Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1491489
V O L . X X I X N O. I I I C O M M E R C I A L D E V E L O P M E N T F E B R UA R Y 6 , 2 0 2 3 14 P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY Angie Lafrance, a Lewiston native and partner in Obscura Cafe & Drinkery, says she's seen a lot of commercial activity in the downtown lately. F O C U S I n June 2022, Lewiston natives Angie Lafrance and Corey DuFour joined with another Maine native, Nathan Hines to hire a chef, Jules Muzyka, and open Obscura Cafe & Drinkery in Lewiston, expand- ing four months later to open a speakeasy-style event space on the lower level. Lafrance and DuFour were long enchanted by the Art Deco building at 110 Lisbon St. in the city's downtown district. e partners styled it for Obscura as "a step back in time" – 1920s cinematic posters, large projector screen showing silent films, antique furniture — bringing together artists and entertainers of all types and drawing a diverse mix of customers including long-time residents and folks who drive in from surrounding areas. e projects have given them a view of an evolv- ing downtown. "Just in this last year, I feel like I've seen more happening down here, finally, than in a long time," Lafrance says of the downtown district. Lewiston is experiencing a run of commercial development from the downtown to its outskirts – new retail and industrial activity, renovations and repurpos- ing of historic buildings, new attractions pulling in local residents and visitors alike, new and expanding manufacturers of everything from hand-stitched hats to mushroom substrates. "You have entrepreneurs who have started their own businesses, you have building owners who have renovate their buildings and you have businesss that are expanding," says Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline, a local business owner himself of MUNKA Coworking and MUNKA Studio, both on Lisbon Street. Just in this last year, I feel like I've seen more happening down here, finally, than in a long time. — Angie Lafrance Obscura Cafè & Drinkery Maine's second- largest city draws developers and entrepreneurs seeking space, affordability — and opportunity B y L a u r i e S c h r e i b e r