Editor’s Note: The following is the first of two articles highlighting some of the top business stories from 2013. This article highlights the events from January to June. The second installment will appear in the Jan. 1 issue.
The first six months of 2013 featured plenty of positive developments on the economic front as several new businesses opened in southern Aroostook County, while other longtime businesses were recognized for their continued support to the community.
January
The County Federal Credit Union celebrated the grand opening of its new Houlton branch at 247 North Road. The new 3,500 square foot branch replaced an aging building located in Market Square.
The Houlton Water Company was recognized by the Maine Department of Labor for striving to provide a safe and healthful workplace. HWC was one of five municipal departments across the state to earn the Safety and Health Award for Public Employees (SHAPE). This certification recognized public-sector organizations that voluntary undertake a rigorous safety achievement program for their workers.
As a displaced worker, Philip Chase was 53 years old when he went back to college, graduating with an associate’s degree in automotive technology from Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle. Chase put his new skills to the test by opening Phil’s Garage in Ludlow.
Billie-Jo Davis of Houlton extended her business interest in the Shiretown when she opened “Your Party Place.” The owner of Billie’s Arch, an adult residential care home on Leonard Street for the last seven years, Davis purchased the Cowperthwaite block on the corner of Main and Winter streets last winter.
The Houlton Rotary Club, in collaboration with Rotary International, was sending a team of Rotarians to the Dominican Republic to install Bio-Sand Water Filtration systems. The Houlton Rotary members who were participating in the trip were Ryan Bushey, Amy Hocking, Scott White with his daughter Franki White, Mac Randolph with Nancy, and Tammie Mulvey. To raise money for the trip, a spaghetti supper was held at the Houlton Elks Club.
Though the Infinity Hair Salon closed, its staff remained together in a new venture at the corner of North and Mill streets. Eight-year hair stylist Stephanie (Foster) Harris and her husband, David, purchased the property just before Thanksgiving 2012. Stylists Sarah McLaughlin and Heidi Miller joined Harris in the venture.
Houlton natives Sharon and Brian Bickford opened Sweet Dreams Candy & Bake Shoppe, a candy store and bakery in Caribou.
February
The County Federal Credit Union closed its 13 Market Square location, and moved its staff to its new branch at 247 North St. The North Street branch is a $1.2 million dollar investment in the community and will help create jobs in Houlton.
Tractor Supply Company on the North Road received recognition for supporting the local 4-H program in its annual fund-raising campaign. The Houlton store received the Class Champion Award for outstanding performance during the fall Paper Clover Campaign.
The Courtyard Café, nestled in the Fischman Mall in downtown Houlton, renovated its bar area. The Garden Bar, adjacent to the main dining area, has a 24-foot bar, which seats at least 18 patrons. In addition, the bar has six tables for those who want a more relaxed dining experience. While having a beverage, you can watch TV on the flat-screen.
Two local charitable groups were among six non-profits hoping to receive funding through Bangor Savings Bank’s “Community Matters More” project. Through this charitable program, Maine’s largest independent bank asked residents to weigh in on how best to allocate $100,000 the bank has pledged to give to 68 Maine nonprofit organizations.
Mike Barnett opened a barbershop on the 382 North Road, across from Houlton Power Sports.
Ron and Amanda Dunham became the new owners of Chadwick Florist and Greenhouses located on Spring Street in Houlton. Ron and Amanda purchased the florist from Tom and Debbie Nisbett, who owned the florist business for 31 years. Chadwick’s has been a part of Houlton for 108 years and the Dunhams hoped to continue the same longevity in the floral industry as their predecessors.
March
At the annual Houlton Chamber of Commerce Dinner and Gala Event at the Houlton Elks Lodge, Katahdin Trust Company was named the Business of the Year. Since 1918, Katahdin Trust Company has defined community banking for families and businesses of the region. Katahdin Trust Company has more than 17 locations across central and northern Maine, along with operating a commercial loan office in Scarborough.
Machias Savings Bank presented the Houlton Community Arts Center with a check for $5,000 as a sponsor in support of the arts center series of comedy events.
Dale Korhonen, who worked side-by-side with Steve Bither for nine years, opened his own business. He is licensed and insured for all residential electrical needs. Through his experience working in the electrical field at Bither’s Electric, Korhonen decided to pursue his electrician’s degree.
