Friday, August 25, 2023

Business Spotlight: Frank's Truck Kaps

Don’t let the name fool you. Frank’s Truck Kaps of Windham is about much more than just truck caps, it has every accessory for just about every road adventure or utility need along with a long list of top-quality brands for those that are looking to upgrade and protect their ride.

General Manager Ozzy will help you
find the part that you're looking for at
Frank's Truck Kaps.
PHOTO BY MELISSA CARTER
Since Frank’s first opened its doors in 1976, it has focused on serving the community, providing exceptional customer service, and faithfully standing by the products it sells. Two years ago, new local owners Jeff Lyon and Dave Carter took over Frank’s Truck Kaps and added many new lines of reputable products and an array of showroom upgrades.

Frank’s continues to be Maine’s leader in Leer truck cap sales year after year, but its customers know that they are much more than that. They focus on giving the community a local source for many more products such as Truxedo truck bed covers and WeatherTech floor mats to shield their vehicle interiors from daily wear and tear. Additionally, they offer lift kits, side steps, running boards, mudflaps, and a variety of storage solutions for work and play.

Best of all, Frank’s is the leader in rapidly obtaining accessories and parts that others take days to locate and obtain. About 99 percent of what they sell can be shipped overnight and available the next day if it’s not already in stock.

Located at 357 Roosevelt Trail in Windham on Route 302 next to the newly renovated Big Apple, Frank’s Truck Kaps is hard to miss with bright Old Town kayaks for sale and a lot full of North Force Trailers outside made right here in Maine.

If you are looking for a utility trailer, Frank’s has a vast selection on sale currently and the team invites you to check out what’s available either on their website or to swing by in person to experience their no pressure, knowledgeable atmosphere led by their general manager, Ozzy.

The Frank’s Truck Kaps team has a combined total of more than 40 years of experience with truck utility products and installation. The company’s roots in the Windham community and its history with its customers is deeply valued and appreciated.

The team believes great customer service is the key to establishing long-term relationships, and they want to be here to help with your needs for the long haul. Beyond installations, they do repairs on truck caps and trailers, and are happy to make special orders of products from the manufacturers they carry. They are the longest active truck cap dealer; lots of their competitors have gone out of business. 

They have adapted through all the challenges over the years and continue to keep prices low. Their installer/tech has been in the business for over 30 years, and he is the most knowledgeable person around. They offer so much that they can afford to keep prices competitive and build their business through volume.”

Reviews of Frank’s Truck Kaps posted online are nothing short of incredible.

“Ordered WeatherTech floor mats for my new Rogue on Friday and they were ready to be picked up on Monday! Quick turnaround and great prices!” – Taylor Osmond

“I was happily reminded this week of the generous and exemplary service at Frank's! You just won't get their kind of customer care anywhere else. It obviously comes from the heart, not a script.” – Mark Fuller

“I recommend Frank's to anyone looking to purchase and install accessories for their truck.” – Vincent “Jim” Troiola

The employees at Frank’s Truck Kaps will do everything they can to find exactly what you’re looking for and go above and beyond to make sure that their customers receive the best price and the best quality product available.

“We’re truck people, and we drive trucks,” Carter said. “We drive what we sell and believe in our products. We want to continue to be depended upon for quality truck caps and accessories. We also want to expand our products to be a one-stop shop for making your vehicle work for the demands you put on it.”

Frank’s Truck Kaps is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. To see the impressive list of the top-quality brands they sell visit their website: www.frankstruckkaps.com, call them at 207-892-3130, or take a ride over to see them. You can also find them on Facebook under Frank’s Truck Kaps. <

Friday, August 18, 2023

Business Spotlight: St. Pierre Law, PLLC

To Hannah St. Pierre, being an attorney is not merely just a vocation, it’s a public trust, and an obligation to give back to the community.

Hannah St. Pierre has operated St. Pierre Law
in Raymond since March 2023 and has been
practicing law since 2019.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 
She has operated St. Pierre Law in Raymond since March 2023 and has been practicing law since 2019. St. Pierre takes great pride in her ability to provide clarity to resolve problems when conflict and misunderstanding of the law arises between individuals.

“We are dedicated to serving the Maine community legal with services tailored to meet the unique needs of individuals and businesses alike,” she said. “From family, estate planning, probate, civil, and business law, our experienced team provides comprehensive legal solutions with excellence and compassion.”

