Business Spotlight: Jar Cannabis Co.

Jar Cannabis Co. employees made history this week when they opened Windham’s first Adult-Use retail cannabis store at 11 Storm Drive.
Back in January 2019, Jar opened its first medical marijuana retail store in Windham and ever since, their focus remains on delivering personalized and attentive service to customers and continuing to offer products of quality and value.

“We are 100 percent Maine-owned, providing a positive and exciting workplace for our staff, and quality cannabis for customers,” said Joel Pepin, Jar Cannabis Co. co-founder and manager. “We start by putting meticulous effort into growing cannabis in our clean, top-tier facility. We then test and verify our products to ensure accurate dosing. We proudly do all of this in full compliance with local and state regulations.”

Jar Cannabis Co. employs a staff of 70 and Pepin said employees are knowledgeable, professional, courteous and take pride in their work.

“We all realize that we’re doing this at a time when the social stigma of cannabis is shifting,” he said. “In just a short period of time, cannabis companies are now one of Maine’s largest industries.”

Their new Adult-Use store for ages 21 and over opened on Wednesday, Feb. 23, but Pepin emphasized that Jar’s business is multi-faceted, and they will continue to give those using their medical marijuana store the utmost in support and attention as they have come to rely on. The existing medical storefront will continue to operate alongside the new Adult-Use store. 

Adults 21+ are invited to stop by
Jar Co.'s new Adult-Use retail store
at 11 Storm Drive in Windham.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

“Our mission is to provide our customers with an experience at JAR Cannabis Co. that is both personable and comfortable,” said co-owner Adam Platz. “We are not absent owners. We care about the quality of our work and strive for all our customers to have a great experience. We believe that our hard work is what makes our product what it is and retains our customer loyalty.”

Platz said JAR’s team of cultivators and retail employees establish and maintain genuine, professional relationships with customers and patients. 

“We take a holistic approach to wellness and believe that cannabis and the great outdoors is what it’s all about,” he said.

Platz says staying up to date regarding the state’s ever-changing cannabis rules and regulations is not an easy task, but one the business has been able to navigate successfully.

“The real challenge is that this industry is maturing quickly,” he said. “The shifting markets and state laws are one thing but like anything it’s also challenging managing other human beings. We’re proud of what we’ve done so far in building this business.”

According to Pepin, JAR products are cultivated using innovative and organic technologies with an emphasis on quality and consistency.

“Our flower is pesticide free, mold free, devoid of heavy metals, and has been lab tested to the highest standard, he said. “From watering our plants to selling product at our storefronts, our cultivation, operations, and retail teams pay extra attention to every detail to make sure that every JAR Co. product that hits the market is our best-foot-forward. At JAR Co., we ultimately strive to create cannabis products that our customers can trust.”

JAR Co. offers pure and effective cannabis in the form of flower, concentrates, edibles, and CBD products, including tinctures, capsules, lotions, salves, drinks, and lip balms. It is a one-stop-shop where Pepin says that there is genuinely something for everyone.

“Our key to operating a successful business starts with vertical integration and includes the cultivation, extraction and retail aspects,” Pepin said. “We are from Maine; we’re not some out-of-state corporation, and we control our business from seed to the final sale. We care about the quality of our products, and we care about this community.”

The hours for JAR’s Adult-Use retail cannabis store in Windham is 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. They are closed Monday and Tuesday.

For additional information, visit JAR Cannabis Co. online at https://jarcannabis.com/ or find them on Instagram or Facebook at Jar Cannabis Co. <

Business Spotlight: Windham Chiropractic and Rehabilitation

For more than two decades now, residents have been grateful for the knowledge and expertise of Dr. Mark J. Wasowski of Windham Chiropractic and Rehabilitation in helping them improve their range of motion, boost flexibility, and alleviate pain and muscle spasms.

Windham Chiropractic and Rehabilitation is located at 19 Commons Ave. in Windham and generations of Lakes Region patients have come to rely on the personalized and courteous service that they receive from Dr. Wasowski.

“We put people first here,” he said. “We take the time to get to know our patients who really are like family to us.” 

As a chiropractor, Dr. Wasowski says the best part of his work is seeing people amazed at how much better they feel afterward.  

Upon your first visit, he obtains a thorough patient history including previous health problems such as fractures, surgeries, auto accidents, falls and a family medical history.

“We do a history and an examination to determine where there is interference between the body and the brain,” Dr. Wasowski said. “I don’t fix anything, I remove interference.”

He then uses an array of techniques to make appropriate adjustments to a person’s spine and musculoskeletal system.

“You the patient are the healer, not me,” he said. “My part is to determine where there is interference between the body and the brain and then help restore range of motion in those restricted spinal regions.”

