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V O L . X X V N O. X X V I N OV E M B E R 1 1 , 2 0 1 9 6 Olympia Sports to close 8 stores ree weeks after a Colorado company acquired roughly half of Westbrook- based Olympia Sports' 152 athletic apparel stores, the other half — includ- ing eight stores in Maine — began liq- uidating the stores on Oct. 31. Olympia is working with SB360 Capital Partners LLC, an asset liquidation consul- tant based in New York, to conduct closing sales at 76 stores, according to a news release. Olympia operates 16 retail branches in Maine, accord- ing to its website. Stores preparing to close are in Bangor, Belfast, Biddeford, Farmington, Freeport, Sanford, South Paris and Wells. e remaining stores will be in Auburn, Ellsworth, Falmouth, Presque Isle, Rockland, South Portland, Waterville and Windham. Olympia was founded in 1975 by Ed Manganello Sr. with a single shop at the Maine Mall in South Portland. e company has grown dramatically since then, at one time operating over 200 stores from Maine to Virginia. N O T E W O R T H Y S T A T E W I D E OYA Solar, an early stage developer of solar projects, said it is launching development operations in Maine. The company uses a community-based de- velopment approach, working closely with landowners and owners of build- ings and parking lots to find the best solution from community solar, virtual net metering and onsite solar. Portland police investigate string of burglaries Portland police said they are investigat- ing a string of over a dozen burglaries at commercial establishments in the city between Aug. 23 and Oct. 30. Auto- related businesses seem to have been favorite targets of the two-month crime spree. Jiffy Lube, at 260 Riverside St., was burglarized twice, once in September and once in October, according to a news release. Paulin's Tire & Auto Care was also burglarized twice, at its 1036 Forest Ave. branch in September and the 1020 Congress St. location a month later. Police said that while there are simi- larities in the 15 crimes, it's too early to determine if the burglaries are related. N O T E W O R T H Y S O U T H E R N The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded a $1.75 million grant to the New England Environmental Finance Center of the University of Southern Maine to establish and administer a Technical Assistance Network in sup- port of EPA New England's Southeast New England Program for Coastal Watershed Restoration. B U S I N E S S M A I N E Business news from around the state S T A T E W I D E S O U T H E R N Portland to host national governors' meeting next summer — Big-time event in a big election year Presque Isle bus service off to a strong start — A much- needed public transit addition Maine completes regs for legal pot industry — Um, high time? Kennebunkport affordable housing project takes a step forward — A small step, with a half dozen units, but a step nonetheless Portland police probe string of commercial burglaries — But not much in the way of helpful information coming out of probe Olympia Sports begins ringing up final sales at 8 Maine stores — Sorry to see them go Former Maine video store owner convicted for pirating thousands of movies — Hard to defend when every movie has the warning at the beginning Three Portland-area businesses close their doors — Ironically, two of the closings came out of the economy being strong C R E D I T S & D E B I T S Three Portland-area businesses close their doors B y M a i n e b i z S t a f f P o r t l a n d — Within 24 hours of one another, three Portland-area businesses announced they planned to shut down operations. Happy Wheels Skate Center, a Portland roller skating rink in business for over 40 years, will close Dec. 15, according to a post Oct. 30 on its Facebook page. The rink, at 331 Warren Ave., has been sold to a developer, the post said. No further information was available. Happy Wheels offers "traditional skating and inline skates for everyone, from toddlers to senior citizens," according to its website. The rink has long been a popular venue for parties and group events, and hosts Maine Roller Derby games. "Please come by to get your last memory, last lap, say your goodbyes," Happy Wheels said on Facebook. "Thank you for your patronage." By the following morning, the post had attracted over 425 comments and been shared almost 930 times. That same day, Scratch Baking Co. announced it would close Toast Bar, a South Portland purveyor of artisanal toast dishes. The bakery's spin-off, at 207 Broadway, had closed "temporarily" in September and reopened again Oct. 17. "Unfortunately with the current labor shortage we just can't find the staff to provide the experience and service to our customers that is so important to us," Scratch Baking said on Facebook. The eatery might re-open next year or be used for private events, accord- ing to the post. Several Facebook users reacted with disappointment, and one noted that the unemployment rate in Portland- South Portland is at a near-record low of 1.9%. "Consequence of a booming economy. Very understandable busi- ness decision," the post read. Scratch owners Bob Johnson, Allison Reid and Sonja Swanberg opened Toast Bar in 2016 in a former Getty gas station, a half mile from the Scratch Baking flagship, at 416 Preble St. The focus on charred-bread dishes — such as whole-wheat toast covered with cheddar cheese sauce and roasted broccoli — is part of national trend that began in San Francisco five years ago. Toast Bar appeared to be Maine's only cafe devoted to the craze, although bagels were also on the menu. In another shut-down, On the Border, a national chain of over 100 Mexican- food restaurants, has closed its South Portland location. The sole Maine branch closed Oct. 29, according to social media reports. On the Border's Facebook page said the restaurant at 420 Maine Mall Road had closed permanently. Maine Department of Labor set up one of its "rapid response" teams to help On the Border employees get placed into new jobs, secure health insurance and possibly collect unemployment insurance. B R I E F P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F S C R AT C H B A K I N G C O. Consequence of the booming economy. Very understandable business decision. — Facebook posting Toast Bar, which launched in 2016, cited the labor shortage as a factor in closing.

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