TOPSHAM

T he Bowdoin Mill Island complex in Topsham has been seeing an increase in tenants and business for years now. Located just over the historic Frank J. Wood Bridge that brings traffic from Brunswick to Topsham, the complex is home to a number of thriving businesses, and has room to grow further.

The Red Mill building on the island has multiple first-floor units for rent and lease, and in a space that overlooks the Androscoggin River, they shouldn’t be empty for long.

“We are marketing the space right now,” said Rick Casada, vice president of Fore River Company, who manages the Red Mill. “We have some prospects looking at half of the first floor. There’s a very good mix of people and businesses in the building already.”

Since the talks are still ongoing, Casada couldn’t comment on the businesses who might move in.

Built in 2007, the Red Mill features high ceilings and state-of-the-art energy systems. Fashioned with traditional red brick — a hallmark of 19th century industrial days — the Red Mill blends in perfectly with the older buildings on the property, such as the Bowdoin Mill building next door, which was built in 1868 and is listed on the National Historic Register.

“Business is booming,” said Josh Larrabee, manager of Sea Dog Brewing Company, which has had a home inside the Bowdoin Mill since the late 1990s renovations of the building. “It’s a very popular spot, especially with the patio right on the water. People love coming here. We’ve been busier every year since we’ve been here.”

The same can be said for other businesses in the complex, Larrabee said.

“Blueberries (restaurant) has been doing really well too,” said Larrabee. “We walk down there and get breakfast all the time.”

“We enjoy taking our lunch out by the river,” said Lisa Avery, administrator at Maine Health Management Coalition. The MHMC office is on the second floor of the Red Mill. “This is a fabulous location. It amazes me that the (rooms downstairs) aren’t full.”

The influx of business in and out of the island could see some changes if the idea to replace the Frank J. Wood Bridge with a new bridge continues to take shape.

“They’re talking about building the new bridge around the old one to keep traffic flowing normally,” said Larrabee. “I’ve seen pictures of what they’re planning and it looks great.”

Larrabee said the old bridge holds a lot of nostalgia for the people who have grown up in the area and part of him will hate to see it go. However, he said, “the new bridge will update the area some, which would be nice. It’s got some history, but it wouldn’t be the worst thing to have a new one.”

The bridge could ultimately allow for smoother traffic flow from Brunswick to Topsham, which would trickle down to all of the businesses at Bowdoin Mill Island.

“Maine Street in Brunswick, especially restaurant-wise, is great,” said Larrabee. “We’re in really close proximity to that, and our business is only growing.”

Other businesses located at Bowdoin Mill Island include Re/Max, Bonney Staffing and Greater Brunswick Physical Therapy.

bgoodridge@timesrecord.com