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P R O F I L E 2003
Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, March 8, 2003
Construction
Gamache
&
By LINDA GALWAY Special Sections Editor
Albert Lessard— founded Gamache & Lessard in 1945. “They were selling paint and began manufacturing Venetian blinds,” noted Jeannine. “Their business was very successful with a repuWhen oppportunity knocks, it’s probably best tation for quality.” to answer. That’s what Since purchasing Jeannine and Ron Gamache & Lessard in Peyser of Auburn have 1983 from the only other discovered. owner, the Peysers As the owners of have added flooring the long-established and greatly expanded “Gamache & Lesthe window treatment sard” — one of central aspect, striving to Maine’s premiere winmaintain and exceed dow decorating and the same level of qualflooring centers— the ity service started by Peysers took advanthe original owners. tage of an opportunity The Peysers are not in the early 80s and the only relatives workhave never regretted Founders of Gamache & Lessard brothersing together. Their their decision. in-law Alfred Gamache and Albert Lessard daughter and son-in“Ron went to school law, Amy and Chris Bilodeau, have also joined at the New England School of Art in Boston,” the fold. explained Jeannine. “He has an artist’s eye.” Al“Everybody does everything,” noted Jeannine. though he had been working with Creighton Shoe “We all share the load.” in Auburn, his background was in commercial In addition to helping people decide what they art and decorating. The shoe industry didn’t offer want to do with their decorating schemes, “Amy much in that direction, so when the couple had and I do the sewing, Ron estimates and installs, an opportunity to purchase Gamache & Lessard Chris and Amy manufacture the cellular shades, from then owner Robert Cloutier, the Peysers and Paul Chabot manfuactures pulls shades and agreed it was a perfect match. helps Chris and Ron with installations,” she add“I was a stay-at-home mom, but always was ed. Sub-contractors handle floor and wallpaper artistically inclined and handy with a sewing mainstallations, she added. chine,” she added. “Once we owned the business, As in the beginning, shades and blinds have I started coming to work and have been here ever been a mainstay of the business. At first, those since,” learning on the job and attending workearly Venetian blinds provided privacy or light, shops sponsored by the vendors with whom they but not both; today’s blinds and shades are more do business. versatile, allowing light to diffuse into a room, “We’ve more than quadrupled the bottom line providing privacy and often saving a homeowner since we started,” Ron added of the 58-year-old 10-25% on home energy bills — money otherwise company now located at 995 Center Street in Auwasted by drafty windows. burn. “The longevity of the business speaks for “The cellular shades are very insulating,” itself.” noted Ron, “as much as window quilts,” which Two brothers-in-law — Alfred Gamache and are also available at Gamache & Lessard. “These
Lessard
new cellular materials are rated by the governstyle of the house and their own tastes dictating ment for energy efficiency,” he added, noting that what they select.” Gamache & Lessard is a certified fabricator for In addition to helping homeowners, GamComfortex Cellular Shades. ache & Lessard has a far-reaching reputation For those interested merely in an appropriate for commercial work. You can see it at the new window treatment, there are racks upon racks of courthouse on Lisbon Street in Lewiston or fabric swatches — solids, plaids, large and small at Central Maine Medical Center’s new heart prints, checks, stripes, ginghams and moires — to center. The Auburn Home for Aged Women, St. suit every decor imaginable. Dominic Regional High School, Bates College, “We try to have a great selection,” said JeanGoodall Hospital, Rumford Hospital, the Portland nine, noting traditional mini-blinds, cellular Public Market, Bowdoin College, Bridgton Hosshades and ‘sheer-weave’ fabric shades are bepital and Franklin Memorial Hospital, as well coming increasingly popular, “especially when as numerous offices and financial institutions people want to diffuse sunlight into a room but across the state and beyond, have all benefited not totally block off all light.” The sheer-weave from their expertise. With the addition of a web shades come in varying degrees of intensity — the page and Internet sales, Gamache & Lessard tighter the weave, the less light comes through. products are available on the world wide web at Cleaning blinds isn’t such a terrible chore