Editor’s Note: The following is the second of two articles highlighting some of the top business stories from 2020. This article highlights events from July to December.
July
Staff members of hotels in the Presque Isle area reported that out-of-state stays had severely declined during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some noted that more in-state residents were taking “Mainecations” to Aroostook County during the pandemic, and that new measures by the governor’s office would make it easier for out-of-state residents to travel and stay in Maine.
Northern Maine Community College received a minibus from the discontinued Presque Isle Loop. University officials said they hoped to use the 16-passenger bus when students travel for classes, as well as for charitable efforts by students.
Dozens lined up as Pronto Burrito opened at the Aroostook Centre Mall on July 13, offering fast casual Tex Mex food in an area that does not have a Chipotle or Qdoba. A new location later opened in Caribou, but the Presque Isle spot closed in November. Owner Jasper Leronimo attributed the closing — which he said was not permanent — to the difficult business environment created by the pandemic.
Customers order and wait for their food at Pronto Burrito’s grand opening at Aroostook Centre Mall in Presque Isle on Monday, July 13. (David Marino Jr. | The Star-Herald)
August
Grace Tarr opened Hometown Hair Design on Aug. 18 at the former location of The Pizza House in Mapleton. Tarr — a Mapleton native — began the business after moving back to Aroostook County from Massachusetts.
The Aroostook Agency on Aging granted nearly $10,000 to assist adults who are older or have disabilities as they deal with the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. The mini-awards went to five non-profits across northern Maine.
September
The Book Nook — a location where people can choose from thousands of books and contribute to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library — continued to grow after moving to a new location in the Aroostook Centre Mall. In 2019, The Book Nook raised nearly $10,000.
Jan Grieco and Tracy Roberts expanded their Perham-based herbal tea business Great North Woods Teas & Herbs. It initially sold dozens of blends of tea at farmers markets and craft fairs, but the pair have begun selling the recipes at local businesses, including Annie’s Bake Shoppe in Ashland and Confectionately Yours in Presque Isle.
Jan Grieco (left) and Tracy Roberts, business partners with Great North Woods Teas & Herbs, at the Presque Isle Farmers Market (Melissa Lizotte | The Star Herald)
Ryon Basu, former head chef at the defunct Cafe Sorpreso in Presque Isle, starts Basu’s Kitchen — a restaurant based in his home. Basu put the menu on Facebook and gave people the opportunity for curbside pickup or delivery to homes across the Presque Isle area.
October
Presque Isle International Airport began offering flights to both Newark Liberty International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport, giving Star City residents a gateway to both the New York and Washington, D.C., metro areas.
With several new renovations to its interior and a new line of barbecue sauces, the Timberwolves restaurant in Mars Hill was more than ready to offer a safe and dynamic place to eat during the current turbulent times. Owner Michael Stiggle said it was important that the restaurant not just serve food, but be part of the greater community.
November
United Way of Aroostook, along with WAGM-TV and the Aroostook County Action Program, hosted a nearly day-long telethon on Nov. 19 to raise money for Aroostook County families who struggle to afford heat during the region’s harsh winters. The goal of the telethon was to raise $60,000.
More than 1,000 adults and 240 children received flu shots during a clinic at Northern Light A.R. Gould in Presque Isle. Officials speculated that the COVID-19 pandemic may have driven the higher than usual turnout.
The Saturn model in Westfield — part of the to scale Maine Solar System Model across Aroostook County — was temporarily taken down so that it could be renovated in Beaulieu’s Garage in Caribou. A new fiberglass cover and paint will be added to it, with the plan being to get it back up in May.
The Aroostook County Action Program received a $10,000 donation from Versant Power to assist it as it helped families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
December
The Presque Isle Historical Society holds its fifth annual Victorian Christmas at the Estey event. Though there were some new restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tour was able to go off largely similar to past years.
Kim Smith showcases an 1872 Penny Farthing bicycle, one of numerous inventions to come from the Victorian era. (Melissa Lizotte | The Star Herald)
The United Way of Aroostook’s Santa Sleigh Program — which has provided gifts to more than 900 children in past Christmases — continued to provide support during the COVID-19 pandemic. United Way officials reported multiple donations as many expected the number of needy families to rise due to the economic effects of the pandemic.
Passengers were reportedly down more than 60 percent at Presque Isle International Airport, as many resisted flying while COVID-19 rates rose nationwide. Airport Director Scott Wardwell said that he hoped numbers would reverse when COVID-19 vaccines became more widely available, but said the rising popularity of Zoom and other remote communication services could alter business travel long after the pandemic.
