Staff Writer
Progressive Realty in Caribou has been in operation 20 years this month and will be holding an open house on Thursday, Nov. 19 in celebration of this milestone. The real estate office is located at 45 Bennett Drive.
Aroostook Republican photos/Barbara Scott
Joanne Cyr and the others at Progressive Realty invite area residents to stop in at their office on Bennett Drive, Thursday, Nov. 19 and say “hello” during the 20th Anniversary Open House.
Joanne Cyr, owner and licensed real estate broker at Progressive Realty stated, “Twenty years have passed by very quickly and we look forward to continued success in the community.”
Prior to operating her own business in November 1989, Cyr worked in the judicial system, a number of years in then District Attorney John McElwee’s offices and later with Justices Elmer Violette and T. Paul Pierson. “I reached a point in my life, when I guess I had grown tired of the administrative work and decided it was time to do something for myself, this was going to be a fun thing,” said the local realtor.
Progressive Realty, as with so many other local businesses, has experienced ups and downs especially in 1993 when it was announced that Loring Air Force Base hadn’t survived the hit list for a second time. “I was very worried but we just continued, like everyone else,” said Cyr. “Over the past 20 years, some have been easy and others not so easy,” she continued, “its been a struggle at times, especially given the effect the economy has everywhere, especially in this area.” Regardless of the fluctuating real estate market nationwide, Cyr stated, “we have seen continuous growth every year.”
Cyr said that she and her staff work predominately within a 30-mile radius of Caribou. With the constant changes that go into effect regarding real estate laws and financing, Cyr said, “we try to do our homework.”
“When I first opened Progressive Realty, I worked with mostly residential properties but over the years, this office staff now deals with not only residential but commercial, land and recreational properties as well.”
“I feel that my business has grown very well over the years,” said Cyr, “when I first opened I had one other person, Debbie Aldrich, working out of this office. In 1993, my husband John joined forces and over the years there have been a number of people who are responsible for the success of this office.”
Others who have worked at Progress Realty in Caribou include: Hugh Pierson, Shirley Britain and Lorraine Donovan.
Today those that work (aside from Joanne and John Paul) at Progressive Realty are, Cathy Duffy Cullins, April Caron, Dot Fitzgerald, and Ann Jepson, the agency’s newest addition.
“I feel very fortunate to have these very competent, nice people working for me,” said Cyr.
Cyr also pointed out that one other feature that Progressive Realty offers is the fact that she and April Caron are bi-lingual.
Joanne Cyr and the others at Progressive Realty invite area residents to stop in at their office on Bennett Drive, Nov. 19 and say hello. “We would really enjoy seeing those whom we have worked with and of course our friends and acquaintances within the community.”
