ANDOVER - Kevin Scott and Susan Merrow have a vision for Andover.

They want to restore the village and bring business to the area, and they believe they, and many others, have just the right entrepreneurial spirit to do it.

"We chose Andover because we truly appreciate the heritage and community, and the natural beauty that surrounds the town," said Merrow, a Virginia native who has lived in southern Maine with her husband for many years.

Scott is coming home.

He graduated from Mexico High School before attending George Mason University near Washington, D.C., then setting up his own business, Recruiting Resources International, a consulting firm for staffing and recruitment of engineers for the aerospace, semi-conductor and other such industries.

They could have set up their business anywhere in the state, but they chose this scenic small town with historic charm.

In 2004, they decided to stop making the frequent weekend trips to Western Maine and moved to Andover full-time. They began restoring what was once the town's post office. Now it's an antique shop where townspeople can visit, sit down, and kick back.

"We believe in community and improving the quality of life for people," said Scott, 40.

But that was just the beginning.

Within the past few weeks, they bought two other 19th century buildings that once housed the Ike E. Mills Store, Andover Telephone Office, Addie's Restaurant and other businesses.

Michele Gagnon moved her hardware store, Andover Feed and Supply, into one of the recent acquisitions by Scott and Merrow.

The couple now has plans for the second building - an "officeminium," "studiominium," or a combination of both, that the couple hope will fuel and house some of Maine's creative economy.

These are small office or studio spaces with low rent to give entrepreneurs a chance to get themselves established.

The buildings will be restored to their 19th century beauty, then office or studio spaces will be rented out for about $150 a month,

"We're not in this to be landlords, but to help other businesses," said Merrow, who uses many of her talents and fine arts degree with the consulting business and in design. She is also head of the town's Transfer Station Committee that has recently launched one of the few single-source recycling projects in the state.

"If you don't go out and make it happen yourself, it's not going to happen. We want to provide the opportunity," she said.

Scott said their work is "green," with restoration emphasizing energy conservation. They even attended classes at the Shelter Institute in Wiscasset to learn how to more efficiently restore the buildings.

Richard Merrill, an Andover native and member of the town's Budget Committee, is one of the couple's avid supporters.

"It's good to get some young people involved," he said Friday night. "It's a good idea, anything that brings business back to Andover."

Merrow and Scott hope to have five office/studio spaces ready for occupancy within the next few months. Along with the spaces will come a common conference room and kitchen/bath area.

"This is economic development by private individuals," said Scott. "We have the means and energy to do this. We have the desire to create something."

"This is a beautiful, beautiful village. If someone doesn't stand up, then it won't be preserved," Merrow said.

For additional information, contact Merrow or Scott at 392-2900.