Bangor’s Booming Downtown

BY KATE BIELINSKI

If you’ve strolled downtown this year, you may have noticed a few new additions. From fitness studios to several retail shops to a community grocery store, Bangor’s downtown saw the opening of almost 20 businesses in 2022, including service-based and commercial companies moving into office spaces.

An Ecosystem for Growth

While the pandemic impacted many small businesses in communities like Bangor with many people turning to online retailers and delivery services, studies show that this year, 94% of consumers have returned to shopping at physical stores. Though this proves to be a positive outlook for downtown and certainly a driver for the recent business growth, there’s more to the story.

Executive Director at Downtown Bangor Partnership Betsey Lundy also credits the redevelopment of vacant spaces and unused, outdated offices into residential space. In the past, without many people living downtown, businesses had to draw customers from other areas of town, which proved to be challenging in some instances.

“Now, suddenly you have bodies downtown all the time and it’s become a desirable place to open a business. Be it a restaurant, retail, or wellness business, you essentially have a built-in customer base.”

In many ways, for a downtown community to thrive, it needs to be a well-balanced ecosystem; an ideal mix of residents, businesses, and commercial spaces. Tim McClary, Associate Broker for Realty of Maine and a downtown property owner and manager, believes that this can be seen not only in how the residential growth has helped support local businesses, but how more business options have made downtown attractive to residents.

“They love the fact that they can walk down the street and have restaurant options for a nice dinner, can grab milk or other staples at the local store, or take a yoga class,” McClary says. “Downtown Bangor now has a lot of the amenities that you’d see in Boston or New York City but within five or so minutes of their front doors.”

A Supportive Business Community

Whether you’ve dreamed of starting a business of your own or are just curious about what it takes, there is no shortage of resources, helping hands, and supporters willing to share their experiences and advice within the Bangor community.

At Downtown Bangor Partnership, Lundy welcomes a call from anyone wanting to explore the idea of starting a business downtown. As a two-time small business owner herself, she is a wealth of knowledge and super connector, directing prospective entrepreneurs to the best resources to advance them on their journey.

“The number one place to start is the Maine Small Business Development Center,” recommends Lundy. Maine SBDC provides comprehensive business management assistance, training, and information to the small business community and can help with everything from business plans to financing options.

Cara Oleksyk, the creative mind behind Red Rabbit Bazaar, a newly opened vintage and modern apparel shop at 9 Central St., says talking with other business owners, including her mentor and former owner of Metropolitan Soul, Tracy Monahan, and working with The Coastal Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute were key elements in helping her bring the idea of Red Rabbit Bazaar to life.

“Having mentors sharing their experiences and processes made me feel very well supported. I had people to brainstorm with about what the store layout could look like and ask questions about profit and loss statements,” says Oleksyk. “There are so many resources and people willing to help. You just need to find them and don’t be afraid to ask.”

When it comes to starting a business, another important thing to consider is how it’ll fit into the market and what the business plan will look like.

Before James Gallagher opened The Salty Brick Market, a grocery market that opened in July at 35 Main St., he took the current mix of downtown into consideration. With the boom in residential spaces and people returning to offices, Gallagher saw an opportunity to fill more than one need.

“Our grocery market is a great place for the residents downtown who, when they wake up in the morning, realize they’ve run out of eggs or half-and-half for their coffee and don’t want to have to hop in the car to drive to the store,” Gallagher explains. “But we also see a lot of business people during lunch because we have a salad bar with 30 fresh options as well as hot and cold sandwiches.”

Oleksyk also believes in having a diversified business plan. Red Rabbit Bazaar started online before opening downtown on Nov. 26, Small Business Saturday. The shop’s online presence allows Oleksyk to reach vintage fashion lovers all across the country, but she values the connection and community feel her physical store offers.

“This is a place where people can come and take their time. Feel the fabric. Try things on. Bring a friend or family member and enjoy the experience,” says Okelsyk. “In January, we will be adding basic sewing repair and darning classes, and in the coming year we hope to host some events.”

When it comes to deciding if your business would be a good fit for downtown Bangor, Gallagher suggests doing research and finding the missing puzzle piece. “Don’t try to do something better that’s already there. Downtown definitely has a following and a rhythm, so instead, find what is missing and fill the gap.”

Shopping Local Supports The Whole Community

With all the growth downtown Bangor has seen, much of its future depends on the support of the local community.

“When people shop local, 75 cents of every dollar stays in their community, versus only about 10 percent when you shop online or at national retailers or big box stores,” explains Lundy.

And it isn’t just the businesses themselves that benefit, it is the region as a whole.

“Having local businesses downtown gives people a reason to come downtown,” says Gallagher, “and as a result, we also see other development in the area like the concerts growing and more cruise ships coming to the Bangor port.”

Today, shopping locally is easier than ever. Many downtown businesses now offer online ordering with curbside pick-up or delivery, and Lundy says that even those that may not advertise it are usually willing to accommodate if you give them a call.