What type of business does Boothbay need?
You’re walking down the street in the harbor and you see it: a shuttered business.
Maybe it’s a shop you never went to, a restaurant you were hoping would survive past its first season, or someplace that was open for years and years.
There’s no question it’s hard to make a go of a new business in a region that relies on tourists and unpredictable fisheries for its economic well-being. And businesses close or move and reopen all the time. But have you ever thought about what Boothbay really needs?
Maybe you see that empty building and hope a new taco joint will open up, or stroll past Romar’s bowling alley and remember good times spent with friends.
We want to hear your opinion. What type of business does Boothbay really need? What do you hope to see this coming year (and for years to come)? What do you usually leave the peninsula for, but wish you could get closer to home?
Leave your comments in the Disqus commenting section below or send an email to news@boothbayregister.com.
Responses
Anne Jewett says: “A general store like the one that just closed, for food items, coffee, sandwiches and the like is needed. In addition some nicer shops than T-shirts and the like. I think the size of the parking spaces, and too many, too large two-hour-limit signs detract from the village. It is not at all inviting. Still it is a lovely area and needs to not be too touristy.”
George Richardson says: “I would first like to see the bowling alley reopened and have it open year round. Second, I would like to see a jewelry/pottery studio open where one could make their own jewelry and paint pottery and have it fired in a kiln. Third, an appliance store would be a good addition. If Grover's or Hancock added a few appliances they would increase business volume.”
Paul Roy says: “We need ... restaurants that are less expensive in the winter months. Most of the locals cannot afford to eat out, for prices in Boothbay Harbor are geared for tourist(s). We only have tourist(s) between late spring and early fall. The rest of the year is a ghost town. So what happens (is) that business does well, when tourist(s) are here. But during the offseason that don’t make enough to pay for the rent and (they) have to move or end up in bankruptcy.”
Nikki Pankowicz says: I'd love to see the bowling alley back in business. It was such a great family activity. It would be a wonderful plus to enjoying the harbor. Next, please ... no more art galleries or T-shirt shops. I think we are "covered" ... both on our walls and on our bodies ... with the choices we now have. Maybe an antique coop (like the artist coop) where dealers display their wares and take turns running the shop. A kite/banner/flag shop might be novel. Perhaps a do-it-yourself craft center where kids/adults/families/parties could do projects ... ceramics, sand candles, embellish a picture frame, etc.
“Others can add to these possibilities. I'm retired and very blessed to be a part of this community. But hopefully there are some energetic entrepreneurs out there who are willing to try something new and different.”
Billie Howard-Goldsmith says: “Every time we walk by the old bowling alley it saddens me to see such a valuable piece of real estate empty and rotting. It would be nice to have a local bowling alley or even a bottle club where local bands could play and there could be chem free nights for the kids or just a place for the kids to go after school. At the very least it would offer tourists a place to take their kids to ‘hang out.’ There really is nothing to do with the kids if you can’t afford to pay ransom for a whale watch or clambake. It could even be used as a place for children’s birthday parties or for adults to have functions (baby showers, wedding showers, family gatherings).
“As far as traveling off the peninsula, we often go to Augusta, Brunswick or even Portland when someone needs a pair of shoes or an article of affordable clothing not available in town. We frequent Wal-Mart for more affordable and better choice in grocery items than Hannaford offers and definitely more affordable prescriptions. In the winter months when we want to dine out there is so little available here and choices so limited we will often travel. Although we are excited to have the new Asian restaurant in town which gives us a very affordable alternative.
“We were happy to see the Dollar Store thinking there is a place to grab a cheap gift bag or wrapping paper or other sundry items but their prices are ridiculous for a Dollar Store which seems to be the consensus with people I’ve heard from.
“Another thing we miss is a year around diner type establishment. When I was a kid we had Jessie’s Diner downtown where people would sit and have coffee and pie and just socialize ... kind of a town meeting where the “old timers” would discuss issues or just catch up and enjoy an old fashioned breakfast or hearty lunch. Bottom line ... how many art galleries and jewelry stores do we really need downtown? And though we cater to the summer crowd, come Labor Day, we year-around residents have very little during our long winter months and as much as we’d like to support local business we are forced to leave town.”
Patty Seybold says: “We need a Community Center! We need more year-round cafes and meeting spaces. The Red Cup (Coffeehouse) is great. People can come there all day and hang out, use Wi-Fi, meet with friends or business people. Is there an opportunity for a similar place that's more family friendly? The library is nice, but it's not a good place to have a discussion or a meeting. We have to be quiet there. The Y is fine, but not everybody belongs and there's not a "drop in/hang out" area where non-members and members alike could meet and greet informally.
“There are a lot of folks who just want somewhere to go during the day to get out of the house and see people and maybe have a meeting with someone .... Research shows that communities that support serendipitous connections tend to foster more entrepreneurial activities.
“So, where could we have a "Community Center" that has space for people to hang out, meet one another, just sit and read the papers, let kids play while grown ups talk, have a place where kids can go after school to study or to hang out in a kid-friendly space with free Internet access, a place where anyone can buy a cup of coffee or tea or some soup, or a cookie, but that's not a restaurant per se. You can go there and hang out whether or not you have money to spend. Different civic and volunteer groups could have meetings there, and could sponsor snacks and hand out information or recruit volunteers.
“Is this a ‘for profit’ business idea? No, But I believe it would spawn a lot of new businesses and new connections by providing a fertile place for people of all ages to hang out and to rub shoulders.”
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