FORT KENT, Maine — Northern Maine Medical Center in Fort Kent has secured space at a former Kmart building in Madawaska for a future medical mall, according to the property’s owner.
The building is a large part of Madawaska’s midtown plaza space, which is undergoing a major revitalization that also includes the ongoing construction of a new 30,000-square-foot Fish River Rural Health facility. The Fish River project is not connected to the medical mall.
An NMMC spokesperson declined to provide details about what services will be offered at the medical mall, or when it will open. A sign outside the building says it will be called Acadia Medical Mall.
The 54,973-square-foot Kmart building has been vacant for over half a decade after the retail store closed in early 2019. It was listed on April 20, 2023 by Gorjian Acquisitions, a New York real estate firm.
The Madawaska Kmart was originally built in 1973. Sears Holdings Corp. announced in late 2018 that the Madawaska store, along with several other Kmart stores in the U.S., would close due to financial difficulties amid bankruptcy proceedings.
Madawaska leadership has tried to spark interest in the property since the store closed, as a new business moving to this location could help its downtown revitalization efforts.
Madawaska has invested over $4 million in grants from the U.S. Economic Development Administration and Congressionally Directed Spending into the overall plaza. This funding includes updating water and sewer infrastructure, bringing sidewalks up to modern compliance, and creating an entrepreneurial space for artists and businesses.
Last year, Steve Pelletier, a businessman who also owns the Valley Motors auto dealership in Fort Kent purchased the Kmart property for $250,000.
Pelletier said he plans to divide the building into three suites, and that NMMC is leasing a 20,000 square foot space for a medical mall. He said the remaining two spaces are still available.
“The town is very happy to see that the space is being filled,” Madawaska Town Manager David Daigle said. “NMMC is a great community partner as they look to expand some of their services. This is a great service for our residents.”
