MACs Trading Post plans North Street relocation

Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
CHECKING THE INVENTORY — Michelle Crane, co-owner of MACs Trading Post in Houlton, arranges merchandise inside the Route 1 business. Crane, and her husband Darrin, have operated from the Route 1 location since purchasing the business in 2008. The Cranes plan to move the popular hunting and fishing business to 54 North St., next to Tangs Chinese Cuisine.
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — A popular hunting and fishing business will soon be getting a new home.
    MACs Trading Post is moving from its Route 1 location to a spot closer to town by May 1. The new location is the former Brake Service building, located on North Street next to Tangs Chinese Cuisine.
    Opened in 2003 by Matt and Rebecca Cox, MACs Trading Post has been a popular Route 1 spot, especially during hunting season when the business serves as a tagging and weighing station. Darrin and Michelle Crane purchased the business in March 2008.
    MACs Trading Post has a full line of hunting rifles, ammunition, fishing gear, clothing, footwear and hunting accessories.
    “We’ve wanted to move a little bit further south,” Michelle Crane said. “We were looking for something a bit more long-term. We don’t have any storage space to speak of and there is no room to expand on any lines, if we wanted to.”
    Financial reasons also played a part in the Crane’s decision. At their current site, the Cranes rent their space, but at their new location they will own the building.
    “We started looking down the road,” she said. “What if my kids want the business or another family member? I know the trouble we had buying since we did not own the building. This leaves us with more options.”
    Another perk is that the new location will be larger. MACs current location is about 2,300 square feet, while the new site is about 3,000 square feet.
    Since the previous business was an auto garage, extensive work needs to be done inside the new building before the move takes place.
    “We are doing all new electrical, heating and plumbing,” Crane said. “Nothing inside was up to code.”
    During hunting season, MACs is a popular spot for passers-by looking to see moose or deer that have been bagged by hunters. At its current site, a large rack is located outside to the left of the business to hang the animals for weighing purposes. Crane said she was not sure where that weighing system would be at the new location.
    “We’ll probably do something with it out back, if we do at all,” she said. “We need to see if there is enough room. It’s only three weeks a year, but we’ll cross the weighing bridge when it’s time.”