HOULTON, Maine — Storekeepers in downtown Houlton admit they’ve seen the faltering economy hit their businesses hard, but some are also saying that recently customers are on the upswing.
Some also believe the economic climate may be partly responsible for a burgeoning push to buy locally grown and made products.
The landscape of the historic downtown changed over the last decade when prospective business owners disregarded Market Square and opted instead to locate along the busy stretch of U.S. Route 1 on the outskirts of town.
While the area continues to flourish, many of the storefronts in the downtown that once were vacant now are full, and several business owners said Friday they’re seeing success despite the economic situation.
“Business has been picking up here every week,” Patty Schools, owner of the Cozy Corner, said Friday afternoon. “It has been nice.”
Schools bought the store from a previous owner and reopened it as her own on April 1.
The store sells gifts, clothing, crafts and other wares. Schools said many shoppers flock to her stash of consignment clothing when they stop in.
“People seem to like it,” she noted. “A lot of people are looking for the popular brand-name clothing, and they can get it here without paying as high a price.”
Schools also said she has heard more and more people saying they are trying to shop locally.
The growing downtown is now home to an eclectic mix of restaurants, gift shops, fitness centers and bakeries. The Temple Theatre continues to lure moviegoers, and recent additions to the downtown include the Solid Rock Fitness Center, Shiretown Video Variety, the Houlton School of Martial Arts, and Zippy’s, a seasonal outdoor restaurant that is operating for its second year.
At the Hollywood Pet Salon in Market Square, co-owner Lorraine Monfils said that even though people are struggling financially, she saw a brief decline in business at her pet grooming salon, but it has picked up.
“We are booked two weeks out,” Monfils said. “It’s great.”
Monfils said she became “a bit worried” last December when business slowed down briefly, but everything changed in early January.
“In January, things just got crazy,” she said. “The economic downturn has not hurt us too badly. People still want their pets taken care of, so people are still here buying. I have seen a lot of new customers, and I am so pleased.”
Monfils said she has even fielded calls from Houlton natives who now live out of state and are planning a trip home.
“They have called to book appointments to have their pets groomed while they are here,” she added.
Next door at Visions, which sells artwork and houses an art gallery, volunteers said they have seen some busy days. Dot Fitzpatrick, who was working at the store Friday afternoon, said the store was busy over the recent holiday weekend.
Fellow worker Jon Abbott agreed, saying he felt the store was getting steady business on weekdays.
Town Manager Doug Hazlett credits much of the success of the growing downtown to the efforts of the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce. He said the Chamber and its executive director, Lori Weston, have “brought activity and attention to the downtown.”
“We have a working downtown, and it is a destination,” he said Friday afternoon. “People can come to Market Square and go see a show at the theater and have their pick of restaurants to go to after the show. The new community market also is a draw.”
He added that the downtown is home to a number of apartments, mainly second- and third-story complexes located over storefronts. Construction also has begun on Market Square Commons, a $2.5 million, three-story senior citizen housing complex. The project will have 28 units and is scheduled to open late next year.
“People live in our downtown,” he said. “It does not close at 5 p.m. We also have a walkable downtown next to a beautiful new [Gateway Crossing] footbridge and a new [Riverfront] park. People enjoy it.”
Still, he said Friday, the work on Market Square will not stop. The town continues to work on a project to post signs on Interstate 95 that will direct more traffic to the downtown.
Amy Simpson, 37, was shopping for home decor in Market Square on Friday afternoon. She said that she, her husband and children recently moved to town to be closer to family and that she regularly shops in the downtown and likes the atmosphere.
“It really is very easy to park your car in one spot and hit all kinds of shops quickly,” she said. “I like the big-box stores, but the downtown shops have unique gifts. I always find something I want. Plus, I just like to support local businesses.”