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V O L . X X V I I N O. X I I I J U N E 2 8 , 2 0 2 1 22 FA M I LY - OW N E D B U S I N E S S F O C U S Larson and his wife June bought the shopping center, excluding the Hannaford space, in 2003. Right away, they identified a strategy that ran counter to malls that load up on chain stores that, the conventional thinking goes, can justify higher rents. "We decided we wanted to provide a home for local businesses," he says, pausing. "at may seem stupid, busi- ness-wise. We may be short-changing ourselves." at hasn't made them change their minds, though, and the strat- egy, has resulted in a unique group- ing of businesses that carries its own Maine brand. Sherman's, which plans to open by the end of the sum- mer, will join a who's who of Maine family-owned businesses that includes Day's Jewelers, shoe retailer Lamey Wellehan and Renys. Larson, June and their son, Jeffrey, now own the middle 65,000 square feet as well as pad space. Business partners Kevin and Paul Kelly in 2018 bought the "Renys end," which also includes Lamey Wellehan, the 6,000-square-foot Sherman's space and Smitty's Cinema. ยป C O N T I N U E D F RO M PA G E 2 0 Kennebec Savings Bank was established in 1870 to help every member of our community save, thrive and grow. Serving the Maine banking community for over 150 years. Visit www.KennebecSavings.Bank to view a complete list of our residential and commercial products. P H O T O / M A U R E E N M I L L I K E N In what may be a sign of the times, the former Ruby Tuesday space at the Topsham Fair Mall will be filled by the cannabis retailer Highbrow, which is moving within the mall and needs extra space for its edible offerings.