BRUNSWICK

If it looks like Maine Street is getting busier, you’re right. According to the Brunswick Downtown Association, all the storefronts along one of Brunswick’s major corridors are open for business.

BDA Executive Director Deb King said that as you stroll along Maine Street, it’s hard not to notice the activity along the recently designated National Historic Commercial District.

“We have a wonderful variety of retail shops, restaurants, service providers, residential units, green spaces and beautiful historic buildings,” King said, expressing her gratitude to all the longtime businesses as well as the many new ventures that have made Maine Street home.

With wide sidewalks, King said the downtown is ideal for bench seating, outdoor dining and public art displays. She also noted significant improvements business owners have made to their exterior facades, showing “pride of place.”

King said efforts to keep outdoor spaces clean, decorating windows for the holidays and planting flowers add to the feel of the downtown.

“The Brunswick Downtown Association, Village Improvement Association, Brunswick Public Art and the town of Brunswick all work together to ensure our downtown is clean, safe, attractive and open for business,” King said.

With a mission of promoting the downtown as a vibrant place to live, work, play and do business, King said the BDA showcases the walkable downtown with Fort Andross and Bowdoin College serving as its anchors.

“Folks can purchase groceries, do their banking, access health care facilities, visit the library and pick up their mail, all within a couple of blocks. We’ve got it all,” King said.

Linda Smith, Brunswick’s business development manager, said while some people think of Brunswick as Cook’s Corner, the Androscoggin River, Mere Point, Bowdoin College or Brunswick Landing — Maine Street is the heart of the downtown.

“As one of the widest Main Streets in the state, it boasts a plethora of excellent restaurants, unusual shopping opportunities, and restful moments at the 250th Anniversary Park and the Mall,” Smith said.

‘A bustling corridor’

Smith referred to it as “a bustling corridor” celebrating green spaces, edible treats, coffee shops and a locally owned bookstore.

“Due to a great entrepreneurial spirit, an improving economic climate, and the community’s commitment to values like buying local, the Brunswick downtown is currently experiencing a near 100 percent occupancy rate for its commercial ground-floor stores and spaces,” Smith said.

Smith credits the BDA for its management and promotion of downtown businesses and residents.

“The BDA has orchestrated numerous events throughout the year to bring people to the downtown. (It) works closely with the town to make the downtown a welcoming environment and is constantly striving to find ways to help the downtown businesses thrive,” Smith said.

Smith said it’s the “right kind of problem” to have when prospective new businesses have to compete for space in a thriving downtown.

Business improving

Finestkind Electronics-Vinylhaven Records owner Dave Hunt as operated out of his Maine Street shop for over a decade, but he has been working in the downtown since 1978.

Hunt said that although things have improved, he misses old mainstays like Grand City and Black’s Hardware.

With vintage music playing in the background, Hunt produced an old ledger from 1976 that documented his rent payment of $72 and an average stereo repair job of $5.

“Needless to say, things have changed a little bit,” he said, with his ledger showing his total repairs for the month of February 1976 at $162.72.

dmcintire@timesrecord.com

BDA mission

• WITH A MISSION OF promoting the downtown as a vibrant place to live, work, play and do business, executive director Deb King said the Brunswick Downtown Association showcases the walkable downtown with Fort Andross and Bowdoin College serving as its anchors.