Main Street Business District

   Our biggest super market has finally finished their renovation and held their grand re opening this past weekend. It's a very nice store with a wide range of products many of which were not previously available in greater Damariscotta. Although this is a large chain store owned by a global corporation, the people that work there are all our friends and neighbors and the corporation is to be commended for using their own money and not the taxpayers to improve the infrastructure (road and drainage) around the store.  There are several smaller markets in the area such as Yellow Front Grocery in Damariscotta and Reilly's Market in New Harbor that do a very nice job and are important pieces of the fabric of our community but all in all the new and improved chain store is a net plus for our area.

   More to the point though is that this store really anchors our expanding Main Street Business District. We've gradually seen an expansion of that district which at one time stopped at the intersection of Bristol Road.  Now it continues north to the intersection with Biscay Road where most of the traffic heading to Bremen turns off and it is slowly but surely expanding towards Route 1 at Pine Grove Plaza and Andrews Pine View Restaurant.

   While some of this is driven by new businesses looking for land which simply isn't available downtown, there are also older established businesses like Damariscotta Hardware that expanded and needed more parking. 

   I look at this as the sign of a healthy vital community that is growing in a very positive manner. There are no vacant storefronts downtown and although every year a business or two may leave, they are quickly replaced.  In 2002 Newcastle Square Realty moved from the southern edge of the business district to our present location at 87 Main Street in Damariscotta and experienced an immediate increase in foot traffic.  Folks seem to enjoy perusing our window boards and homes that we present there seem to get a lot of interest. We have a a very healthy and comfortable village district and an equally healthy and expanding outer district.

   Recently Newcastle Square brokered a land sale in the expanding district, a 9+/- acre parcel that sold for $310,000.  We were also involved in the sale of a residence that was converted to an office building and are presently offering another property at the corner of Main Street and Back Meadow Road that has great potential as both a residence or a commercial spot. Further north we have a very nice parcel just off Main Street on Belvedere Road that has the advantage of also having Route 1 frontage.

   The Great Salt Bay Water District has already expanded the water line north to Route 1 and it is to be hoped that the State will resurface the road in the near future (Wouldn't sidewalks be nice?  At least near the school.)

   We are blessed to live in a town and area that is on the way up, creating jobs and commerce yet still retaining the closeness and charm that we all love.

Jim Cosgrove

New Web Site

   Newcastle Square Realty isn't the only organization in town with a new web site.  Well worth a visit is the new site of the Central Lincoln County YMCA.

   Director Craig Wilson has worked tirelessly to build on the efforts of his predecessors Barry Costa and the late Wayne Plummer. The town has shown its support by deeding over the land (prior to affiliating with the national YMCA this was a town owned recreational facility) and my understanding is that many exciting developments are in the works.

   The "Y" is a terrific asset to our town with a Fitness Center, Tennis Courts , Little League ball field and an ever growing number of programs.  They also operate an excellent child care program. Newcastle Square is proud to be a supporter of this fine organization.

Jim Cosgrove

Welcome Home

   I've just returned from a two week vacation which is why there have been no recent posts.  This means I've missed such annual events as Old Bristol Days, The Miles Rummage Sale and the Red Sox swoon. OK that last one isn't Damariscotta specific but it was just so bad this year (swept by the hated Yankees) it bears mentioning. The Associates here at Newcastle Square presented me with a very nice welcome home present though, while I was away they put 10 properties "under contract"! Once we all got past the idea that maybe I should leave the office more often what this told us is that, despite the "gloom and doom" stories about the demise of the real estate market that have become a regular item in almost every major newspaper lately, there is still some life left in this market.  While there is no question that the high flying market of the past  few years has slowed down there are still ready, willing and most importantly able Buyers who wish to live in our area. For those Sellers who take a reasonable approach to selling their home there is a reasonable expectation of success.  Let me explain what I mean by a reasonable approach.  In the past, when pricing a home it was reasonable to factor into that price that the market was rising.  There were more Buyers than there were Sellers and so a Seller could reasonably expect to receive the upper end of the fair market value range of their property.  Now that equation has flipped.  There are more Sellers than Buyers. All of the reasons why people want to move to this wonderful corner of the world still exist.  However, all free markets are cyclical. Now a Seller can reasonably expect to receive the lower end of their fair market value range.  The key for both Buyers and Sellers is understanding where that fair market value range lies.  This is where an experienced Broker comes in.  Knowing the latest comparable sales and looking at the data objectively  a competent Broker can help a Seller to define the fair market value of their property. Similarly a competent Broker can help a Buyer to understand the fair market value of the property (s) that fit their needs. As long as everyone understands fair market value both the Buyer and Seller will get what they want.  Now as for the Red Sox, well I guess it's "wait until next year".

Jim Cosgrove

Mid Summer Festival

   The Damariscotta Newcastle Rotary Club presents the third annual Mid Summer Festival this weekend, August 4, 5 and 6th.  What started as a modest little event has grown to be one of the highlights of the summer for residents and summer visitors alike. Held on the grounds of The Lincoln Home overlooking the Damariscotta River. you can see the big white tents as you come off Route 1 into town. 

   This summers festival is the biggest yet and starts on Friday morning at 10 with the Maine Art Gallery Show in the halls of The Lincoln Home itself. This will go on all day so stop by anytime. The real fun starts at 4:30 when they will begin to serve Caribbean style food under the big top.  The Atlantic Clarion Steel Band will play at 6 PM, and The Rotary Clubs famous decadent desserts will be available!

   On Saturday at noon the now famous Dog Show will begin registering canines.  This originally started out as a side show to the festival but has grown in popularity to become one of the focal points of the weekend. Last year there were 38 entries and the big top was packed with every seat taken and latecomers standing outside peering in. This years show promises to be even bigger and better and will be preceded by a demonstration of the police dogs of the Lincoln County Sheriffs Dept. Rotary Club President Gary Speers has volunteered to play the part of the bad guy and get mauled for the crowds entertainment. The Dog Show itself will kick off at 1 PM with the Parade of Pooches followed by such serious tests of skill and training as Dog with the Waggiest Tail, Loudest Barker, Best Trick and Best Costume. Great fun and all proceeds go to local animal shelters. Yours truly will host this event so be sure and say hi!

   Saturday evening is another night of terrific music beginning at 4:30 with the very talented local jazz group Cross Town Traffic followed at 6 PM by the nationally acclaimed Black Eagle Jazz Band. Chowder, hamburgers and hot dogs will be available or bring a picnic supper and enjoy an evening of great jazz on the banks of the Damariscotta River.

   On Sunday the Maine Obsolete Automobile League will parade through the Twin Villages to the grounds of The Lincoln Home where the antique autos will be available for viewing from 1 to 4.  CrossTown Traffic (how appropriate is that?) will again be on stage so it promises to be a great afternoon.

   Tickets to the various events are available at The Lincoln Home, Maine Coast Bookstore, Skidompha Library or from any Rotarian. The dog show is free to spectators and there is a small fee to enter your dog.

   Don't miss this fun weekend brought to you by the Damariscotta Newcastle Rotary Club. Every dollar earned will go toward a good cause and you and your family are guaranteed a lot of fun.

Jim Cosgrove