Abdirahman Saeed, left, and Abdinur Mohamed stand Tuesday in front of their new business, Black Diamond Detailing, at their new location at 409 Sabattus St. in Lewiston. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
Two young entrepreneurs, who started out with a mobile detailing business earlier this year, have opened a brick-and-mortar shop at 409 Sabattus St., complete with ribbon cutting from the mayor, the Chamber of Commerce and the chief of police.
We first met Abdirahman Saeed and Abdinur Mohamed, owners of Black Diamond Detailing, last May at the LA Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Top Gun competition, a 12-week program that focuses on the business model, marketing, financials and human resources.
The two Somali men didn’t win that day, but they have made huge strides since then, garnering tons of positive comments about their work on social media, which is one of the places you can reach them. Just look for the one in Lewiston, because there are several pages and groups with the same name.
Their prices are very reasonable, they have a reputation of responding quickly to inquiries and for being dependable. They are expanding their service offerings at the new Sabattus Street location and told The Buzz they may reactivate their mobile service once they have established themselves at the brick-and-mortar store.
The new store is open 7 days a week:
Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Find them on Facebook @DetailingBlackDiamond or 207-740 – 8963.
Lucky Cat Coffee truck of deliciousness
The Lucky Cat Coffee truck in the parking lot Tuesday at 426 Lisbon St. in Lewiston. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
This unique concept comes from Hong Kong, where the owner of a new food truck in town got her first taste of bubble waffles, a popular street food there, on a trip to visit her best friend.
They call it gai daan jai, which is Cantonese for bubble waffles. It’s the centerpiece of Lisa Harvey’s new business venture, Lucky Cat Coffee, a food truck that serves fresh coffees, teas and fruit-filled brioche buns in addition to those famous bubble waffles at her primary parking spot at 426 Lisbon St., in the lot next to Urban Farms. It is mobile, so it’s always best to check the Lucky Cat Coffee truck social media pages on Instagram and Facebook for the most up to date location information.
Harvey says it’s been in the works for a few years. “We always wanted a coffee shop,” she told The Buzz on Tuesday afternoon. The COVID-19 pandemic put a roadblock in her plans.
“Why not a food truck,” she added, “because you can take it anywhere you want, low overhead costs and gives us a chance to get our feet on the ground.”
Open just three weeks, Lucky Cat Coffee already has some regulars and is getting good feedback from customers in person and online.
Lisa Harvey with her daughter, Catherine Mills, wait for customers Tuesday in the Lucky Cat Coffee truck parked in the lot at 426 Lisbon St. in Lewiston. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
“They’re delicious because they’re so simple,” Harvey said about her bubble waffles. The recipe, however, took her two years to perfect, because the street vendors in Hong Kong don’t write down their recipes, and the rest of the world uses the metric system, which means all the ingredient measurements need to be converted.
Harvey is calling it a dessert and coffee experience, although it could also be breakfast.
“It ends up being great, because the two compliment each other really well,” Harvey said.
Look for the Lucky Cat Coffee truck 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, noon to 6 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Times and days may change as the seasons change, and you can always check on Instagram @luckycatcoffeetruck and Facebook @KitsuneKafe, or call 207-745-9111.
Isaac’s Place calling it home
Isaac’s Place food trailer will open Monday at 546 Turner St., Auburn. Submitted photo
Speaking of mobile food, Isaac’s Place has a new owner and new location. Owners Joshua Desmarais and his daughter, Hannah Olcott, bought and refurbished the mobile food trailer and will open to the public starting Monday, Nov. 21, at 8 a.m., at 546 Turner St. in Auburn.
It’s a semi-permanent location for the father-daughter team, who will offer breakfast sandwiches starting at $3.50, then subs, sandwiches, salads, burgers, hot dogs, cheese steaks and chicken tenders ranging from $2.25 to $12 for a chicken tender basket.
Desmarais says they use all fresh ingredients, sourced locally at Mailhots Sausage, Wards Market and Blackies Farm Fresh Produce.
The team has been up and running at area events, including the Fryeburg Fair, and told The Buzz their Italian sausage and cheese steak subs were flying off the grill.
Hours of operation:
Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Find their menu on Facebook @isaacsplacemaine or call them 207-705-3225.
You can call in orders for pick-up and they also offer delivery.
The Buzz offers quick hits about trending area business happenings. Have a Buzzable tip? Contact business writer Christopher Wheelock at 689-2817 or cwheelock@sunjournal.com
Send questions/comments to the editors.
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