Editor’s Note: The following is the first of two articles highlighting some of the top business stories from 2020. This article highlights events from January to June. The second article will be published on Jan. 6.
January
The Northern Light A.R. Gould Hospital launched the “Walk with a Doc” program to encourage exercise, as well as familiarize residents with local physicians. The program was halted shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Outdoor sports store Outdoor Extreme is opened at 55 State Road in Presque Isle by Kirstina and Clyde Hafford. The husband-and-wife team hoped to differentiate themselves by offering brands that other local stores in the Presque Isle market didn’t stock.
Outdoor Extreme co-owners Kirstina Hafford, left, and Clyde Hafford, right, stand in front of merchandise at their store in Presque Isle store in January 2020. (David Marino Jr. | The Star-Herald)
Grayden and Gavin Hemphill unload potatoes at Hemphill Farms in Presque Isle on April 30. (David Marino Jr. | The Star-Herald)
February
The Maine Potato Board reports that several potatoes are being rejected from commercial sale amid the emergence of new strains of potato virus Y. The board had reported that 60 percent more potatoes were rejected in 2019-2020 than in 2018-2019. Of all the seed potato lots, 7.3 percent were rejected, the highest number since 2012-2013.
Bowers Funeral Home, which has locations in Houlton and Islands Falls, opened up a new location at 238 Main St. in Presque Isle.
Lisa Kirouac of Fort Fairfield opened a new barbershop on the town’s Main Street in the former location of a longtime barbershop, Jack’s. Kirouac — who is originally from Grand Falls, New Brunswick — has 25 years of experience in barber shops and hair salons.
Dena Holmes, an employee at the Hampton Inn in Presque Isle, gets her temperature checked to test for COVID-19 symptoms before clocking in. Credit: David Marino Jr. / The Star-Herald
March
Numerous businesses closed, and numerous events were canceled, as Gov. Janet Mills declared a civil state of emergency in Maine amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
James Carroll became the new owner of Morning Star Art and Framing on Main Street in Presque Isle. The business, which first opened in 2005, offers custom framing of art prints, also selling work from Aroostook County artists.
The Aroostook Band of Micmacs in Presque Isle will receive $887,722 in federal grant funding to enhance affordable housing in the community. The funds were part of $4.3 million in Indian Housing Black Grants issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Houlton’s Band of Maliseets received $651,894 in grants.
National investment solutions company AssetMark donated $10,000 to the Central Aroostook Association, which supports residents with developmental and intellectual disabilities across Aroostook County.
April
The American Agri-Women honored Maine Agri-Women President Pam Townshend of Blaine with one of its two national LEAVEN Awards.
Presque Isle-based MMG Insurance donated $25,000 to the Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine, the largest hunger-relief organization in Maine. Good Shepherd Food bank delivers food to more than 30 food pantries and meal sites across Aroostook County.
The Presque Isle Historical Society began operating a virtual tour of 30 historic sites across Downtown Presque Isle. Many museums nationwide have begun operating virtual tours as in-person visitation is reduced to halt the spread of COVID-19.
May
On May 1, the Presque Isle Garden Center opened at the Aroostook Centre Mall in the former Kmart location. The business sells fruit trees, animal feed, gardening tools, fertilizer, pots and seeds, among other items.
The White Dog Market in Presque Isle was a total loss after a fire. The cause of the fire was undetermined, and the owners did not respond to a request for comment. There were no injuries in the incident.
The Braden Theater in Presque Isle — unable to show movies because of the COVID-19 pandemic — began to sell concessions on weekends. Visitors could buy popcorn, candy and drinks on Friday and Saturday each week, with staff encouraging them to eat the products as they watch movies in their homes.
Sign at the front of Cafe Sorpreso on Presque Isle’s Main Street in May. (David Marino Jr. | The Star-Herald)
Cafe Sorpreso in Presque Isle announced it was closing after more than a decade in business. Owner Judy Boudman said the primary reason was a desire by the landlord to sell the property, but said the COVID-19 pandemic played a role in the cafe’s ultimate decision to shut its doors.
The Crown of Maine Balloon Fest was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials said it was a difficult decision, but the pandemic made it impossible to hold the festival.
Ye Olde English Fish & Chips food truck on Main Street in Presque Isle on Monday, May 25. (David Marino Jr. | The Star-Herald)
June
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, food trucks lined the streets of Presque Isle. Various types of food were offered, including fish and chips and barbecue.
The Presque Isle Historical Society announced that it would resume events but would continue to follow state guidelines meant to curb the COVID-19 pandemic. Events included the Maysville Museum opening on Caribou Road and tours of the Vera Estey House on Third Street.
The Westfield-based Aroostook Hops, which grows hops used by breweries across Maine, received a $50,000 grant from the Maine Department of Agriculture. Co-owner Jason Johnson said he would use the money to update the company’s equipment.
