Editor’s Note: The following is the second of two articles highlighting some of the top business stories from 2012. This article covers July to December.
Compiled By Joseph Cyr Staff Writer
The second-half of 2012 featured a number of prominent stories in the business community. Merchants gathered in July to learn how to combat shoplifting in their stores, while an automobile dealership opened its doors in the Shiretown in September. By the end of the year, the Southern Aroostook Development Corporation was recognizing an outstanding business and individual with awards.
July
• For four decades, Jerry Adams of Houlton has trimmed hair for men and boys of all ages, with the majority of those 40 years coming from his previous location on Court Street. He recently moved to just his third location in those 40-plus years when he opened a new barbershop on Main Street in the downtown area, next to the Houlton Lodge of Elks.
• The Houlton Rotary Club celebrated an exceptional year of service during its annual dinner. The club covered lots of ground in the past year including hosting a district conference for 200 Rotarians from across the region, donated more than $30,000 to causes both local and across the globe, and added nearly a dozen new members to the organization. As part of the annual dinner, Houlton Rotary celebrated the work and commitment to service of two individuals in our community who make a positive impact wherever they go. The club recognized both Paul Adams and Don Collins as Paul Harris fellows, which is the highest recognition within Rotary.
• How can merchants fight an increasing problem of shoplifting? That was the focus of an informal meeting of about a dozen local merchants June 21 at the Houlton Higher Education Center. To spearhead the meeting, the chamber brought in Walt Huffman, loss prevention expert for Marden’s chain of stores in the state, as well as Houlton Police Chief Butch Asselin.
• Grass skirts, flower leis and tropical music took center stage as the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce held its 25th annual Midnight Madness celebration. An estimated 3,700 people attended the event. Midnight Madness has evolved over the years from originally a sale-only shopping event with bargains increasing in value as the evening wore on, to today’s festivity that features more of a street fair vibe with sidewalk vendors, music, car shows and food booths.
• The days of a business keeping just one product line has gone by the wayside. Just ask Tom Duff, owner of Duff’s Service Center at 306 Bangor St. in Houlton. Duff added his seventh product line with the addition of Husqvarna outdoor power equipment.
• Relocating a business is always a risky proposition. Business owners often wonder if their customers will be able to find them at their new location. Such is not the case for Galen Wilde, owner of Shiretown Coins, which moved just a few doors down from its previous location at 37 Market Square to its new home at 25 Market Square. The site previously hosted Shiretown Video and Variety, and was also home to Beals Variety at one point.
August
• Twenty 2 Vodka, which is manufactured in Houlton, leapt to the forefront of industry spirit competitions by taking home another award at the 2012 Spirits International Prestige (SIP) Awards. It was the ninth major award Twenty 2 Vodka received in the last three years, making the Maine-based brand America’s most-awarded vodka.
• Kinney’s Garage in Danforth was under new ownership. Andrew Faulkner, Harry Kinney’s grandson, took over the business in July, and became the third generation to run the full-service center. Kinney’s Garage is located on the corner of Main and Calais Road. The garage has a storied history in Danforth, as Faulkner’s great-grandfather started the business in 1945 as a Mobile station. Then a fire destroyed the garage.
• Electronics work well, until they don’t. That’s what far too many of us find when it comes to anything to do with our computers. VirtualTech is a new business located in Houlton that could protect your computer from those unexpected and unwanted attacks. Londa Boreland opened VirtualTech with her husband Doug.
• Patrons at Ivey’s Motor Lodge in Houlton noticed a welcoming new room filled with tempting smells near the main lobby. Owner Rick Kelley recently created a new continental breakfast area at his motel, complete with tables, comfy lounge chairs and a computer area connected to the Internet so guests can surf the web while enjoying their breakfast.
September
• North Country Auto, owned by Randy Norsworthy, returned to Houlton, opening its door at 519 North St., the former site of Houlton Power Sports. And if the first week of sales were indication, business is booming. In its first four days, five vehicles were sold and by the end of two weeks, 14 were sold. The dealership also has locations in Presque Isle and Lincoln.
• Though relatively new to Houlton, Stewart McCarthy wanted people to know he was a “working man’s contractor.” McCarthy opened his own construction business and offered all groundwork, including septic systems, gravel screening, driveways and pads, loom for lawns, excavation, along with hauling skidders and other heavy equipment.
October
• Those longing for a hearty cup of gourmet coffee, espresso or cappuccino took note, the Cup Café in Houlton was just the place to be. Located in the basement of the Unitarian/Universalist Church on 61 Military St., the Cup Café features warm, earthy tones on its walls. The café celebrated its grand opening, marking the first time it will be open to the general public.
• Old hotel furniture from southern Maine was helping feed the hungry in Aroostook County thanks to the efforts of the Catholic Charities and Teamsters Local Union No. 340. Traci Place of the Teamsters said her group partnered with Catholic Charities on a number of events over the past four years, most notably a food drive to collect a tractor-trailer load of non-perishable goods.
• Jerry York, co-owner of York’s of Houlton, a Ford and Toyota dealership in Houlton, was nominated for the 2013 TIME Dealer of the Year award. York is one of a select group of 57 dealer nominees from across the country who will be honored at the 96th annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention & Exposition in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 9, 2013.
November
• Chef Bill Roderick, formerly of the Horn of Plenty, was serving his meals from the County Yankee grocery store, instead of his cozy restaurant on the North Road. The Horn of Plenty closed Labor Day weekend this year because of a “bad economy,” said Roderick.
• Nancy Ellis and her husband, Donald “Bones” Ellis opened a business from their home called “Someplace Special” located at 4 Madigan St. in Houlton. The Ellises has been involved in crafting for more than 40 years.
• Several communities in northern Maine were making impressive strides in their ongoing efforts to revitalize their historic downtown districts. Officials with the Maine Development Foundation were here recently to celebrate what has been accomplished and inspire local leaders to keep working toward their goal of creating community centers that are not only pleasing to look at, but economically viable for business and industry. The event was promoted as Aroostook County Downtown Day at the Northeastland Hotel in Presque Isle and attracted nearly 30 participants. Roxanne Eflin, senior program director for the Augusta-based Maine Downtown Center, said she sees Aroostook County making steady progress in the ongoing process to rebuild and transform Main Street.
December
• The Good As New Shop on upper Main Street in Houlton was a hopping place. Formerly located at Parkview Terrace, the shop moved just down the road to Market Square and was seeing a business boom.
• A new business opened in Union Square in Houlton. Jenny’s is eclectic in its nature, as several vendors came together under one roof to display their goods. Owner Jenny Williams, a Houlton native, opened her store because she was retired and wanted something to do. Two years ago, she had a seasonal shop on the North Road prior to purchasing the former Infinity (Benn’s pool hall) building adjacent to Town and Country.
• Dead River Co. celebrated its “Share the Warmth” effort to gather non-perishable food and to raise money for food and fuel assistance for families in Aroostook County. Residents were asked to bring donated food items to any of the nine Dead River Co. offices in Aroostook County and the company pledged to donate $1 for food and $1 for fuel for each pound of food donated up to $10,000.
• Houlton Regional Hospital’s Health Education Center was the site, for the Southern Aroostook Development Corporation’s (SADC) annual breakfast meeting. About 50 attendees from around the state were on hand to hear about projects that SADC has been working on for 2012 and to hear of proposals in the work for the upcoming year. Cathy O’Leary, Houlton assistant town manager, was presented with the SADC 2012 President’s Award, while Harbison’s Plumbing and Bison Pumps of Houlton were presented with the organization’s Outstanding Business Award.
