Editor’s Note: The following is the second of two articles highlighting some of the top business stories from 2013. This article highlights the events from July to December.
Compiled by Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
The second half of 2013 was full of promising economic developments and positive business stories, including the opening of many new businesses in southern Aroostook County.
July
Blaine Jackett opened a new business in downtown Houlton. JEI Sports has been making screened shirts and other products since 2008 from his home, but Jackett decided to open a storefront on 3 Water St. to increase visibility and foot traffic.
A decision to outsource printing of the Bangor Daily News was welcome news for its northern Maine subsidiary. Bangor Publishing Company announced that the firm would close its Hampden printing plant and contract with Lewiston-based Sun Media Group and Northeast Publishing Company of Presque Isle to print the Bangor Daily News.
Jeff Hamm was chosen as the new administrator to East Grand Health Center, located on 201 Houlton Road in Danforth. With 15 years experience working in the health care industry, Hamm was looking forward to serving the community of Danforth.
After years of sitting vacant, a building that once served as one of the more popular eateries in southern Aroostook County got a new lease on life, as Weston and Donna Lord recently opened Weston’s Million Dollar View gift shop in the iconic location. A consignment gift store, Weston’s Million Dollar View features items from vendors hand-picked by Donna to be displayed in the store.
Everett Doughty, Jr. celebrated the opening of his new shop “Head To Toe” salon in the Fishman Mall in downtown Houlton.
Nature’s Circle Farm was expanding its organic, locally grown market by adding a 5,400-square foot (60 x 90) storage unit on the County Road in New Limerick. Founded in 1996 by Dick York, Nature’s Circle Farm started with two-acres and growing into 300 tillable acres.
August
Polaris Cable celebrated the expansion of broadband service to the community of Patten. The company held a Customer Appreciation Day at the Patten’s Womens Club Park, serving up hot dogs, chips and sodas.
Erin Johnson and her husband, Dana, became the new owners of Daniels Florist in Market Square.
After working 13 years for Northern Maine Development Commission, Brian Longstaff of Houlton took a new job as zoning administrator for the town of Scarborough.
“The Horn” Restaurant, Catering and Events, formerly The Horn of Plenty, re-opened at 382 North St. Back in the kitchen was executive chef William Roderick and taking orders was his wife, Nancy Levin, restaurant manager.
The Addison Point Agency in Houlton celebrated its 25th anniversary of providing in-home and community supports for children (birth to age 21), and adults with mental health diagnosis or cognitive disabilities.
Wilderness Pines Campground in Monticello had a new central lodge for visitors to the campground. Managed by Darrell and Heather Hanning, the campground is owned by the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians.
September
After 27 years in the chiropractic business, Dr. Bruce Harvey announced his retirement. The Houlton doctor turned the practice over to his partner Dr. Chris Bell.
Ben Torres, 23, Houlton International Airport supervisor and Haley Nickerson, 24, Millar Civic Center supervisor, were enjoying their new jobs in their hometown. Torres has been on the job since May 20 and Nickerson stepped in as the interim supervisor at the civic center in September, but was officially hired on Feb. 4.
A new full service salon celebrated its opening on the Houlton business horizon. Beauty & Beyond, 105 Bangor Street, was owned and operated by Stacy Fitzpatrick.
Pioneer Broadband announced the completion of a new “Fiber to the Home” (FTTH) network in Big Lake Township. This new network will provide high speed Internet service for private citizens and businesses via fiber optic lines.
The John A. Millar Civic Center was filled with vendors displaying every imaginable source of alternative heating systems as the Southern Aroostook Development Corporation held “Energy Expo 2013.”
Thanks to the efforts of the Houlton Regional Hospital Auxiliary, identifying potential problems in a patient’s bloodwork was now easier. Houlton Regional Hospital’s Auxiliary donated $10,000 to the Health Services Foundation to be used to fund a new microscope for the hematology laboratory. The purchase also included software, which will be used as a teaching tool for students.
October
Beals Variety celebrated its 15th-year anniversary in downtown Houlton. Though it has been a rollercoaster ride economically the last few years, Beals Variety has remained a steadfast staple within the Houlton community.
Bison Pumps was recognized as the newest Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) site in the state. Maine Department of Labor’s SafetyWorks! staff were on hand at the 98 Bangor St. location to present the award to David Harbison and his crew during an open house for Bison Pumps and Harbison Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning.
With diesel fuel costs soaring, replacing an aging fleet with more fuel-efficient models proved to be an investment too important to pass up for Sargent Trucking of Mars Hill. Sargent Trucking purchased 35 new Cascadia Evolution rigs from Freightliner of Maine in Houlton, trading in 46 older model trucks in the process.
Janet Hansen brought her baking talent to 23 Market Square, when she opened “The Cake & Ladle Café.”
Carquest, an automobile parts and supplies store, was bought out by Advance Auto Parts. No changes were planned for the Houlton location.
Those looking to buy some yarn needed to look no farther than the County Yarn Basket, owned by Karla Harrison.
Officials from the Maliseet Health and Wellness Center announced the hiring of Dr. Annabelle Lipsett, M.D. as a full-time physician. Lipsett was the tribe’s first full-time physician.
November
Houlton Power Sports on the North Road added a propane filling station to its list of products available.
Dr. Chris Bell and his wife Martha opened a new nutritional supplement business — County Naturals — at their 22 B Road chiropractic business.
The doors were open to a new business located on 51 Bangor St. Nestled between CarQuest and Kitchen’s Garage, was the new shop County Girl Collectibles. Owner Kim Maynard came up with the name because as she said, “I am originally from The County. I love The County and I wanted it to reflect my roots.”
A radio station with deep roots in Aroostook County underwent an ownership change, with Paul Decelles, president of Decelles-Smith Media, Inc., and his company resuming operation of WEGP. WEGP had served the central Aroostook market since 1960.
Dana Delano was named Deputy Division Director at Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC). Delano, in addition to his duties as Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program Manager, was working cooperatively between the Planning and Development and Economic and Workforce Development Divisions on projects as assigned by both division directors. He was also working on the new Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership program.
Spring Break Maple & Honey broke ground for a new processing facility for their ever-growing business in Smyrna.
December
Formerly known as the Lounge Downunder, the Downunder Sports Pub opened its doors for business with a completely new look, new menu of food items and a theme aimed at attracting sports buffs from around southern Aroostook County. The pub is located at Shiretown Inn and Suites on North Street.
Meryem Rogan, 19, of Houlton, was enjoying success with her business “Promise Pretzels of Maine.” Her hand-dipped chocolaty pretzel creations were a huge hit with her party guests and several family members encouraged her to start her own business.
Bangor Savings Bank was the top Small Business Administration (SBA) lender in Maine in 2013, providing $10.4 million in loans to 74 new or existing businesses. Marilyn Geroux, Maine district director of the Small Business Administration, made the announcement Dec. 4 at a gathering of small business owners held at Bissell Brothers Brewing Company in Portland.
Benn’s Auto Sales, which burned to the ground Dec. 28, 2012 was enjoying a re-birth thanks to small town generosity. John Benn’s father, Cedric, opened the family business in 1947. The Benns lost everything to the fire. With the help of family and friends, Benn’s Auto Sales has rebuilt a new shop at the same location on Bangor Road.
