• “Tear the Auburn Mall down, it’s easier sometimes to start from scratch.”

• “Mr. Schott should think of adding a family style motel with an indoor water-amusement park to the mall area. … This would make L-A one of a kind and really a destination for many folks.”

• “I am sick and tired of having to go all the way into Auburn for all my needs. We live on Eustis Street in Lewiston and I don’t think I’m the only one who feels this way – and on that note, my husband wants a Home Depot in Lewiston as well…PLEASE…..”

• “I believe in capitalism and like to eat meat – but my God, how many restaurants with slightly varying versions of a previously frozen cheeseburger do we need? All of this development cannot be good for our health and cannot be good for our souls.”

• “It is nice to see the progress being made in Lewiston-Auburn, but there is so much more that needs to be done. There must be more entertainment options available such as the Dave & Busters, Lucky Strike Lanes, Krazy City, etc. … Don’t wait for Portland to get something first. The L-A area can lead the way on modern shopping and entertainment.”

• “Why are all the businesses going to Augusta and Topsham and they always seem to bypass L.A. WE NEED BETTER PEOPLE IN THE L.A. COMMITTEES. HELP THESE COMPANIES COME INTO OUR TOWN!!”

• “Living in the Twin Cities is great. There are so many choices to shop, and they have some fine restaurants and hospitals. I just love it here. Being a senior citizen it’s just big enough to accommodate my means.”

• “Too many eateries/restaurants. Need more ‘anchor’ stores. ‘Roundabouts’ in Auburn need to be more police supervised. Too many morons who have no idea how they work.”

• “I think the recent developments in Lewiston/Auburn are wonderful and I applaud all of the hard work that those involved have done to get the stores here. However, I still feel that the Lewiston/Auburn area is lacking in terms of selection and the Auburn Mall is still very much a disaster. While the improvements have been many, there is still a long way to go.”

• “How about strolling troubadours along the river walkways? Or soap box mini stands for oratories, poetic open mikes or art displays by local artists – free to the public and the participants. Want more weekend shopping? Keep the buses running on the weekends!!”

• “Thanks to the convenience of online shopping, I find that I’m shopping less and less in stores. I’m completely happy that I don’t have to deal with the crowds in the stores. Customer service is not what it used to be, it’s as if the large stores are doing me a favor by being there. I’ve walked out of a few stores in the area because of the rudeness and nonchalant attitude of the cashiers.”

• “I wish someone in the city would put me in charge of planning a new retail area! I guess it would have to start with enlarging our sad excuse for a mall. ‘If you build it, they will come.’ Maybe if we provided better stores to shop at, we wouldn’t see all the fashion disasters walking around in this city.”

• “I moved here 5 years ago from Portland and the retail front was a complete culture shock. I cannot believe with a city as large as Lewiston that I have to drive to Portland, Augusta or Topsham to be able to buy the things I’m looking for. This city deserves better than that!!! This town could and should support the idea of adding more retail, you have the perfect opportunity to make more money for this city by tapping into what is around….RICH college students.”

• “I think since I moved here to L/A area it has come a long way. But no one gives you credit for it. This area is so much nicer than Portland and the people are caring. … Please give yourself a pat on the back and keep up the good work.”

• “I wonder if Lamey-Wellehan and Starbucks are increasing business as a result? So far their parking lots look sparsely populated. Kohl’s looks like it should put Olive Garden in its gigantic parking lot. It’s never full … lotta space there.”

• “I try to buy local, shoes @ Lamey’s, hardware @ local stores, clothes @ Beans, but options are limited. I feel most of my dollars go out of state. More ‘homegrown’ retail options would be great.”

• “(I want) Some good music on these radio stations. We are not all young bobby-sockers, but reserved, respectful seniors. These rock music stations stink. I can’t even understand the lyrics – discrimination! I loathe country and rock music. Some decent music, art and morals please. Clothing styles outrageous! This is a degenerative society.”

• “Why do shoppers from Lewiston, Lisbon, Greene, Sabattus have to go to Auburn to buy a spool of thread and yarn? We miss our Ames and Bradlees. Give us a store! Wal-Mart? Target? Help!”

• “Why does everything go to Auburn. What happened to the city of Lewiston. We have land and empty buildings like Auburn. Come on!! Why by-pass us and go to Augusta? Politics!!”

• “The roundabout is too small for two lanes. People drive like idiots on Turner St. Chill out!”

• “Auburn is starting to look like Portland which looks like Manchester which looks like Lynn which looks like Yarmouth, which looks like New Jersey…”

• “In Lewiston we have no stores to run into and get a variety of things under one roof. No Ames or Zayre or Bradlees – nothing. We need one desperately. I am not crazy about Wal-Mart, for many reasons, but their prices are good, value – good, variety – great. So be it. There you go.”