The interior of Poppy’s Redemption Center as seen on Thursday, Sept. 12, in Jay. Leo Goddard/Franklin Journal

JAY — Poppy’s Redemption Center is under threat of closure due to an appeal made against them. The news was first shared in a Facebook post on Wednesday. David Madore, the Director of Communications/Legislative at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), said that the appeal was sent in by Four Winds Too Redemption Center in Livermore Falls.

According to the Maine Statute, Subsection 3 states that municipalities with a population of under 5,000 people may only have one redemption center. This does not apply to Four Winds Too as they exist within another town and county, however the town of Jay just falls short of the population requirement with a population of 4,620 and the North Jay Redemption Center (also known as The Juice Box) already existed in Jay before Poppy’s.

However, Subsection 4 states that an exception could be made if “the applicant has demonstrated a compelling public need for an additional redemption center in the municipality.”

Poppy’s Redemption Center has been up and running with a valid license since July, but the state is currently investigating the location after the appeal surfaced. Gigi’s Pizzaroni, a nearby business, showed their support by reposting the message and hosting a petition that community members can sign in support of keeping the business open.

“They are a good addition to the community,” said Erica Poland, owner of Gigi’s Pizzaroni. She mentioned that Poppy’s has done a lot for the community in the short time that they have been open including fundraisers for the makeover of Spruce Mountain Ski Slopes and for the victims of the recent fire in Jay.

Donation bins for Spruce Mountain Ski Slopes and the victims of the Sept. 3 Jay fire can be seen on Thursday, Sept. 12, outside of Poppy’s Redemption Center in Jay. Leo Goddard/Franklin Journal

“We’re here for them,” Arthur Vigue, the owner of Poppy’s, said about the community. He shared that Poppy’s is giving six cents per bottle through September instead of the normal five to show support.

The petition lists multiple arguments for the need of another redemption center including overcrowding in other redemption centers close by, the need for jobs, and environmental impact. Poland said that the petition to keep Poppy’s open already has nearly 150 signatures, though it is unknown how many are needed.

Vigue said that he knows who placed the appeal, but he doesn’t want to name names. “We don’t want to do what they did to us,” he said. He shared that he doesn’t want to spread any negativity. “I can’t stress this enough,” said Vigue.