with MPG in another division. The building is already being looked at by a local business owner looking to expand.
The Military Street Baptist Church recently moved up to Drakes Hill leaving the old church vacant. A local builder is already working on the beautiful building and is contemplating apartments. Who wouldn’t want to live in an apartment looking out over beautiful Monument Park?
A group of local movers and shakers has committed to opening a co-op in town where the public would be invested as shareholders able to purchase locally produced products year round.
The Cup Café in the basement of the Unitarian Church continues to draw an eclectic group of people looking for fine coffees and homemade food. They also showcase amazingly talented musicians throughout the year.
The Community Market in downtown Market Square every Saturday has grown from five original hardy vendors to over 30 this year.
Amato’s … need I say more? The lines have been out the door since they opened.
North Country Auto recently bought the building they occupy on the North Road and are looking forward to expanding!
Joyce Transue continues to change and grow with the expansion of the bar area of her restaurant, The Courtyard Café, and has hired a front-end manager so that she can concentrate on doing what she does best … cooking.
Anybody been in to Freightliner on the North Road? Another bustling business!
Yes … I could go on, but quite frankly I am sensing a wide-eyed look from the reader.
Our town and the surrounding communities have always struggled, walking a tightrope of economic hardships. Each and every one of our store owners have stuck it out through hard times to provide you with easy access to food, clothing, entertainment and all the things necessary to sustain a household.
When it all shakes out, Houlton is on the move. Good things are happening and the message is that every business has a cycle and everything must change. Stay positive. It is essential to our small town way of life.
