Mall businesses offer
home-themed merchandise
By Kathy McCarty
PRESQUE ISLE — Two County-based businesses have teamed up to share a spot at the Aroostook Centre Mall.
“Monkey Publishing, the Caribou-based publisher and on-demand printer, will reopen its store in the Aroostook Centre Mall in a new location, joining with Northeastern Rustic, LLC of Smyrna to share space,” said William Tasker, founder of the publishing company.
Tasker described Northeastern Rustic’s products as “handcrafted furniture with a flair.”
“Both companies have been represented at the mall for five years. This is a perfect partnership,” said Tasker. “People love Northeastern Rustic’s products and they have done extremely well over the years.”
According to Tasker, both companies have dedicated employees who pour their hearts into what they do.
“The quality and grace that goes into their crafting “matches the devotion we have to making quality books in Aroostook County,” he said.
The store officially opened on Friday, Oct. 8, and is directly opposite the mall entrance to Penney’s. The opening coincides with two new titles from Monkey Publishing.
“I’m introducing my seventh title in the Pioneer Homes series, ‘The Pioneer Homes of Ashland,’” said Tasker.
He’s hoping to introduce an eighth title in the series before December.
“I love making these books. I love our history and the pioneers of our area. Ashland was a joy for this series. What a pretty town,” said Tasker.
Also new to the publisher’s line of products is a new book for children, “The Boy Who Thought He Was a Plane.” Written and illustrated by Maine residents, Tasker said the book “is a charming days-of-the-week book about Donny, a boy with an exceptional imagination.”
“This is an incredibly beautiful book. The illustrations by Sally Stanton really set off a charming relationship between a boy and his father,” said Tasker. “This book will be a real joy during those bedtimes for children and their parents.”
