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Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Park your car, get out and stretch your legs Downtown.
Published by HeartWorks on April 9th, 2010 | Add Comment »
I like the fact that Biddeford is a real town. I live in Wells and there’s no downtown in Wells. I like the fact that you can walk outdoors and walk to the library, town hall, all these shops and restaurants.
Lots of great restaurants, coffee shops, and a wonderful health food cafe — little pocket parks and a gazebo for gatherings on the historic Saco River. Last Friday o’ the month Artwalks! In the summer we have live music at lunch outdoors, antique traders to peruse and lovely specialty shops for uniquely vintage gifts, handwrought artful jewelry and at night, some of the best shows in New England featured at City Theater and HFS Annex. Yes, definitely park your car and come out to Downtown Biddeford!
Lively Characters Emerge in the City Theater!
Published by HeartWorks on April 8th, 2010 | Add Comment »Adapted from the City Theater website at http://citytheater.org - The opera house opened in October 1860 with a play depicting slavery in the Southern states – appropriate on the eve of the Civil War. An era of theatrical history began for the city of Biddeford. Edwin Booth, Joseph Jefferson, and Pat Rooney appeared over the years before appreciative audiences.
Dramatic performances by stage immortals like the Barrymores, along with minstrel shows, community pageants and plays were popular offerings. Local director and actor J.J. Salvas entertained audiences with his portrayal of various characters. Illustrated songs were also well-liked. One such performance ended tragically and remains a part of City Theater’s folklore. On Halloween Eve, 1904 singer Eva Gray collapsed and died after her third encore of the song “Goodbye, Little Girl, Goodbye”. The beautiful 33 year old died backstage from heart failure with her 3 year old daughter present. Many since have referred to Eva as the theater’s resident “ghost”.
We’re sad to see the Art Mart go…
Published by HeartWorks on April 8th, 2010 | Add Comment »The Art Mart has announced that it will be closing its doors in May. This unique downtown art supply store prided itself on selling professional archival material. Artists would frequent the Art Mart because they sold high quality pigments and brushes, as well as a broad range of papers, inks and pastels – all the tools and tricks of the trade. One could go in and rap with the manager, Russ Whitten, who was always willing to share his expertise in color theory and critique. The Art Mart will be sorely missed for sure!
Back in the day… ”A lot of artists are very particular about the materials that they use. We sell a lot of framing supplies. We offer custom framing to artists, stock sculpture material, pastel, variety of papers good for pastel.” –Russ Whitten, shop manager
Hurry in to the store for some generous deals during these final days – we at the Heart of Biddeford wish the folks from the Art Mart the best of luck!
Nothin’ like a good cigar!
Published by HeartWorks on April 2nd, 2010 | Add Comment »
... our own Cheers...
“It’s kind of like our own version of Cheers. We have a good customer base and I don’t feel like I’m coming to work. I hang out with friends, socialize, do different events and tastings, it’s like a wine tasting but cigars, and it’s kind of like a clubby atmosphere.” – Dan Ducharme, owner
The Good Dog Company
Published by HeartWorks on April 2nd, 2010 | Add Comment »
“After studying business at University of Augusta, I had a business crisis – and then I went to culinary school. This was actually a final [school] project – diner and hot dog stand (husband’s idea), covering all bases. 10 yrs of college, hot dog cart! This cart does seem to be recession proof since I haven’t raised the prices since I opened three years ago and everyone can afford a hot dog. Hopefully.”
A downtown landmark!
Published by HeartWorks on April 2nd, 2010 | Add Comment »
This great old sign is a classic, along with the pizza pies within.
“Well yes, I get to know everybody, right? I mean it’s a small town. Personal touch, works out nice that way. I mix match anything people come up with – I think “oh that looks good!” so I work at it that way. Something different you know. And if nothing strikes me I just settle for a plain, can’t go wrong.” – Robert Cote, Manager
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The last days of the mills in Biddeford…
Published by HeartWorks on April 2nd, 2010 | Add Comment »
“Well, times have changed quite a bit. The mills were fired up years ago and there were a lot of French people around. But this started to slow down in the 1950s – mills started to close and moving [sic] their equipment south. Slowly diminished to the point that right now, I believe this month was the last month of textile mills in Biddeford, when they closed what they call Westpoint Homes, after taking over from Westpoint Stevens.”
Great stories about working days in the Biddeford textile industry can be heard in the local Burger King where some of the town's elder elite meet to swap news of the day.
Southern Maine Boxing Club on Main Street
Published by HeartWorks on April 2nd, 2010 | Add Comment »
“There is big history. Especially back in old times during the Depression. I got to know [some of the boxers], interview them as a kid and maybe someday I’ll write a book. There’s a big history of boxing in this town…in fact Pepperell Hall in Biddeford was the first boxing gym. Biddeford Boxing Team of 1919 – Someday it would be nice to let people know what happened in those days, that it wasn’t just a sport, it was a way of survival. They couldn’t get jobs, and if they did, they boxed. There’s a background to it, olympic style boxing, and there’s a lot of grace and athletic ability to it.” – Jay Potvin, Program Director
