Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 21 J U N E 1 3 , 2 0 2 2 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 elaborate masonry wood-burning ovens and fire- places. Today, led by son Scott Barden (with mom Cheryl Kemper managing the business side), the company has shifted slightly to focus on the pizza ovens and custom metal work. It is based in a 12,000-square-foot industrial building, situated on four acres, which might allow for eventual expansion. Aside from Scott Barden and Kemper, there are just four employees. e company had sales last year of $1.2 million. On a recent rainy day, one of the pizza ovens was burning firewood, a black Lab was wandering the floor and a forklift was humming, moving materials. Barden said taking over the family-owned busi- ness was "messy" at times, but he's now focused on expansion. e company is growing its custom metal working services, and sports some beautiful examples with its exterior signs. He'd like to expand into more furniture, and has a full woodwork- ing shop ready to go. And there's talk of how they might expand the production area on the four acres the company owns. Back at Maine Grains, Lambke is also planning an expansion that, in its first phase, will include a building to house Maine Grains offices and dedi- cated space for the year-round farmers market. A second phase will include apartments. e portion of downtown that borders the Kennebec River is also poised for upgrades (see sidebar). Peter Van Allen, Mainebiz editor, can be reached at pvanallen @ mainebiz.biz and @ MainebizEditor Ready to pivot whenever your job does. Hammond Lumber Company has your back. We know that even the best planned projects can run into problems. We're problem-solvers. We've got what you need and we'll bring it to you, wherever you need it in the great state of Maine. Think of us as your partner, a member of your team. No matter what stage your project is in, we're here when you need us. Auburn • Bangor • Bar Harbor • Belfast • Belgrade • Blue Hill Boothbay Harbor • Brunswick • Bucksport Calais • Camden Cherryfield • Damariscotta • Ellsworth • Fairfield • Farmington Greenville • Machias • Portland • Rockland • Skowhegan HammondLumber.com Auburn • Bangor • Bar Harbor • Belfast • Belgrade Blue Hill • Boothbay Harbor • Brunswick • Bucksport Calais • Camden • Cherryfield • Damariscotta Ellsworth • Fairfield • Farmington • Greenville Machias • Portland • Rockland • Skowhegan HammondLumber.com Auburn • Bangor • Bar Harbor • Belfast • Belgrade • Blue Hill Boothbay Harbor • Brunswick • Bucksport Calais • Camden Cherryfield • Damariscotta • Ellsworth • Fairfield • Farmington Greenville • Machias • Portland • Rockland • Skowhegan HammondLumber.com Scott Barden,Vice President of Maine Wood Heat in Skowhegan hugs his mother Cheryl Kemper, one of the founders of the company. F O C U S P H O T O / F R E D F I E L D

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