These 8 Businesses in Maine That Were Founded Over 100 Years Ago
It takes a lot of hard work, a good product, and a loyal customer base to manage to stay in business in Maine for over 100 years. These eight Maine businesses opened up over 100 years ago and are still in business today.
L.L. Bean - Freeport - 112 years
Founded in Freeport in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean to sell his Maine Hunting Shoe out of one room, L.L.Bean has become a worldwide business with over 42 stores and a lot more than just the famous Maine Hunting Shoe, known today as the practical and fashion trendy Bean Boot. 112 years later, the flagship store remains where it all started in Freeport.
Ripley & Fletcher Ford - South Paris - 115 years
The oldest Ford dealership in New England was selling Model T's back in 1909 when it opened up for business in South Paris, right across from the railroad station where trains would regularly deliver new automobiles. Back in 1922, Ripley and Fletcher sold a Model T touring car to Eliza Davis of West Paris for $403 and two cows. The cars have changed, the railroad station is now Norway-Paris Soft Serve, but Ripley and Fletcher have remained in the same location selling cars for 115 years.
Amatos - Portland - 122 years
Giovanni Amato opened his sandwich shop on India Street in Portland in 1902 and named his signature sandwich an "italian" after his home country. The italian is now a Maine staple and Amato's has the honor of serving the "real" Maine italian. 115 years later, Amato's now has 49 stores in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont including the original in its same location on India Street.
Gieger- Lewiston, Maine - 146 Years
Originally founded in Newark, New Jersey, in 1878 Geiger Brothers, formerly known as Geiger Brothers, began as a print shop. In 1955 the company moved to Lewiston and now is simply named Geiger and is an advertising specialties company that makes promo products with business logos on them. It's still a family-owned business for five generations and is currently headed by brothers Gene and Peter Geiger. You may know Peter as the guy who hands out king-size candy bars at Halloween.
Wyman's Blueberries of Maine - 150 years
Wyman's Blueberries was founded in 1874 in Millbridge, Maine by Jasper Wyman. Today it ships Maine blueberries and other fruits all across the county and parts of the world. John, Liz, Nick, Sara, and Tom are the great-grandchildren of our founder Jasper Wyman and they run the company today.
Mathew's Pub - Portland - 152 years
The old green sign still hangs off the building outside Mathew's Pub on Free Street in Portland calling itself "Portland's Oldest Pub & Restaurant." Honestly, nothing exists to verify the claim, but it's been there as long as anyone alive can verify. It's gone by many names over the years, but no one is around anymore to know what it was originally called.
Deering Lumber - 158 years
Matthews Brothers - Belfast - 170 Years
Matthews Brothers was founded in Belfast in 1854 by brothers Noah, Spencer, and Sanford Matthews and manufactured doors, window sashes, blinds, shutters, and window and door frames. You can't miss their manufacturing facility on Perkins Road as you drive past its 900-foot length.
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