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January 5, 2016

Houlton looks for ways to boost Market Square business

Michelle Mitchell has enjoyed shopping in Market Square in downtown Houlton for more than 30 years.

But, she told the Bangor Daily News there is one thing she would like to see more of in Market Square: businesses staying open later.

“It seems like most of the businesses close at 5 p.m. or 6 p.m.,” she said. “Sometimes after work I would like to come out and go shopping, but you can’t because the businesses down here are closed.”

It is something Josh McLaughlin, president of Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce, has heard before. He said the chamber is working with businesses on ways to bring in more shoppers. Suggestions include staying open later, using social media for promotion and capitalizing on events already sponsored by the chamber, such as Potato Feast Days and Midnight Madness, which is held around Independence Day.

McLaughlin said repetition is key.

“Just because you stay open late once and don’t see many customers does not mean it won’t work,” he said. “You have to keep at it. It is the same with social media.”

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