| A Microbrewery and
a Frame Maker Are Waterville Innovators —Ramona du
Houx
 Small businesses in Maine that grow and
survive economic fluctuations change with the times to accommodate what the market needs.
They have to be flexible and listen to the community. Those who become foundations of
their communities often volunteer their services and sometimes funds to the community.
In Waterville
there are businesses that are progressing with the times, reinventing their establishments
along the way to suit the ever-changing needs of the community. Located downtown in the
basement of the old post office is a restaurant microbrewery that changed ownership four
years ago. Since then, the historic building has been renovated according to state codes
while keeping the charm of the original building. Outside you are greeted by a community
garden entrance where you can simply sit and watch passers-by. Inside the restaurant,
there is a friendly atmosphere as employees all greet you with welcoming smiles. Enticing
smells waft from the kitchen while the chef prepares specials that accommodate
diners’ personal tastes. Mainely Brews Restaurant and Brew House prides itself on
providing good service and excellent food at reasonable prices. They are true to their
words. Grilled tuna over a salad of fresh greens is delicious.
"Since my
father took me to a microbrewery, I’ve always wanted to own one," said co-owner
Luke Duplessis. "The business has changed significantly these last four years. We
redid the entire kitchen area, expanded the bar, have performances nightly, work with the
community when they have Maine Street events. Now we do have a regular clientele and hope
more will come and see what’s new. We try to accommodate everyone’s needs."
If you are
diabetic or a vegan, the chef will make you something special, and there is a vegetarian
menu as well as a special children’s menu. The unique blend that Duplessis has
achieved makes Mainely Brews Restaurant and Brew House a family restaurant as well as a
place singles mingle to have a good time listening to music late into the night.
"We cater
events and have the client come in and see the space in ‘the vault’ section of
the restaurant, so there are no surprises. They also have an opportunity to taste the food
we will be serving." The vault is a room to the side that can be opened up or closed
off from the rest of the establishment. It actually has an historic bank vault door.
Wooden tables within communicate an old-world atmosphere.
Duplessis goes
out of his way to give patrons the best service possible, and it’s easy to see he
loves what he’s doing. He’s a natural-born entertainer with a degree from the
University of Maine. This Old Town native exemplifies the hospitality that people from
around the world come to Maine to experience. Duplessis has traveled to most of the 50
states and Europe and never tires of meeting people. He simple has a zest for living and
transmits that to everyone he serves. During open mic, he comes into his own as a
performer who also encourages local talent. On trivia night, locals gather to see who
knows what and most of all to enjoy a friendly night out on the town.
Since the pub
changed ownership, getting the news out about the changes that have created a quality
restaurant/microbrewery has taken some time, but now the news has spread, and it’s
beginning to pay off. This fall Mainely Brews Restaurant and Brew House will be brewing
their six different beers on a small commercial basis with a brewery in Orono. The names
of the beers reflect the town of Waterville — the Two Cents Bridge Ale, for instance.
Having a real brewery downtown, where visitors will be able to see the process of making
ale, is a first for Waterville.
"I’m
really excited about starting up the brewery side of the business," said Duplessis.
"It is a long-time dream of mine."
Duplessis is
involved with his community, helping out with Maine Street downtown projects, and is a
member of the RealizeME branch, KV Connect in Waterville. KV Connect is a group of young
entrepreneurs helping to revitalize their community with new programs while networking
with other young professionals, ages 20 to 40. The Department of Economic and Community
Development recently gave the group $10,000 to continue and expand their activities.
"Young
entrepreneurs can bring new insights and energy into an area, and we want to make positive
change working with the community," said Duplessis. "We’re doing more to
get people engaged downtown. Waterville really is a special community."
From a pub to a
restaurant with a brewery, Mainely Brews Restaurant and Brew House is continuing to evolve
and serve the community in its special way.
At the other
end of town there is a framing business that recently became Waterville’s Downtown
Business of the Year for 2007.
Bill Taylor is
not new to the framing business; in fact he’s been involved in it since 1971 when he
began working at Berry’s Stationers. After 28 years — the last 15 years as
general manager of the store — Taylor bought The Framemakers in 2003.
Over the years
the business has evolved into a personalized framing shop and gallery. While other framers
have closed their doors due to big box stores and chains, Taylor continues to be
successful. Again, it’s largely due to the quality customer service. The extra care
Taylor takes in framing mementos creates prized items for many people.
"It’s
an art," said Matt Russ, an employee at Framemakers. "Matching up someone’s
art with the right mat and handling the work takes a lot of patience, practice, and
listening exactly to what the customer wants."
All the
personnel at Framemakers go the extra mile to deliver quality customer service.
"We want
to show that Maine is truly the way life should be. That’s what makes the
difference," said Taylor. "People are bringing us a piece of their world to work
with and make it safe to display. It’s important to me that I show them the same care
I would if the piece was something of my own I needed to frame. Most of my customers live
in the area; we are part of the same community."
Taylor has
worked with the community for many years. He is secretary of the Waterville Main Street
board of directors and is on the board of directors of the Waterville Historical Society,
the Waterville Public Library Capital Campaign Awareness Committee, and the Waterville
Arts Council.
"I’m
a strong supporter of the arts downtown; I think what Eric Thomas [co-owner of Digital
Images] and Shannon Haines [of Waterville Main Street] are doing to help
promote the arts will help put Waterville on the map — and we will be known as the
arts destination."
Every month
Framemakers highlights and displays the artwork of a local artist, turning part of the
store into a gallery. "I used to paint," admitted Taylor. "But I needed
something three dimensional to satisfy my artistic cravings. Now I have my cosmic
modulators to express myself."
Imagine a box
crafted from pieces of frames and special cloths. It appears ordinary from the outside and
looking into it from above, incredibly simple with a few items scattered here and there.
But, once you nestle your eyes level to the top of the box and peer into it at this new
angle, the world changes. Suddenly the simple objects you saw when looking down into the
box have been transformed into rows upon rows, trailing off into the distance in a tunnel
that seems never ending. And, as they say, the magic is all done with mirrors.
"Cosmic
modulators are basically box kaleidoscopes to provide visual entertainment. I came up with
the idea back in 1974 while picking up scraps of mirror," said Taylor. "I made
the first one in 2003 and sold my first one in November of the same year."
Congratulations
on the modulator invention have come from Congressman Michaud, Senator Snowe, and Governor
Baldacci. "He liked peering into the lobster modulator," said Taylor. Mass
marketing the modulator could very well mean big business success, but Taylor wants to
keep it personalized, handmade, and within an affordable price range for Maine customers.
"I get
people in here that tell me I could get a lot more for them,
but that’s not why I create them," said Taylor who has copyrighted his
creation.
 Taylor is happy to be able to have a
creative outlet that people appreciate. He customizes modulators, starting at $175, and
really likes the challenge of these made-to-order projects.
"One
person wanted a breaching whale; another had a daughter that was a star soccer
player," said Taylor. "I try and work with the clients to design a modulator
that suits their specific tastes. Anything someone can think of I’ll do."
Working with
his customers is indeed the hallmark of his store, and that extra-special touch has
brought him success and enabled him and his wife Cathy to purchase another store downtown.
Taylor was
on the Waterville Intown Arts Fest committee for over ten years and was the recipient of
the 2007 W. Cotter Waterville Regional Arts and Community Center Award for Community
Service.
"There are so many
creative people in Waterville. I think the time has come for more of them to be
recognized," said Taylor. "All this hasn’t happened overnight. We are
becoming the arts capital of Maine. Once the Hathaway Center gets underway, the
possibilities are endless. I’m excited about the future of Waterville."
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