One of the Shiretown’s biggest success stories in the business community decided to close its doors and relocate to central Maine. Twenty 2 Vodka, owned and operated by the husband and wife team of Scott Galbiati and Jessica Jewell, closed the doors of its Houlton distribution center and was in the process of relocating to Brewer. The two founded the Northern Maine Distilling Company in 2006, and released their first batch of Twenty 2 Micro Distilled Vodka in September 2009.
A building that was once a booming automobile shop and dealership in the heart of downtown Island Falls was getting new lease on life. Peter Connelly and Jason Tarr were busy restoring the building that will be home to the new River Café restaurant and gathering place.
April
Sha’born Armstrong, 22, opened Asian Karate Institute (AKI) in Houlton, but what you find in his dojo was different than other local martial art schools. Armstrong focused on kickboxing.
A new thrift store opened in Monticello as the Catholic Charities Home Supplies and Food Bank took part of its storage area for its recycling center at 155 U.S. Route 1 and turned it into a spacious 100 foot long storefront area.
Virtual Tech continued to spread its wings as Doug and Londa Boreland opened a new store at 59 Main St. in Houlton. The spacious shop offered the Borelands not only a place for tech support, but also an avenue to sell a variety of computer items such as CD’s, DVD’s, cords, video ports and the like.
The Millar Civic Center was the place to be as the 2013 Southern Aroostook Trade Show entertained large crowds. The trade show has become an annual rite of Spring, providing attendees with a wealth of information on topics such as local banking, satellite television, Internet, artwork, alternative heating sources, all-terrain and recreational vehicles, garden and farming equipment.
Country North Gifts reopened and under new management. Robin Crone took over ownership of the 17 Market Square store in Houlton in February, from Gail Scovill and Lois Bates and steadily worked to give the business her own personal touch. Crone hoped that Country North Gifts remained a fixture within the Shiretown for many years to come.
May
Amato’s, an Italian sandwich, pasta and pizza eatery founded in Portland back in 1902, announced it was coming to Houlton. Micah and Jessica Desmond of Presque Isle expanded Amato’s presence in the County by opening on North Street in the former KFC building.
Peter Ruskis reopened Carol’s Country Yarns in his home, as a way to keep his wife’s memory alive and to honor her through the love of knitting. Carol Horner opened the doors of Carol’s Country Yarns to the public on July 3, 2004. The shop was situated in Fishmann’s Mall, until its closing in February.
Three finalists were selected for the 2013 Aroostook Entrepreneur of the Year contest sponsored by LEADers Encouraging Aroostook Development, Momentum Aroostook, University of Maine at Fort Kent, Northern Maine Community College, University of Maine at Presque Isle and Husson University. The finalists, in alphabetical order, are Bison Pumps in Houlton, owned by David Harbison; Fiddlehead Focus in Fort Kent, owner/publisher Andrew Birden; and Northern Maine Media WHOU in Houlton, owner Fred Grant.
June
Nestled inside Houlton Regional Hospital was one of the best-kept secrets in the local business community. It has been there for decades, but the public is yet to tap fully into the source. The Esther Catherine Kelly Bragan Memorial Gift Shop, overseen by the Houlton Regional Hospital Ladies’ Auxiliary, gives a minimum of $10,000 annually to the hospital to help fund a variety of projects such as the mammogram machine, a motorized wheelchair and this year, a microscope for the lab.
This year’s winner of the Houlton Rotary Service Above Self award was Hodgdon High School.
A small group of people in the town — producers as well as consumers — was getting together to work on an initiative to incorporate a consumer cooperative in southern Aroostook County.
Those traveling along the North Road have a new place to grab a bite to eat, as the Lunch Box is open for business. The Lunch Box, located in the parking lot of Paradis’ Shop N’ Save, and adjacent to Walmart, celebrated its grand opening. Owned and operated by Shawn and Denise Campbell of Linneus, The Lunch Box offers foods that patrons of local fairs and festivals have come to love, such as hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, steak and cheese subs, lobster rolls, French fries, onion rings, chips, nachos and ice cream, as well as sodas and bottled water.
