Signs of spring: Ice cream openings, Auburn’s 2021 Maine Home Show

Russ Angell hands Chriss Hayden her change Wednesday after buying an ice cream cone at Main Street Dairy Treat in Lewiston. Angell said his wife, Barbara, worked at the shop when they were students at Leavitt Area High School in Turner. “I remember coming down here to flirt with her,” the business owner said. “Now I give my employees hell for that.” Daryn Slover/Sun Journal Buy this Photo

This week the Buzz is checking out flooring, taking a leap and digging into a tall soft serve.

First up: A no-update update.

Ready?

Target is still coming to Auburn.

All has been pretty quiet since the retail giant confirmed in early December that it’s moving into the former Kmart on Center Street.

A spokeswoman said last week that plans are still afoot but could not yet offer tentative opening information.

Eric Cousens, Auburn’s director of planning and permitting, said Kmart’s lease on the building doesn’t expire until late June or early July.

“We expect work to start then unless an agreement is reached to start sooner,” he said. “Fingers crossed, they will be open before Christmas.”

ALSO HEADED TO AUBURN

The 2021 Maine Home Show will be held April 10 and 11 at the Norway Savings Bank Arena from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

Organizer Travis Dow, who anticipates 60 to 70 participating companies, said he’ll follow pandemic guidelines: At 50% capacity, the space can fit 700 people inside. Walking traffic will flow in one direction. Booths will be staggered. Aisles will be widened from six feet to eight feet to space people out.

“The home improvement and real estate industries have seen huge growth this year,” Dow said. “With stimulus checks arriving, and tax refunds in some instances, I expect those to be contributing factors that will add to demand for home-related products and service providers,” as well as drive interest in the event.

Tickets are $7 for adults and he’s encouraging attendees to purchase them in advance online.

The annual home show was postponed last year due to the pandemic.

“The Androscoggin Bank Colisee is staying on ice for hockey through May this year and said they wouldn’t be able to host our show,” Dow said. “This will hopefully be our first of many home shows at the NSB Arena in Auburn.”

MAKE THAT CHOCOLATE, VANILLA, OR TWIST?

Molly Jolicoeur of New York picks up her treat Wednesday from the window at Main Street Dairy Treat in Lewiston. Jolicoeur said she has been coming to Dairy Treat since she was a baby, during visits to see her “Nana,” Virginia Ouellette, of Lewiston. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal Buy this Photo

It’s time to welcome back a few sure signs of spring.

Val’s Drive-In on Sabattus Street in Lewiston is set to open Thursday for the season, as is Dairy Joy in Lewiston and Auburn. Gifford’s Ice Cream stand is opening Friday in Auburn. Its annual free cone promotion is postponed due to COVID-19.

Main Street Dairy Treat in Lewiston opened March 11.

Early birds Fielder’s Choice Ice Cream had all six locations around the area open seven days a week as of late February.

‘IN JUST ONE WEEK…’

Nicole Clavet of Lewiston stands in the fall of 2020 in front of her new Cruzin Slice food trailer with boyfriend Jared Webster. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal file photo Buy this Photo

Finally, a little mid-March inspiration.

Nicole Clavet of Lewiston opened Cruzin Slice food trailer, the “Home of Creton Pizza,” last fall after a year of planning and prep with boyfriend Jared Webster and the feedback was swift.

“People loved our theme and our unique menu,” Clavet said Wednesday. “Despite starting the business at the end of the season, we had a rough gauge on how sales would be in 2021. We knew it was going to be a success, not only because we had something unique to offer — creton pizza! — (but) we saw a pattern of customers ordering pizzas and then coming back to order more to go.”

A week ago, she retired from TD Bank after 23 years to devote herself to Cruzin Slice full-time.

It’s already paid off.

“We’ve been working nonstop answering business calls and emails, obtaining permits and ordering product,” Clavet said. “In just one week’s time, we’re almost fully booked for the season.”

Most bookings are local. Creton pizza has been the hands-down bestseller, she said. This year, they’re adding homemade creton to-go in 8 ounce containers and soup in cooler weather.

The goal is to work hard all year then take the winter off to spend time with family.

“The banking industry continues to change constantly and with those changes I felt it was time for me to move on,” Clavet said. “It’s what was best for me, and ultimately, I just wanted to be happy. Being self-employed allows me to manage and control my own schedule. Even for this short period of time, self-employment has been taxing but extremely rewarding.”

Quick hits about business comings, goings and happenings. Have a Buzzable tip? Contact staff writer Kathryn Skelton at 689-2844 or kskelton@sunjournal.com.