HODGDON, Maine — A Houlton entrepreneur who noticed COVID-19 deliver a few crippling finish to his bowling alley trade discovered new alternatives rise up with a basic shop — together with the one gasoline station in a 40-mile stretch of highway.
Geno and Laura Seiders bought Hill-Best Lanes, southern Aroostook County’s best candlepin bowling alley, in December 2018. And for a year-and-a-half, trade used to be just right.
Trade used to be so just right, if truth be told, that the couple had been ready to open a redemption middle, and later a comfort shop on the 53 Calais Highway assets, adjoining to the bowling alley. But if COVID-19 hit, the couple used to be compelled to near the bowling alley, and feature been not able to justify reopening the leisure middle.
The Seiderses’ trade versatility is an instance of the way other folks in rural spaces frequently have to evolve briefly to adjustments affecting their monetary balance.
“COVID hit us truly exhausting,” Geno mentioned. “Fortunately we had began the redemption middle and that used to be doing truly neatly. That enabled us to do the shop. We at the moment are so busy with this that the bowling alley is at the again burner.”
Together with his focal point only focused across the shop, Seiders mentioned he has trustworthy his consideration to bringing in new concepts. The Houlton entrepreneur a great deal expanded his trade this previous summer season by way of including 2,500 sq. ft to his shop, with a focal point on out of doors items, firearms and ammunition.
“A tender guy got here to me and mentioned we must do a little bait, and the speculation simply roughly grew from there,” he mentioned. “There used to be a large call for for that, and it has simply grown from there. We made up our minds to herald a line of weapons and ammunition for all the hunters.”
Seiders additionally added a line of outside attire, together with hats, gloves, shirts and extra, lots of which function a custom-created brand for his trade. His spouse additionally added a package deal of presents and decorations for the house, together with a line of Primitive merchandise. An extra 1,100-square-foot growth is within the works for subsequent 12 months.
This autumn, he added a gas pump to the trade, changing into the one gasoline station alongside U.S. Path 1 for more or less 40 miles. The following closest prevent for gasoline can also be discovered on the Mill Backyard in Danforth for the ones heading south. It is usually very easily positioned at the ITS 105 snowmobile path.
“We’re the primary into the town or the final one if you’re heading out,” Seiders mentioned. “Now we’re truly at the map. I’m hoping the addition of the gasoline will usher in much more sledders. We truly are looking to be one thing for everybody. It’s been just a little of a trial, however we’re having amusing with it.”
Seiders Selection and Wearing Items is open 8 a.m. to eight p.m. Mondays thru Saturdays, and eight a.m. to two p.m. Sundays. Fuel is best to be had all the way through common trade hours.
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