Downtown Presque Isle will kick off its holiday celebration with the annual Main Street Mania on Friday, Nov. 22.
The event had its roots in what used to be the Black Friday frenzy. Local merchants wanted a piece of that pie.
When Main Street Mania started 22 years ago, the festive spirit attracted people. But crowds have grown because Presque Isle’s downtown has undergone a transformation. Empty storefronts no longer need to be filled with decorations to look lively, since new businesses have moved in to fill those spaces. The growth increases residents’ drive to shop locally, business owners said.
Cathy Beaulieu, owner of Wilder’s Jewelry Store and a longtime member of Presque Isle’s Downtown Revitalization Committee, founded Main Street Mania to boost local shopping. In its first year, three businesses participated. This year there are 15.
“Back over 20 years ago, Black Friday was a really big deal,” Beaulieu said. “We thought if we could get a crack at sales the week before, it would be great.”
For that reason, Main Street Mania has always been held the Friday before Thanksgiving. It’s a time people remember.
Mike Chasse of Bike Board & Ski and Sherry Sullivan of Governor’s and Ferris BBQ are among those who’ve helped organize through the years, Beaulieu said.
The event has changed a bit. Merchants used to hand out brochures for people to have signed at each store, and usually had pre-determined schedules for in-store specials. Both complicated things for shoppers and for the businesses, which had to have plans and materials made far in advance, she said.
Now, store owners choose their own promotions. Everything is also clustered in the downtown area, Beaulieu said. At one point the event included businesses that weren’t all within walking distance, which made it difficult for shoppers.
Being consistent yet willing to adapt to what customers want is key, she said.
Business owners are already decorating their stores for the festive evening.
Danielle Atcheson Peterson, owner of Ever Rhode Boutique, was busy Friday, loading gift displays with items. She plans refreshments, in-store specials and some free surprises as well, she said.
Last year was her first time participating, and the store was so full no one could move inside, she said. She loves the idea of Main Street Mania because, with the variety of businesses that now line the downtown, people can go from store to store and check off their gift lists. The festive spirit is contagious, she said.
“Every store is usually blasting Christmas music, and usually does drinks and snacks,” she said. “It’s a fun night and people have a great time.”
At Home Ec Market, owner Jordyn Kinney was decorating the tree in her window on Friday. The sustainable-living market opened in 2023 and just recently moved to a new, larger location a few doors down.
Kinney was blown away last year by the number of people that crowded into the store. She had to put arrows on the floor to direct the bottleneck, she said. She plans to offer different Mania specials and is excited to be a part of the growing downtown scene.
“It’s just exploded, the number of businesses on Main Street now,” said Jordyn Kinney, owner of Home Ec Market. “We’ve seen so much community support in the last couple of years that we’ve been able to open so many businesses and have that downtown feel.”
Others participating in Main Street Mania include Bike Board & Ski, Country Collectibles, Designer Refind LLC, Ferris, Glow ‘n Go, Governor’s, Hub Coffee, Morningstar Art & Framing, Neighborhood Books, the Northeastland Hotel, Simon & Estelle and Star City IGA.
Events like this not only draw more customers, but reinforce connections between merchants, Beaulieu said. Businesses succeed when their neighbors succeed.
“For us to survive, nobody’s an island,” she said. “Lots of times, stores like ours have an independent spirit, but you still need each other.”
