PORTAGE LAKE — An Aroostook County native and former marine said her purchase of Portage Lakeside Cabins, not far from her childhood stomping grounds, fulfills her longtime dream for a business while allowing her to raise her children in a region she loves.
In a transaction finalized Sept. 13, Shannon Currier purchased the business for $250,000. It’s located at 4 Almond Drive with easy access from Route 11 and includes a single-family cottage, four small cabins, bathhouse and garage sitting on 2.7 acres with 420 feet of lake frontage. The seller was Laura Bouchard, according to the Caribou-based Northern Maine Development Commission’s business finance division, which helped Currier finance the purchase.
Currier credited Joshua Nadeau, director of NMDC’s small business development center, and the center’s loan officer David Spooner with providing helpful business counseling as she considered the acquisition.
MaineBiz: Buyer of Portage Lakeside Cabins converting seasonal business into four-season resort
Business Highlight: EterNav – Verona Island
Kasey Smith, founder of EterNav, wants to change the funeral and death care industry.
With a background in technology startups and personal experience dealing with loss, she saw an opportunity to help those experiencing one of life’s toughest challenges, navigating the unexpected loss of a loved one.
She has created 21st century technical tools and a step by step process that helps guide families through the practical tasks and action steps that follow the loss of a loved one. Her solution, called EterNav (short for eternal navigation), offers affordable, personalized and convenient bereavement solutions — working either with and without a funeral home.Read More
Business Highlight: Aroostook Driving School – Caribou
When Ryan Deprey and Todd Albert, well known teachers and coaches in the local school system, heard that one of the longstanding driving schools in Caribou was closing due to retirement, they saw an opportunity. The pair approached Josh Nadeau, Maine SBDC business advisor at Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC), to take advantage of that opportunity – to start a driving school business.Read More
Business Highlight: Autotronics – Frenchville & Bangor
Autotronics, a family-owned business that specializes in the building and restoration of emergency vehicles, has been in business since 1958 and serves customers within Maine, New England and even internationally. Business Owner Lita Daigle approached Maine SBDC Business Advisor Josh Nadeau looking for help in restructuring some current loans as well as obtaining funds to help build a new state of the art paint facility at their headquarters in Frenchville, Maine.
Business Highlight: Lost Valley – Auburn
Lost Valley, a small ski area located in Auburn, Maine, has been a staple of the area since 1961. The first ski area in Maine to make artificial snow, the business features 15 trails and a terrain park, offering something for skiers of all abilities. It also boasts one of the largest ski schools in Maine.
When the potential for purchasing the business arose, Scott Shanaman and his wife April jumped at the opportunity. Familiar with the ski industry (they also own and run a ski lift maintenance business) but seeking guidance on obtaining financing and executing the purchase, they reached out to Jane Mickeriz, Maine SBDC business advisor at the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments (AVCOG). Together they spent many hours working on a business plan, financial projections and loan packaging which Shanaman presented to several banks.
Client News: Vintage Maine Kitchen in Freeport cooks up old-fashion potato chips
Maine SBDC client in the news…
“Hang on, I’ve got to pull a rack of chips from the fryer,” says Kelly Brodeur — co-owner with her husband Scott of the startup Vintage Maine Kitchen — before settling into a recent phone interview.
Celebrating their first year in business on Aug. 1, it seems the Brodeurs are pulling countless racks as their small-batch, hand-made potato chips soar in popularity. From a first run of 12 cases produced from 100 pounds of potatoes for a local store, they are today producing chips for about 100 locations in Maine and beyond, and enjoy robust online sales.
They decline to cite revenue, but say their sales figures are twice the start-up loan amount they received from Coastal Enterprises Inc., the Brunswick-based nonprofit that assists with rural business development.”
The Milkhouse – Monmouth
Over a year and a half Roderick assisted the couple in making their dream of owning a farm a reality.
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Essential Learning Solutions – Livermore
Catherine Cote went to see Business Advisor Jane Mickeriz seeking licensing, location and financing assistance for a new business she wished to start.
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Maine & Loire – Portland
“You have been an integral part of this whole process – your sage advice has been indispensable. We can’t thank you enough!” Orenda and Peter Hale
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Maine Cloth Diaper Company & Central Street Farmhouse – Bangor
Betsy and Zeth Lundy originally contacted Center Director and Business Advisor Tom Gallant in 2010. The husband and wife team wanted to buy a building in historic downtown Bangor in which they could live on the top floor and open a business on each of the two bottom floors. Gallant has since spent over 50 hours working to help this couple’s businesses succeed.
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