Editor’s Note: The following is the first of two articles highlighting some of the top business stories from 2014. This article highlights the events from January to June. The second-half of the year will be featured in the Jan. 14 issue.
Compiled by Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
The first half of 2014 was full of promising economic developments and positive business stories, including the opening of many new businesses in southern Aroostook County. Here is a look at some of the year’s biggest stories.
January
Gordon and Crystal Hagerman were celebrating the grand opening of the Littleton Pit Stop on 1678 U.S. Highway 1, formerly C&W Citgo. The business had been closed for two years before the Hagermans purchased and restored it.
Hill-Top Lanes owner Larry Scott was working on finding new ways to bring in people to his bowling alley by hosting Family Fun Nights. Built by Dick Stewart, Gene Stewart and Orville Boutlier in 1964 at 61 Calais Road, Hill Top Lanes bowling alley had gone through many ups and downs in the market. Since 2000, Scott has been the sole owner of the property.
Aurora Mills and Farm in Linneus was collaborating with the Atlantic Brewing Company, which was creating a draft beer from the farm’s organically-grown oats. The limited edition beer — Aurora Farm’s Oatmeal Ale — was debuted at select locations in Maine.
The Cup Cafe at 61 Military St. announced a new manager. Kim Pratt was hired to take over the café. Pratt brought multifaceted experience and high standards of customer service to the Cup Café, as well as the desire to create an urban feeling pocket to our rural area.
Coles Shoe Store and Shoe Service in Houlton was celebrating its 75th year in business. Charles T. Cole opened a storefront in Houlton after being in the shoe repair and harness-making business for 50 years in Washburn, Patten, Millinocket and several other towns.
February
Tom Duff was staying true to his grandfather and father’s profession by keeping Duff’s Service Center in business 45 years after it opened. Duff still repairs automobiles, just like when the shop was first opened. But, complimenting the business today, Duff sells snowblowers, along with an extensive line of lawn and garden equipment. Duff’s grandfather, John Cassidy operated Cassidy’s Service Station, selling and servicing Willys and Studebaker from the time he opened in 1934 to when he sold out to his son-in-law Carl Duff, who officially renamed the business Duff’s Service Station in 1969.
An estimated 200 people braved the cold to attend the County Co-Op Taste of Winter food-tasting event. Featuring a smorgasbord of menu items crafted from locally grown produce, meats, vegetables and dairy products, the evening was designed to introduce members of the community to some of the many local producers in the area.
Mindy Libby opened Reflections Salon in Island Falls after working in Houlton shops as a cosmetologist for three years — two and a half years at Modern Beauty and six months at Lisa’s Hair Designs.
March
Clukey’s Auto Supply was awarded the Business of the Year title during the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce’s annual award’s banquet. In 1972, Tom Clukey opened the first branch store for Brake Service and Parts in Presque Isle. He later moved on to Massachusetts with the same company. Then in 1984 he returned to his roots and with his father and brother opened Clukey’s Auto Supply in his hometown in a potato house located on Allen Street. They expanded later to Fort Fairfield and Mars Hill for a time. Today the company has stores in Caribou, Presque Isle and Houlton.
Scott Dionne was announced as the newly-elected president and chairman of the board for the Southern Aroostook Development Corporation, replacing outgoing President Terry Wade. Dionne is the fifth president since SADC’s inception in 1998.
The Houlton Salvation Army Thrift Store was about to be resurrected, but the same was not to be said of the organization’s Presque Isle location. Houlton’s store had been closed since December, 2013 when structural issues with the building’s roof were detected, The Salvation Army Houlton Corps oversees the operations of the Family Thrift Stores in Houlton and Presque Isle. The group planned to close its Presque Isle location due to slow sales.
Chris Putnam of Hermon, a customer service rep and inventory manager at the Lincoln store, was named S.W. Collins’ Employee of the Year. He formerly worked seven years at the Houlton branch and 18 years before that with the Almon H. Fogg Company.
Cindy Bartman, who has owned and operated Bartman’s Upholstery in Merrill with her husband Ralph since 1988, was enjoying a successful business. She said the idea of restoring a family heirloom first piqued her interested in upholstery.
