Let’s play a game

Let’s play a game. So far, we’ve had a lot of serious articles about the revitalization of downtown Presque Isle. Now, let’s have some fun.
I’m going to ask a series of questions, and you see if you can answer them. The answers will be at the end of the next article.     1) Which building housed the first Zayre store in Presque Isle? Where was Woolworth’s at the same time? What business is currently located in the old Woolworth’s spot?
2) What is the oldest building on Main Street? What is there now?
3) What business was named after a famous racehorse? What year did it open?
4) What new business has recently located in the Fred P. Stevens building? By the way, WELCOME to that new business! We’re glad you moved here!
5) What is the name of the store next to Dwight’s Barber Shop?
6) What restaurant is located in a building that originally belonged to a doctor and later, his son, who is now a retired (semi-retired?) judge?
7) What building is now in the location where the old Sears store used to be?
8) Many residents in Presque Isle used to love to shop in this store that is almost across from the Northeastland Hotel, and have lunches and snacks at the counter. This building is located at 435 Main St. What store was it? What store is there now?
9) How many old-fashioned street lamps are there on Main Street?
10) The first Music Shop used to be located next to a drug store in the 1960s on Main Street. There is currently another business there that has taken up both spots. What is that business? For extra points, what was the name of the drug store?
It might be fun to take a walk with your family down Main Street and see if you can find the answers to these questions. See if you can picture the buildings that used to inhabit the downtown. Then, see if you can imagine what these areas might look like in the future when our revitalization efforts are successful, and what they might look like if there were no revitalization efforts.
We also ask that you make a special effort to support the local merchants. In order for them to remain in business and better serve the community, they need your patronage. All too often one hears people say that there is nothing to do in Presque Isle, but that’s changing, and the only way to continue improving things is for us to do business locally as much as possible.
Soon, the Presque Isle Downtown Revitalization Committee will be offering opportunities for the community to become more involved in our revitalization activities. As many people have noticed, there has been significant change on Main Street. With an enhanced partnership with the city government that will be taking us to a new level, we will need the help of energetic, creative, active, concerned citizens, as well as businesses, to assist us in meeting future goals that will lead toward a more energetic and economically viable downtown.
You can get more information about the PIDRC by e-mailing us at: pidrc@yahoo.com or by calling Sandy Gauvin (764-0876), Cathy Beaulieu at Wilder’s Jewelry Store (764-0309), or Patty LeBlanc (769-7731), or you can contact us through the information listed below. We meet at the Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce on the Houlton Road at 7:30 a.m. on the first and third Thursdays of each month. We invite you to join in our efforts to help our wonderful city.
Please write us with your thoughts and opinions. It’s your city and we need your input. You can e-mail us at pidrc@yahoo.com or write us at:     The Presque Isle Downtown Revitalization Committee, 411 Main St., Presque Isle, Maine 04769.
The Presque Isle Downtown Revitalization Committee is
an ad hoc committee of the Presque Isle City Council