Berries, buildings, beauty shots — it’s a two-Buzz week.

First up: The city of Lewiston debuted a new two-minute commercial Thursday showcasing the city’s parks, people, restaurants, Bates College, murals, river, downtown and more.

Mayor Mark Cayer said it was the brainchild of Heather Hunter, the new interim city administrator, working with Warp + Weft, the marketing firm behind the new city logo. The release was timed to be in advance of next week’s State of Maine Bicentennial Parade through Lewiston-Auburn and Lewiston’s Bicentennial Streetfest following it.

A scene from the city of Lewiston’s new commercial by Warp + Weft. Video screenshot

“It’s really to highlight all the good things that have been going on in the city for the last several years,” Cayer said Thursday. “Typically, municipalities don’t get into advertising themselves, but we just felt so many good things have been going on that now was the time.”

The city spent $15,000 on the production and another $10,000 on media buys for television that include 86 television commercial spots, digital advertising of 85,000 digital impressions, and social advertising.

Molly McGill, associate creative director at Warp + Weft, said video was primarily shot by Red Stallion Media and the music produced by Steve Corning, an electronic musician who performs under the name ThinkFishTank.

Advertisement

“The original song was created using samples from Lewiston residents’ voices and the underlying beat was inspired by a song from a musical about the city of Lewiston performed in the ’90s, ‘Lewiston: A New Home,'” McGill said.

The full two-minute commercial will also be pared down to 15- and 30-second spots.

Cayer said he’s hoping visitors take note of all they can see and do here and that the commercial promotes “our area eateries, businesses and arts organizations so that they may thrive. It’s also a way for the city to reclaim its story about who and what Lewiston is, beyond stereotype, and build pride within our community. It’s an invitation for all to get to know the True Lew.”

The three buildings, starting at the corner of Ash and Lisbon streets, 152-168 Lisbon St., have been sold to Portland developers who plan to add retail and residential use to the space. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

And while we’re talking Lewiston

There are plans afoot for more retail on Lisbon Street.

Three Portland buyers have bought three buildings, 152-168 Lisbon St., with plans to change the combined 38,000 square feet, historically only office space, to add residential and retail use, too, according to Craig Church of KW Commercial/Magnusson Balfour Commercial and Business Brokers.

Advertisement

Chris Paszyc and Joseph Italiaander of The Boulos Co. worked with the seller on the deal and Church with the buyer, EAT Holdings at Lisbon Street, made up of Adam Cope, Eli Small and Tom Jordan.

Church said the current office tenant, formerly known as FISC Solutions and more recently as Deluxe Corp., will be out by Aug. 31 and changes will begin then.

“After 30 years of the buildings being under one use, they are looking forward to bringing new vitality and activity to the block that best serves the needs of the community,” Church said Thursday. “The partners are considering ways to open the buildings to the public as soon as possible with their sights set on an open house in mid-September.”

And now in berry news

Gurney’s Seed & Nursery Co. jogged stats like number of pick-your-own farms, growing season and annual precipitation to declare Maine the No. 7 best state in the country for berry picking, tying with Kansas.

Delaware came in first, New Hampshire 14th.

Broken down further, Maine ranked No. 4 for best blueberry picking as well as No. 4 for best strawberry picking,

The state didn’t rank at all for blackberries and raspberries, which means we apparently rose to No. 7 overall strictly on the backs of blueberries and strawberries — berry well done.

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

Related Headlines

Comments are no longer available on this story

filed under: