The library itself, on Bowdoin Street, is on the National Historic Register, making it tricky to do improvements to make it more useable and handicapped accessible. I love that about Winthrop. Ladd said two of the downtown restaurants are packed at night, and that the town could use more retail stores. Wing suggested a Reny's Department Store, something akin to the Wilson's Dollar Store that used to stand on Main Street. A Hallowell-based development company signed an agreement to purchase it in February.
Initial plans call for a coffee house to be on the first floor and apartments above.
Thomas cited the town's good geographic siting. Depending on driving speed, it can be an hour to the coast, the mountains and Portland. He said the low crime rate and good infrastructure make it an ideal location for businesses. The town, however, needs to encourage that by offering such incentives as tax breaks, he said. Ranney said the town can build on its reputation as a cultural center.