FORT KENT — Quigley’s Building Supply, located at 35 West Main Street in Fort Kent, will have a new owner. The S.W. Collins Co. is expanding its fifth-generation, family-owned lumber and building supply company to include Quigley’s family business in the St. John Valley. The newly expanded S.W. Collins will continue to offer excellent products and legendary service in the community.
This is both the end of an era and the beginning of a new one as the two family-owned businesses meld, said officials with both companies.
“I am looking forward to retirement while Justin [Dubois] and ‘the crew’ will remain as the friendly faces you will continue to see when you walk through the doors,” said Karen Ouellette, previous owner of Quigley’s. “Under the new ownership of Sam and Gregg [Collins], Quigley’s will not only grow and prosper, it will give customers Valley-wide a wider selection of products, continued great service, and great pricing opportunities for their building and hardware needs.”
Sam Collins, the president of S.W. Collins Co. and the third Sam Collins to guide the business, and Gregg Collins, vice president, look forward to better serving the people of the St. John Valley.
“My brother Gregg and I have always had a friendly and competitive relationship with the Quigley Company, and we have the utmost respect for Karen, Justin and the associates,” said Sam Collins.
“We welcome Quigley’s into the S.W. Collins fold and are invigorated by the new opportunities. Being located in the St. John Valley will enable us to better serve all of Aroostook County and beyond more efficiently. The entire S.W. Collins Co. is excited about becoming a part of the fabric of the local community and playing an active and positive role,” Collins said.
This change preserves the rich history of both multi-generational family-owned companies. The Quigley family has operated their business since 1944 after buying H.W. Coffin Lumber & Building Materials. Quigley’s Building Supply quickly developed a key role in the Valley as it became the general contractor for some of Fort Kent’s largest projects, such as Fort Kent Community High School, Pinkham Lumber Mill in Ashland, and some of the buildings at the University of Maine at Fort Kent.
Similarly, S.W. Collins Co. began in 1844, with the original Samuel Wilson Collins building a sawmill in Caribou that flourished in the central Aroostook area under his leadership. These similar traditions and values as a multi-generation family business will remain as the foundation of the Fort Kent location and the entire SW Collins Co. moving forward.
S.W. Collins has lumber and building supply stores in Caribou, Presque Isle, Houlton and a recently opened store in Lincoln.