He cares for patients experiencing back pain, neck pain, and headaches and helps alleviate pain among those suffering from a wide range of injuries and disorders of the musculoskeletal system involving muscles, ligaments, and joints. Some of these painful conditions can impact the nervous system leading to pain and disfunction in areas far away from the injury.

Dr. Mark Wasowski, owner of Windham Chiropractic and
Rehabiolitation has been helping people achieve optimum
health in Windham for 20 years. PHOTO BY ED PIERCE

The benefits which can be derived from chiropractic care often can extend to general health issues since our body structure affects our overall well-being, Dr. Wasowski said.   

According to Dr. Wasowski, his success as a chiropractor lies in figuring what’s causing the problem instead of what’s producing the symptom.

“The most challenging aspect of being a chiropractor is getting our patients to follow through,” he said. “We live in a society where if the pain is gone, I’m OK. Just because the pain is gone doesn’t necessarily mean that the problem is gone.”

Now 37 years into his career as a primary healthcare provider with the last 20 years spent in Windham, Dr. Wasowski says he first became interested in becoming a chiropractor after visiting Dr. John Reeder, a chiropractor in the Auburn area while attending college.

“When I played tennis in college, I would get pain in my foot,” he said. “I took an interest in what he did and saw how he helped others. “I wanted to do the same thing.”

He went on to earn a Doctorate in Chiropractic from Northwestern College of Chiropractic and has become a Diplomat of what is known as Bio Energetic Synchronization Techniques (B.E.S.T.) which assist patients in achieving mind and body balance and based upon quantum physics. He’s also highly skilled in a variety of chiropractic techniques such as diversified, drop-table, lumbar flexion and Activator, a high-speed, low-force chiropractic adjusting instrument.

Because he used to live in Windham and his children attended Windham schools, through the years, for many of Dr. Wasowski’s patients he’s more than just a former neighbor or someone they see around town, he’s a friend and it’s led to long-term success for Windham Chiropractic and Rehabilitation.

Offering competitive and affordable pricing and convenient hours, Windham Chiropractic and Rehabilitation strives to help patients achieve optimum health.   

Dr. Wasowski said that his goal at Windham Chiropractic and Rehabilitation is to improve a patient’s quality of life so they can continue to enjoy an active lifestyle later in life.

“The greatest misconception people might have about a chiropractor is that they can visit, get adjusted and be OK,” he said. “Proper health is a process though and we all need to be proactive about our health. An ounce of prevention is really worth a pound of cure.” 

For more information about Windham Chiropractic and Rehabilitation or to make an appointment, visit Windhamchiro.com or call 207-892-9001. <

Business Spotlight: A Team Realty

The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little something extra, doing whatever it takes to achieve amazing results and that’s really what the staff at A Team Realty in Windham is all about. 

Founded in August 2021 by highly successful real estate brokers Ramsey Pulkkinen, Alicia Frechette and Ashley Fearon along with real estate partner Jon Keenan, A Team Realty may be a relatively new business, but its staff’s extensive experience, expertise, outstanding communications skills and willingness to go the extra mile on behalf of their clients has drawn rave reviews and quickly built a sterling reputation for excellence in the Lakes Region of Maine in a short period of time.

“Our teamwork is one of our most significant aspects, we pride ourselves on one of us always being available,” Pulkkinen said. “We’ve all worked together for many years and we simply like working with people. We derive good energy from our clients and customers.”

Located at 391 Roosevelt Trail in Windham, A Team Realty is a champion for those buying or selling a home or property in the area and offers personalized service with a pledge to work as hard as possible to help the clients they serve.

“The bottom line is we work with buyers and sellers to achieve their real estate goals and needs,” Pulkkinen said. “We have the expertise and commitment to help you find your new home or investment.”

No matter if you’re a first-time home buyer or looking for a retirement nest egg, the staff at A Team Realty goes out of their way to ensure every customer receives the best home buying experience imaginable, and they strive to keep the process smooth and enjoyable.

“Sometimes clients may think the process is easier than it is and that’s why we are there, and they hire us for our guidance and our expertise along the way,” Pulkkinen said.

A Team Realty staff are skilled and knowledgeable about every facet of real estate transactions and through experience can advise about what’s required to list a home for sale to closing on a new piece of property and everything in between.  

According to Pulkkinen, A Team Realty focuses on fostering communication with clients; marketing to reach buyers and sellers through virtual tours and professional photographs; staying up-to-date on current market trends and ever-changing real estate rules and regulations; agent availability; and treating customers with the utmost of courtesy.

“We are new to owning our own company but have all had great success previously,” she said. “We’re confident we can exceed all expectations and work extremely hard to accomplish that.”

Whatever they are doing is working and can work for you too.

