There is no way to sugarcoat what is going on at the Aroostook Centre Mall in Presque Isle. The closing of Sears, Staples and Debs (among others) means the loss of jobs and puts the future of the mall in jeopardy. It also eliminates some shopping options for us local citizens. No, there isn’t any way to call this good news.
I would suspect that the cost of doing business at the mall was high and a factor. But for at least Staples, the stated reason for its closing was an increase of online sales. I have read reports that as much as 45 percent of retail for the holiday season was performed online this year. This is a new reality that has steadily grown since retailers first started putting their wares on the Worldwide Web.
Our own area is not alone in our recent events. Sears closed hundreds of stores and JC Penney is closing hundreds as well. The big box stores are hurting and I even read this weekend that Sam’s Clubs are doing poorly as well.
How should we react in such times? Well, I suppose we could curl up in some fetal position and cry for our local economy. Perhaps such a short-term reaction is an appropriate grief reaction. Our hearts should go out to families affected directly by the closings and other local businesses that support those big stores will be hurting too.
I guess I am too stubborn as an optimist to succumb completely to the “sky is falling” news. I am an old believer in that when doors close, others open. Many of our local businesses can absorb some of the shopping options lost and, in fact, already do. Clukey’s Auto can supply all of the auto parts Sears sold. Haney’s and S.W. Collins can supply all of the tools and equipment needs. Crown Equipment and others can take care of your property maintenance equipment. OfficeMax, PrintWorks and other local options can supply paper and business office needs.
The clothing department is a little more difficult. Sleepers does a nice job of selling men’s and women’s clothing and shoes. But perhaps there is an opportunity for some specialty clothing stores. How about big and tall stores? I am not a skinny person and buying clothing is extremely difficult. I look around and I don’t appear to be alone. A local option would be great.
Despite the numbers I mentioned of 45 percent buying online, that still leaves 55 percent that want to go to a store. I think there are opportunities there. Yes, opportunities here. And with the Internet being readily available, creating products right here and selling them online is certainly doable. We did it very successfully at ATX. It can be done.
I look at our area and those that have looked outside the box. There is a meat market on Rte 161. Goughan’s, McElwain’s and Mr. Blackstone have been successful with agricultural sales. The Amish create and do very well selling rustic furniture, roofing and homemade goods. People like Bob Plourde have found a very successful niche in supplying outdoor motor enthusiasts with all they can ask for. Sullivan’s Floor Covering and Hisco Carpet Barn are extremely busy all the time. There are opportunities here.
I will not sugarcoat the hardship that losing jobs for our local people will endure. The news hasn’t been good. At the same time, I believe in the ingenuity and hard work of our local workforce. Opportunities are there for the taking. Our local governments, chambers and state and federal agencies need to work together to promote ideas, especially good ones with good plans and do whatever we can to make those opportunities flourish.
The bottom layer of that old “pyramid of needs” is always survival. If we can just stick our eyes and noses a little higher to the next level, things can happen.
Executive Director William Tasker may be reached in the CACC office at 498-6156 or email him at cacc@cariboumaine.net.
