FORT KENT, Maine — Two Fort Kent businesses have merged to create what may be the only location in Maine where you can buy books and have a facial under the same roof.
Skin Serenity by Stephanie recently welcomed Bogan Books into its 291 West Main St. location.
Both have been in business since before the pandemic. The arrangement helps the owners financially, and as a result, the two woman-owned businesses have increased their reach with crossover customers.
“A lot of hairdressers, aestheticians and salon owners will have other salon providers renting from them,” Skin Serenity owner Stephanie Pelletier said. “I just happen to have a bookstore renting from me, so it’s a little more unique.”
Pelletier launched her business in July 2019. She rents the entire space, and Bogan Books owner Jamie Pelletier rents the front section of the store from her.
Customers entering the building will be greeted by shelves of books and can then continue into the next room for skincare, ranging from mini facials to full body waxes.
The new location focuses on the common theme of self-care by offering books and beauty, or as one of their customers recently put it, “Brazilians and books,” referencing Brazilian waxing, which is among the most popular skin care services offered.
Stephanie Pelletier said that she and Jamie, who are not related, have been friends for several years and decided to try out a shared location.
Bogan Books originally opened in 2018. Jamie Pelletier later bought the business in 2024 from owner Heidi Carter. At the time of the shop’s opening, it was one of the only bookstores in Aroostook County primarily focused on selling new books.
In 2022, Bogan Books was selected by Downeast Magazine as one of the best independent shopping stores of the year.
The bookstore has been doing well, Jamie Pelletier said. She recently closed it temporarily due to some sickness and because she recently had a baby, but even during those periods customers still reached out and purchased books from her, she said.
She also has held book signings, and has a new one lined up for Feb. 19 with local author Jessica Belch, which will be the first in the new space.
As an aesthetician, Stephanie Pelletier performs facials, body waxes and treatments, and other beauty services like event makeup for weddings. Her most popular service is Brazilian waxing, a process that removes hair from intimate areas, she said.
The move made sense financially and in terms of its location, which is near restaurants, the town office and directly across the street from a busy gas station. The women have been operating at the new combined location for the past couple of weeks, Stephanie Pelletier said.
While Jamie Pelletier said she has not had as much time to read lately, Stephanie is always helping with book recommendations.
“We bounce ideas off each other, and I love having somebody else here,” she said. “She talks about books all the time, which is great. It’s really beneficial for both of us.”
The two businesses are planning to have an official grand opening and ribbon cutting with the Greater Fort Kent Area Chamber of Commerce early next month.
Though their doors haven’t been open long, the combined business has already garnered crossover customers.
“The other day we had overlapping schedules, and a couple of my clients picked up a book from [Jamie],” Stephanie Pelletier said. “And some of her people have been asking about what I do, so it’s really good for the both of us.”