eiwww.windowdecorators.com ther. “Many now come with dust-guard finishes,” From top to bottom, Gamache & Lessard can Jeannine said. Otherwise, simply attach the soft outfit an entire room, including decorative and vacuum brush and use that to clean first one side, standard window hardware, homemade craft acand then the other. cessories by Amy and Jeannine, wall coverings Whether you and a variety of floorchoose blinds, ing options ranging shades, draperies or from ceramic tile to a combination, “evlaminates, vinyl and erything is really up carpeting. Repeat to the person’s taste,’ business is a given. said Jeannine, “but “The customers we have seen a trend keep coming back toward brighter because we provide colors. People are bedependable services coming a little more they can rely on,” exdaring with fabrics. plained Jeannine. “We They’re also lookback up our products ing for easier care, a and have good ideas.” functional treatment “It’s not always the — perhaps just a least expensive price valance with fabric that sells a job,” added panels. Others opt Ron. “People want for a more complete quality, service and and dramatic drapsomeone to depend Paul Chabot, Ron and Jeannine Peyser, ery treatment,” she on.” Amy and Chris Bilodeau. continued, “with the
Custom Laminates
Their work speaks for itself By BARBARA LIVINGSTON Freelance Writer
A
little more than a year has passed since Rick and Cheryl Breton moved their business, Custom Laminates to 995 Center Street in Auburn. And what a
year it has been! “Our business has probably increased by 30 percent since we’ve been in this location,” said Jerimiah Morrisette, one of Custom Laminates’ designers. “This location is so perfect for drive-by and walk-in traffic. Many people never even knew where we were in Lewiston.” But there’s much more to the enormous growth and continued success of Custom Laminates than just a great location. The word has gotten around that when someone wants a unique custom kitchen or bath that is of the highest quality and at a fair price, Custom Laminates is where they will find it. When Elaine and Gary Hemenway of Lewiston built their new home, they wanted their kitchen and master bath to replicate not only the superior quality of the rest of their home, but also to reflect their own creative ideas and needs. “I went to three different vendors,” said Elaine, “and by the time I got to Custom Laminates I was so confused. I walked in carrying armloads of books and magazines to try to get across what I had in my mind. Bruce
Landry (another one of Custom Laminates’ designers) was so patient with me. He worked and worked with me on my ideas and he also had some wonderful suggestions of his own. Together we worked out a kitchen and master bath that is exactly what Gary and I wanted and that complements our entire home.” Elaine is proud of her home and with the superb quality of the craftsmanship of Custom Laminate’s work. “And to top it off, their service is remarkable. There was a slight problem with one cabinet door and they had it replaced in less than a week. We are happy to recommend Custom Laminates to everyone,” smiles Elaine. Even though the quality and individualized service are well above average, their prices are not. “We go the extra mile for our customers,” says Cheryl, “but we always remain competitive price-wise. We invite people to shop around and compare and we’re confident they will decide to work with us.” Custom Laminates Kitchen & Bath Center carries products from such top-rated manufacturers as Schrock, Candelight, Prestige and Merillat. And if a customer can’t find what they’re looking for from these lines, nearly anything can be fabricated in the Lewiston shop, still located on Whipple Street, where they construct
custom cabinetry, moldings, mantels and counter tops. The old showroom there is now used for seconds, damaged and discontinued styles that are sold at discount prices. Be sure to make Custom Laminates Kitchen & Bath Center the place to see for your customized kitchen and bath needs. Visit them at 995 Center Street in Auburn or call 782-5791 for an appointment.
995 Center St., Auburn 782-5791 Reg. Hours:
Monday-Friday 7:30 to 5; Saturday 9 to 2, Evenings by Appointment
Kitchen and Bath Center
www.customlaminates.com Our Large Showroom Features The Best Brand Names In The Business!
WE OFFER • Kitchen Cabinets • Custom Woodworking • Solid Surface Countertops • Laminate Materials • Cabinet Refacing • Flooring • Authorized Corian® Fabricator & Installer • Certified 20/20 Computer Designer
Years of Over 20 In Kitchen ce Experiengn and Building si Bath De Materials
Kitchens & Corian ® You Can Afford!!