Michael’s craft store is coming to 600 Center St. in the Shaw’s Plaza in Auburn, with the opening expected in February 2024. Renovations are underway at the vacant storefront. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal
AUBURN — It’s official, the Buzz has confirmed that Michael’s craft store is coming to 600 Center St., right next to Jersey Mike’s in the Shaw’s Plaza complex in Auburn.
Renovations are underway at the vacant storefront. The company said it expects to open by the end of February 2024, with plans to hire “dozens of temporary, full-time and part-time roles over the course of the year.”
Michael’s operates 1,290 stores in 49 states and Canada and is headquartered in Irving, Texas. It is the largest craft store chain in North America with locations in Bangor, Augusta, Scarborough and Biddeford.
Michael’s sells crafts, art supplies and custom framing, floral and home decoration and bulk supplies.
The Auburn store will put it a stone’s throw from competitor Hobby Lobby.
The store is listed as 18.590 square feet, which is the average size of existing Michael’s stores.
To apply for a job go to Michaels.com/jobs.
Shaw’s Supermarkets is investing nearly $1 million to renovate its Lewiston store at 27 East Ave. A spokeswoman for parent company Alberstons said the project will be completed in early 2024, with work focused on “expanded fresh foods and overall shopping convenience.” Daryn Slover/Sun Journal
Shaw’s in Lewiston getting $1 million makeover
LEWISTON — Shaw’s Supermarkets is investing nearly $1 million to renovate its Lewiston store at 27 East Ave. A city permit approved in October lists the estimated cost of work at $950,000. A similar renovation for $850,000 was completed in 2020 at the Auburn location on Center Street.
A spokeswoman for parent company Alberstons said the project will be completed in early 2024, with work focused on “expanded fresh foods and overall shopping convenience.”
Kroger, the nation’s largest supermarket chain, announced it would merge with Albertsons in a $20 billion deal that is expected to close in early 2024, subject to regulatory review.
There are 19 Shaw’s supermarkets in Maine.
Two multifamily apartments approved for Center Street in Auburn
AUBURN — The Buzz confirms more new apartments are coming to Auburn.
Wu Management has received city approval to build two new multifamily apartment buildings at 405 and 407 Center St. in Auburn. Permits were approved by the city last month. A spokesman for the company said they expect to break ground as soon as this week, with an estimated completion in late 2024 or early 2025.
Plans call for two, three-story apartment buildings, one with 10 units and the other with 11. Each building will have a common space with access to the complex on Center Street. One of the buildings will offer a co-working space for residents who want to work from home, with desks and Wi-Fi.
The 21 units will be market-rate apartments and will all be two-bedroom. The apartments will have in-unit laundry hookups and there will also be a shared laundry facility on site. The price has not yet been determined for the apartments.
Plans call for at least 31 parking spaces. The company said the project is being built with energy efficiency in mind.
The estimated cost of construction is listed at $4 million. The site is a vacant lot behind the T-Mobile store.
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
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