NORWAY — An attempt to beef up downtown business through a “free rent” summer program may have failed, but Western Maine Economic Development Director Glen Holmes said Main Street is becoming a success story on its own.
“The Opera House opening has been a great thing,” Holmes said this week.
Since February, five completely refurbished storefronts have opened in the 1894 building on Main Street.
Earlier this year, a coalition of landlords, downtown revitalization activists and economic development organizations offered rent-free use of vacant stores to qualified applicants for July and August for the cost of utilities. The idea for Project Start-up was to add momentum to the movement to revitalize the downtown and draw new businesses to Main Street, Holmes said.
Although the Opera House Corp. was unable to offer space in that building, several other downtown landlords did provide space for the program. The problem, Holmes said, was they did not get the response they were hoping for.
“The Opera House needed revenue rapidly,” Holmes said. “Some fantastic businesses have gone in there.”
Holmes said he is convinced the quality businesses that are in the Opera House now will be there to stay — even when the tourists go home and winter settles in.
“They all seem to have strong business plans,” he said.
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