Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1381718
V O L . X X V I I N O. X I I J U N E 1 4 , 2 0 2 1 18 L E W I S T O N / A U B U R N / W E S T E R N M A I N E 5. 103–109 Congress St. At 109 Congress, the historic Clough & Pillsbury building was bought from the town by David Arsenault, who owns J.D. Printing, in July for $12,770. The town had acquired it because of unpaid taxes, and the RFP Arseneault suc- cessfully won was the second Rumford had issued for it. In 2019, the one-time hardware store made Maine Preservation's Most Endangered list. Arsenault plans to keep the original sign on the façade, and the business will be called Clough & Pillsbury when it opens later this year. Next door, a small building at 105 Congress was taken down to the studs by owners of The Lure, a seafood restaurant at 971 Prospect Ave., who were looking for a downtown presence. At 103 Congress, Automatic 6 Acquisitions is reno- vating the three-story clapboard building, with plans for retail on the first floor and possible residential upstairs. 6. 72 Congress St. The former department store at 72 Congress St., with seven commercial units and at least three storefronts, is under contract, O'Keefe says. The 80,000-square-foot building that once housed a Woolworth's has been at least partially empty since 2008, but is considered a significant Art Deco addition to the town's downtown historic district. 7. 43 Exchange St. On the corner of Exchange and Canal streets, Western Maine Machines opened in November 2019. The company repairs sewing machines and vacuum clean- ers. They also takes in shoes to be sent to cobbler Paul Rowland, in Lisbon, and dry cleaning, which is serviced in Auburn. Owners Deb and Jim Morrison say their business provides services the town needed. "There are a lot more people sewing out there than you'd think," Deb Morrison says. She says they love Do you know a top woman executive who has demonstrated leadership, made a professional impact on her company or industry, has been a mentor to others, and has made a positive influence in the community? Nominate an outstanding and influential woman in business! Nominate her by June 28! S U BMIT YOU R NOMINATION AT MAINEBIZ .BIZ/NOMINATIONS S PONS OR ED BY FOLLOW US @MBEVENTS #MBWTW21 » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E Rumford has a really great dynamic between elected officials, staff and the community. They're all pulling in one direction. — Kara Wilbur Developer of 60 Lowell St., Rumford P H O T O / M A U R E E N M I L L I K E N F O C U S 5 7 6 5