What kinds of businesses do you wish Maine had more of? (Bangor: theater, restaurants)

[mainebrokerman]

Originally Posted by entyss

Book stores! We need more book stores...

does the internet take away from reading books??

one concept i proposed to an investor a few yrs back, was a bookstore..cafe with internet access, yet,,also have a smoothie and tea bar (have a huge stone fireplace,) one wall would be for customers trying to sell used books.

i also like the "how to" store,,,,how to do just about anything yourself, and give hands on demonstrations, from cooking/bbq sampling to building a stone wall, from books and monitors(tv's with cd's scrolling) also id be letting local craftman advertise for free (so long as they do thier demo's)

also like the idea of a store called "earning and learning" your entrepenurial kids....
one side of the store would sell crafts/woodworking kits, the other half of the store would be for displaying the finish product to sell to the public...
for example, i could go buy a "kit" to build a breadbox,(or bookcase or coffee table, just about anything, with the wood included and instructions),,,put it together with my son, he would learn about profits, attention to detail, etc,,, bring it back to the store to display to sell to the public

this would be great for kids, especially today, where theyd get the concept of making something with thier hands and using tools,,,the store could also sell tools,,,
even if a kid doesnt want to "sell" thier item,,they could give it away as a gift...
also could have a picture of the kid who built the item on display....behind thier item they built..

[peachie_in_maine]

Originally Posted by mainebrokerman

there roadside sign has been on tv many times,( guns, wedding gowns, beer)

I've missed it, I don't have tv. I have no time for it.

[starwalker]

Originally Posted by Zymer

Thanks ranger, and Winterport carries the Baffins too...not to mention numerous other goodies.

Star, they say they carry women's sizes too.

Next time we're down that way we'll check them out. Sounds like they might have something that would fit K too...

[Julicious719]

coffee shops! a bowling alley! sports bars....

[Zymer]

Originally Posted by mainebrokerman

does the internet take away from reading books??

one concept i proposed to an investor a few yrs back, was a bookstore..cafe with internet access, yet,,also have a smoothie and tea bar (have a huge stone fireplace,) one wall would be for customers trying to sell used books.

There is a combination coffee shop/internet cafe/bookstore in downtown Bangor. Use your own computer with wireless for free, or their computer for a fee.

[dramamama6685]

Originally Posted by Zymer

There is a combination coffee shop/internet cafe/bookstore in downtown Bangor. Use your own computer with wireless for free, or their computer for a fee.

That would be a cute idea for Eastport, but I don't know if there would be the foot traffic to keep it afloat.

[Elcarim]

Originally Posted by Zymer

There is a combination coffee shop/internet cafe/bookstore in downtown Bangor. Use your own computer with wireless for free, or their computer for a fee.

Our equivalent is Starbucks........the only thing I've never seen in one is a computer to borrow. But I think they all have free Wifi now.

[BacktoNE]

Originally Posted by Siobjuan

I'd like to see a community workshop. A place where regular folks can pay a nominal fee to learn something practical. gardening, farming, raising livestock, personal economy, parenting classes...whatever.

This is a great idea!!! In the towns where adult ed is offered, you can find a lot of these classes, but what about the other towns? They don't get the same help and this would fill the void very nicely.

[Elcarim]

Originally Posted by BacktoNE

This is a great idea!!! In the towns where adult ed is offered, you can find a lot of these classes, but what about the other towns? They don't get the same help and this would fill the void very nicely.

They need classes for people "from away"! Seriously, someone is going to have to teach us how to use oil heat, how to use a woodstove, how to shovel the driveway, etc!! Then, the gardening, hiking, snow shoeing, etc. will also be things we'll have to learn. I know that LL Bean has some sporting tutorials you can take - oh yes, kayaking!

I think community workshops are a fantastic idea! Maybe if they hold one on the proper lighting and maintenance of a woodstove, we won't burn the town down!! Fortunately, the house we'll be starting out in doesn't have any wood burning heat - but we don't know how to use oil heating appliances, either. There are dozens of practicle things we need to learn.

[BacktoNE]

Originally Posted by Elcarim

They need classes for people "from away"! Seriously, someone is going to have to teach us how to use oil heat, how to use a woodstove, how to shovel the driveway, etc!! Then, the gardening, hiking, snow shoeing, etc. will also be things we'll have to learn. I know that LL Bean has some sporting tutorials you can take - oh yes, kayaking!

I think community workshops are a fantastic idea! Maybe if they hold one on the proper lighting and maintenance of a woodstove, we won't burn the town down!! Fortunately, the house we'll be starting out in doesn't have any wood burning heat - but we don't know how to use oil heating appliances, either. There are dozens of practicle things we need to learn.

Oil heat is very easy El. You just have the system cleaned and serviced once a year and then, when it gets chilly, turn up the thermostat. No filters to change every month like with gas heat. No worry about sparks and blowing up the house (or at least not as easily as with gas). Best thing is to get set up with one company and have a service contract. Those service plans can save you a ton of money. Plus, with a contract, if you have a problem in the middle of the night or on the weekend, you can call for help without worrying about the cost. It's covered.

Woodstoves? I don't have the first clue but will be learning upon our return because I refuse to pay $4000 a year to heat a small house.


I love your enthusiasm for your new home