To the editor:
I’ve been thinking, and maybe some of you would agree, that Presque Isle should change its slogan from Star City to Drug City, or maybe Pot City.
Seriously, it’s wonderful to have the Main Street store fronts full, but do we really need seven stores on Main Street that sell cannabis? What do we want Presque Isle to be known for?
Certainly it won’t be as a family tourist destination. We have lost at least seven restaurants since the pandemic hit. I for one would love to see a new restaurant come to town. We have now lost Oriental Pearl, Bonanza, Burger King, JP Market(not a restaurant but had great food), the Northeastland’s Sidewalk Cafe, Cafe Sorpreso and Winnie’s. Our take-out lines in PI seem to be miles long, as is the wait, and we get another new cannabis store.
When is enough going to be enough? Maybe it’s time to start thinking in another direction for our Main Street that tourists might want to shop or eat at. Retail stores, restaurants, a clothing store, museum, bakery or antiques — something other than cannabis to promote our city. Maybe a year-round ice cream shop. Houlton Farms has lines from opening to after closing all summer long.
Finally someone had the courage to open a bookstore, and I applaud the retail stores who stayed open on Main Street through these hard times. Please support them all you can.
I’ll leave you with this great slogan: “Just because it’s legal, doesn’t mean it’s safe.” Well, my own slogan is: “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”
Sheena McHatten
Castle Hill
