HOULTON, Maine — The owners of a Linneus convenience store are branching out to reopen a beloved Houlton store, takeout and catering business.
Daniel and Vanessa Clark, owners of Clark’s Variety in Linneus, recently signed a deal for the former Dow’s Market on High Street in Houlton that closed in November 2017. They will be reopening it as Clark’s Market.
Inside the store Friday, the Clarks and their employees were readying the store for the return of business.
Daniel Clark said that he has gotten a tremendous response from the community once news got out about the store.
“Everyone has been very excited to hear that this store is going to be open again,” he said. “Everyone loved Dow’s and people were sad when it closed.”
Clark said he will offer pretty much the same menu that Reggie and Emily Dow did, including pizza, Mexican dishes and desserts. The shop also will offer an online ordering and payment system, he said, and catering will be available.
The store, which will celebrate a grand opening on May 21, will include classic grocery items, including milk, chips, beer, and cigarettes. For generations, the convenience store was known as High Street Grocery. The business, located on the corner of High Street and Franklin Avenue, started in 1906 when W.E. Carr opened the store.
Clark said he was inspired to purchase the store after having opened Clark’s Variety nearly two years ago.
“I’ve had great success there and I wanted to branch out and keep helping the economy and the people in the area,” he said. “I will employ 12-15 people between the two stores.”
If all goes well, he said that he would like to open up another store in two years as part of his long term business plan.
“I really enjoy being in business,” he said.
