RE/MAX showcases Houlton office

By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    Balloons, food, colleagues, family and friends made a dreary day very bright and festive for the grand opening of RE/MAX Central’s Houlton office on Main Street last Friday. Associate Broker Greg Miller, a Houlton native, who had been working out of the company’s Presque Isle office said he and his partner were “waiting for an opportunity to have an office in Houlton and the timing was right for all of us and we seized he opportunity.”
Houlton Pioneer Times photograph/Elna Seabrooks
RE/MAX GRAND OPENING — Market Square was very festive Oct. 9 despite the overcast skies.  Rain could not dampen the high-spirited atmosphere when friends came in from Caribou and Presque Isle to celebrate the new RE/MAX office in Houlton. RE/MAX Presque Isle co-owner Jane Towle had scissors in hand to cut the ribbon. Among those celebrating the opening were: Houlton Town Councilor Sue Tortello and Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Lori Weston, front row.  Behind them were: Debbie Henderson, left, Chamber member; Lehrle Kieffer, RE/MAX Caribou; Diane Hires, RE/MAX Houlton; Steve Towle, RE/MAX Presque Isle; Greg Miller, RE/MAX Houlton; Jane Towle; Kent Good and Ben Adams, Chamber members.
New clients and old friends
    The office opened just after Labor Day and Miller says in that short time, the community’s response has been “phenomenal — more than we ever expected.” Although office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Miller says,  he’s usually there Saturday mornings as well. “We do whatever it takes with anyone who wants to see property or list property.”
    Miller had worked with Diane Hires, a broker at another agency, and said he appreciated the way she operated, so it was “natural fit” for her to join the new Houlton RE/MAX operation. “It was time for me to make a move and I had been looking to get affiliated with a larger, national company for a while now. And the opportunity came along and I just grabbed the gold ring,” said Hires. Although she says she misses her former company, she adds that the response has been great and the experience is a wonderful change.”
Enthusiastic support
    Sue Tortello was on hand to show her support at the official grand opening. “As a member of the Houlton Town Council we always like to come out to ribbon cuttings.  It’s always exciting when new businesses open in the town of Houlton and particularly when they open in Market Square. So, we’re thrilled to death to have RE/MAX with us.”
    Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lori Weston reinforced the sentiments of the day: “It’s a great opportunity again to celebrate our downtown area with RE/MAX and they just bring a lot of  enthusiasm and excitement to the downtown area.”