HOULTON, Maine — Customers of Spectrum cable, telephone and internet services no longer have a local storefront to stop into should they have questions on their bills or need to request service.
Signs on the windows of the 34 Military St. building state that the cable company’s location in the Shiretown is “Now Closed” and encourage people to visit the company’s 67 Industrial St. location in Presque Isle or visit its website.
“The Houlton walk-in location was primarily used by customers to pay bills and schedule service calls” said Andrew Russell, director of communications for Spectrum’s northeast region. “The vast majority of customers in the area use one of our other convenient, 24/7 options to conduct these transactions. Customers can pay bills by mail, online at www.Spectrum.net, by phone at 1-855-243-8892, and via MoneyGram at the Houlton Wal-Mart.”
Customers who need service must call 1-833-267-6094 or go online at www.Spectrum.net.
The closure is just the latest by the cable company. Back in December, Spectrum closed its Madawaska location under similar circumstances.
One employee of the Houlton location has been transferred to the Presque Isle store. Spectrum’s technical and maintenance employees are moving to a new location on the Bangor Road in Houlton. That location will not be open for customer traffic.
The Spectrum building will not sit empty for too long, however.
Tim McAfee, chief executive officer for Pioneer Broadband, confirmed Tuesday that his company purchased the building nearly a year ago and plans to move its operations from the current home at 37 North St. to the 34 Military St. location.
McAfee said the company had to wait for Spectrum’s lease agreement to run out before making the transition.
“We have hired an architectural engineering firm to help us with the renovation,” McAfee said. “We expect to be in the building by next year.”
McAfee said the Spectrum building is ideal for his firm’s needs as it will allow the business to store vehicles inside at night and has greater storage space for the internet company’s equipment.