April
Jeremy Bither of Hodgdon opened JB’s Quick Mart in Houlton at 135 Military St. It marked the culmination of five long months of preparation and planning for Bither. The convenience store features pizzas, snacks and beverages.
Randy Pryor of Houlton was hard at work as the owner of Maine Automotive Dash (M.A.D.) Repair at 299 McSheffrey Road. At M.A.D. Repair, Pryor tackled the most intricate of circuit boards, repairing those microscopic mechanisms to help keep car clusters (dashboard gauges) working.
Massage therapist Serenna Fitzpatrick moved her practice to Bell Chiropractic on the B Road in Houlton. Fitzpatrick, a licensed massage therapist for over 10 years, spent seven and a half years at Lisa’s Hair Designs and before that, Fitzpatrick had her practice at High Definition.
Officials with Pioneer Broadband announced the completion of new DSL service in Blaine, Bridgewater and E Plantation. These projects will provide high speed Internet service for private residences and businesses.
The Southern Aroostook Trade Show was held at the Millar Civic Center and drew more than 1,600 people to the showcase.
A new name and new location was in the works for the Five Elements Healing Arts Center. Linda Rowe, a yoga instructor, said the group decided to relocate to 28 Market Square, inside the former First National Bank between the Temple Theatre and Key Bank. The group will subsequently change its name to Market Square Wellness.
May
Modern Beauty Salon in Houlton was celebrating its 35th anniversary. Opened by Helen Hatfield in 1979, Modern Beauty Salon has gone through a couple of transformations over the years. Originally, the salon was located in what is now referred to as the “back room” of the current establishment, but expanded to the corner a few years later. For the past 19 years, Linda Pilsbury has been the owner of the shop.
Richardson’s Hardware Store in Patten was expanding its services with the addition of two new greenhouses. The greenhouses are located on the corner across from the hardware store and near Katahdin Trust Company on Main Street in Patten.
Vicki Rowe of Houlton became a licensed massage therapist, offering services in the Shiretown from Main Street Fitness and Beauty and Beyond salon. She is also a licensed physical fitness trainer.
Threads of Hope, a Catholic Charities of Maine thrift store in Monticello, was celebrating its first-year anniversary with a 50 percent off sale.
Little houses were becoming more popular as individuals looked for ways to lower expenses and streamline their lives. A Bridgewater company hoped to meet the needs of people looking for a solid structure that will last the test of time. Livesey’s Little Houses, designed and built by Jay Livesey, are one-of-a-kind structures suitable for a number of uses and built to last.
June
Celebrating her 10th anniversary making pastries and treats, Cari Hutchinson, owner of the Pastry Corner, opened a new location at 51 Bangor St., formerly Country Girl Collectibles. The Pastry Corner added walk-in service for customers to come in and purchase their favorite pastries and coffee.
A building that once served as the Houlton Congregational Church and before that the Fair Street School, was renovated by a Houlton businessman to become a state of the art apartment complex. Jim Brown, owner of Brown Development, spent the past few months remodeling and renovating the former church. His plan was to create six apartments inside the two-story structure.
A historic Houlton building, which previously served as the site of the Bank of Maine, was about to be the new home of the Varney Agency. Cathy Davis, branch manager for Houlton’s Varney Agency, confirmed that the insurance agency would be relocating to 76 North St.
Bates Fuel company was celebrating 25 years of service in Aroostook and Penobscot counties, with a Customer Appreciation Day with hot dogs, chips, soda and other goodies at its Houlton and Stacyville locations.
Hy-Grow Organics, located at 355 North Road adjacent to Houlton Power Sports and operated by Bill McCluskey and Stephen Porter was enjoying success. Hy-Grow’s fertilizers and soil amendments can be used both indoors and outdoors. Hydroponics is a system of growing vegetation without relying on dirt. There are several mediums to choose to grow with including, the most popular clay pellets and cocoa fiber.
Julie Hogan, who has been styling and cutting people’s hair for as long as she can remember, finally found a place to call her own. Located at 1 Military St., in the former Cunliffe Saw Shop, Julie’s Beauty World opened as a full-service salon that also offers pedicures, manicures, facials and electrolysis.
