The town of Bridgton, often seen as a destination for summer tourists and winter skiers is developing into what may become the hub of northern Cumberland County.

In the span of less than a month, Bridgton is seeing the opening of the Magic Lantern Theater and the new or larger locations for Renys and Paris Farmers Union, both of which are doubling in size. Locals say they like the idea of growth in Bridgton and say its building on the success Hannaford Supermarket and Hancock Lumber have brought to the town.

“As long as they don’t take the charm away from it,” said Ken Barthelette of Bridgton. He agrees that Bridgton is experiencing economic growth and said he likes the town’s old buildings, the collection of different businesses in one place and the absence of fast food outlets.

“We’re just happy to see the town growing if it means more jobs in the area,” said Jeff Fleischer of Bridgton, who commutes to Boston five times a week where he works as a regional manager at a mattress company.

“There’s just no good jobs here,” he said, though he and his wife Barbara said they have seen a lot of changes since the Hannaford Supermarket came to town.

“From 15 years ago to now, it’s a big difference,” Fleischer said.

The right kind of growth

“Bridgton is definitely on the rise,” said Micah Niemy, Bridgton’s economic and community development director.

“We’re adding all these little pieces that people need,” said Niemy. “Without having to jump on Route 302 and head to Windham or Portland, or even Conway, N.H.”

“I think things are growing in this area,” said Kitty Walsh, assistant manager at the Paris Farmer’s Union retail store in Bridgton. The store, which has a product line that ranges from pet food to chain saw blades, moved in to its new location on Route 302 on Jan. 21.

“We needed more space, we outgrew the old building some time ago,” said Walsh. She said business is booming and the local population breeds loyal customers.

“There’s been a lot of growth in that particular area,” said Melissa Palmer of the marketing department for Renys, a Maine department store chain.

“It’s a great community. It’s beautiful, there’s a lot to do there,” said Palmer. She said the Bridgton Renys had a lot of demand from both locals and tourists and outgrew its space.

“We’re actually doubling the size of the store,” she said. The new location is already open for customers, although the interior is still being constructed. A grand opening is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 18 with fanfare and prizes.

Niemy said Bridgton is a rarity in that it has maintained its traditional New England downtown, where dentists, merchants and diners are located next to one another with no gaps between their stores.

“This isn’t unique, but it’s unique that it’s working,” said Niemy. He said the feel of downtown Bridgton is the result of the conscious effort of many people over the years.

“We want growth that adds to the character of our town, said Niemy. “Wild, crazy, unsustainable growth is not good for Bridgton.”

“Bridgton is trying to keep its character and not grow too much,” said Tom Watkins, manager at the Magic Lantern. The new theater is being built partially over the footprint of the old one that started to sink into the ground and was razed two years ago.

Watkins said the reopening of the theater was triggered by the growth in the Bridgton economy, and he said it will bring more business to the Bridgton area after the Feb. 8 opening.

“Part of it was faith in Bridgton from Frank and Karen Howell,” said Watkins, speaking of the owners of the Magic Lantern.

“One business will come in, and then another and another. They feed off each other,” said Jim Hill, another manager at the Magic Lantern, of the domino effect of economic development.

Watkins said there were numerous store closings in Bridgton during the two years the Magic Lantern was closed and said he believes it was a direct result.

“The goal has always been to make Bridgton a year-round town,” said Niemy. He said his office doesn’t help help upcoming businesses financially, but will help them navigate through red tape for things like the Pine Tree Zone Program which gives tax breaks to Maine businesses that meet certain criteria.

Niemy said the town is waiting for state approval to declare the zone between the new locations of Renys and Paris Farmers Union as a tax increment finance district. He said he expects the state to make that decision in March.

Once a tax increment finance district is established, the value of the property in the district is recorded and if that value increases, the taxes generated by the increased value will go into a special fund.

Money from that special fund will be used for the public infrastructure in that district. Niemy said typical spending is on things like sidewalks and streetlights.

Town Manager Mitchell Berkowitz said there is no way to predict how much money the fund will raise because it depends on the growth of the area.

I wish I had the crystal ball for that,” said Berkowitz. He said he expects it to be a few million dollars.

Not everyone agreed with the assessment that Brdigton is a town on the rebound.

Bob and Joan Semple of Naples, however, said they don’t think Bridgton has grown enough.

“When you decide to go out to eat, there really isn’t much choice,” said Joan Semple, 68.

“I’d like to see a fast food restaurant, something like that,” said her husband Bob Semple, 71. He said the old buildings make the downtown area look financially depressed.

“I don’t think the economy is doing well at all,” said John P. Smith of Sweden. He said he doesn’t think Bridgton is growing because of high energy costs on the national level.

BridgtonDowntown1-4: Downtown Bridgton bustles with restaurants, doctor’s offices and merchants. Micah Niemy, Bridgton’s economic and community development director, said the local economy is on the rise, yet still maintains the traditional New England feel.