“Ashley, Alicia, and Ramsey were one of the best parts of our home buying experience! They answered every one of my questions, be it important ones or completely naive. This was our first home, and then made it as easy as possible to understand for us. They were incredibly prompt with answers, looked out for our best interest in everything, and helped us get into our home as quick as possible! I would recommend them to anyone! Thank you guys!”  –Lauren Adams

“Our home buying experience was amazing with the A Team! Ramsey and the entire team were so easy to work with. Every step of the way we felt that they had our best interest in mind and every hurdle was worked out with their expertise. We would highly recommend the A Team!”  –Kristin Rowe

“Jon answered all my questions promptly and was on his game through the whole process! He made it easy! Hire more agents like Jon Keenan. n our first home, and we could not have done it without the A Team!  –Shane Enright

“Alicia, Ashley, and Ramsey are awesome. They were so attentive throughout the whole home buying process and made sure everything went smoothly from shopping for homes all the way to the closing. Even after the closing, they were still available to answer questions. They made me feel like I was their only client, when I know they were busy with multiple other clients at the same time. I can’t wait to work with them again in the future.”   –Holly Rand

Call A Team Realty at 207-894-8484 or visit them online at AteamRealty.org. Find them on Facebook at A Team Realty. < 

Business Spotlight: Astoirin/Pearls Within

If you're someone who enjoys unique shopping experiences and not having to travel far for a variety of things from clever cards and tasty toothpaste to hand-crafted jewelry and gifts, then you may want to visit a new shop in Raymond. 

A combination of two businesses, Astoirin owned by Betsy Kate Paradis, and Pearls Within owned by Wendy Martin, have opened at 1288 Roosevelt Trail Unit #4 in Raymond and offer something for just about everyone in search of the perfect gift.  

“We offer a unique shopping experience that blends artisan pearl jewelry with an eclectic mix of gifts, including organic skincare, clothing, stationery, and artwork,” Martin said. “We are happy to feature many products made in the United States and specifically Maine.”

Along with a selection of gifts to be cherished and treasured, the shop also is home to a variety of weekly clubs and Sunday classes open to all.

“Starting in February we will be hosting a crafting club and an entrepreneurs’ club offered at $5 per person,” Paradis said. “Sunday classes range from $35 to $50 and include things like needle-felting, skincare and beauty, self-care, and energy work. Pearls Within offers pearl oyster openings and custom jewelry, including designing just the right pieces for special occasions such as weddings. Wendy will be happy to book pearl parties where a host can invite friends to gather and experience the excitement of opening pearl oysters and setting the pearl into jewelry. Astoirin’s photography division includes custom stationery products that feature places and things of special interest to the client.”

Betsy Paradis of Astoirin and Wendy Martin of Pearls Within
invite you to their new shop in Raymond for unique products
and workshops. COURTESY PHOTO

Paradis said that the shop’s location on Route 302 in Raymond makes it a convenient location for people traveling through the Lake Region corridor and they are happy to ship orders anywhere in the continental United States.

“Our boutique carries products and gifts typically found in larger cities, like Portland and Boston, but in a more personable and relaxed atmosphere,” she said. “Many products, specifically skincare, cosmetics, and pearl oysters make us a little bit different from the other offerings in the community.”

Because of the wide variety of items they offer, customers will always find something to consider at Astoirin and Pearls Within whether they are looking for a gift for others or something special just for themselves.

Both Paradis and Martin say they enjoy their work and the interactions they have with customers makes this shop special.

“There’s a real connection here with people that you just can’t get shopping online,” Paradis said.

Martin said helping customers choose exactly the right gift is the best part of her work at Pearls Within.

“It’s gratifying to help somebody find a special gift for their loved ones,” she said. “We are proud of our personalized service and the level of connection we find with our customers.”   

Having only been open for a few weeks, Paradis said that response to their products and shop’s environment have been extremely favorable.

“Customers are surprised to see all the items artfully displayed in our cozy shop,” she said. “While our combined shop has only been open since the first of the year, Astoirin has been in business since 2019 and Pearls Within is well-known from fairs and local events since 2012.”

In Gaelic, Astoirin means “Little Treasures” and Paradis said she wants everyone to know that the shop has plenty of little gifts to please anyone for any occasion, and especially for Valentine’s Day.

With pricing on par with other independent shops in the Lakes Region, Paradis and Martin say they enjoy networking with local artisans and craftspeople and take pride in being an evolving boutique.

“New inventory continues to arrive, and our seasonal displays will feature Valentines, Easter, Bridal, and Christmas items as the time of year dictates, Paradis said. “Check in frequently to see what’s new. For the month of February, we have a special offer where purchases $50 and over, including gift certificates, come with a special gift, while supplies last.”

The shop is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

Visit Astoirin online at Astoirin.com and on Facebook at Astoirin,LLC.

Pearls Within can be found online at Pearlswithin.com and on Facebook at Pearls Within.

For more information, call 207-655-6154. <