The law firm specializes in five areas of practice including: (1) Family law which encompasses a wide range of legal matters, such as divorce, paternity, parental rights, child support, protection from abuse and harassment, post-judgement modification, enforcement, contempt, and DHHS involvement; (2) Probate law, which covers a range of legal matters, including estate administration, estate litigation, minor and adult guardianships and conservatorships, adoptions, termination of parental rights, and minor and adult name changes; (3) Estate Planning comprising of wills, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, transfer on death deeds, trust modification, and deeds; (4) Civil law providing support for issues such as landlord-tenant disputes and small claims matters; and (5) Business law with limited assistance for businesses, including corporation and LLC formation services to ensure compliance with state laws, as well as Registered Agent services to help businesses remain in good standing with the state.

“The Firm believes in building strong relationships with our clients, based on mutual trust and respect. We are committed to providing personalized attention and prompt communication, so our clients always feel informed and supported throughout the legal process,” St. Pierre said. “With our unique approach to legal issues, we aim to provide our clients with peace of mind and security, so they can move forward with confidence. We understand that legal issues can be overwhelming, which is why we are dedicated to providing our clients with legal services that are tailored to individual needs. Our experienced team works diligently to navigate the legal system with the utmost integrity and professionalism, ensuring that our clients' rights and interests are protected. At our Firm, we take the time to listen to our clients and gain a thorough understanding of their legal needs and objectives, enabling us to craft tailored solutions that meet their specific goals.”

St. Pierre said that the best thing about her practice is that she’s able to connect with people in the local community on both an interpersonal level and a business level, which helps her gain a better understanding about what’s going on in the community.

“We take the time to listen to our clients and gain a thorough understanding of their legal needs and objectives, enabling us to craft tailored solutions that meet their specific goals,” she said. “We focus on informal settlement discussions, mediations, and other alternative dispute resolution avenues to make settlement a priority, rather than extensive litigation that is both time-consuming and costly. However, we are ready to litigate when required.”

St. Pierre graduated from the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in Phoenix, Arizona in 2019. During law school, Hannah clerked for the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division I, Chambers of the Honorable Jon W. Thompson and was a legal extern for two semesters at the Arizona Supreme Court Staff Attorney's Office. During her final year of law school, she was a law clerk with the Stanford Law Office in Scottsdale, Arizona, which focused on family law and probate matters. She was a moot court competitor, was a recipient of ASU's highest pro bono distinction award and received CALI awards for the top Grade Point Average in the subjects of criminal law, legal writing, civil procedure, and torts.

She has significant experience in family matters involving divorce, parental rights and responsibilities, grandparents’ rights, child support, minor and adult guardianships, adoptions, and termination of parental rights. Hannah has additional experience in the areas of estate planning, estate administration, and estate litigation. Prior to law school, from 2014 to 2016, Hannah was a family law paralegal for a busy litigation firm in Phoenix, Arizona focusing on high-asset divorce, custody, spousal support, grandparents' rights, and adoption. She also served as a case manager for the Androscoggin County Family Treatment Drug Court in Lewiston from 2012 to 2014 where she worked closely with Judge John B. Beliveau, treatment providers, DHHS, and parents' attorneys to assist in achieving a positive outcome for parents struggling with substance abuse disorders.

Following graduation from ASU Law, St. Pierre passed the bar in Nevada and practiced in worker's compensation, family law, and probate administration in Carson City, Nevada. She’s since returned to her home state of Maine, and joined the Law Office of Todd H. Crawford, Jr., P.A. from 2020 to 2023. Her law office is in the A-Frame Building across the street from the Good Life Market on Route 302 in Raymond.

St. Pierre Law can be reached at 207-613-2955 or online at stpierrelawme.com. Find St. Pierre Law on Facebook. <

Friday, August 11, 2023

Business Spotlight: Long Beach Marina

Since 1988, the Minervino Family has been welcoming boaters to Long Beach Marina on Sebago Lake and they go out of their way to treat everyone with kindness, courtesy, and respect.

As a full-service facility, Long Beach Marina at 81 Sebago Road (Route 114) in Sebago (Boat Coordinates 43°51’0”N, 70°34’0”W) can handle all your boating needs including late-model pontoon rentals, a dock with 93 octane fuel, long-term and short-term mooring rentals with courtesy shuttle, full-service packages, winterization, shrink wrapping, winter storage, boat washing, and an easy-to-launch boat ramp.

“Service with a smile is our mission” said Sam Minervino, who co-owns Long Beach Marina with his wife, Jan. “We keep it small so we can offer personalized service for each customer. In doing that, we get to know each individual customer and their boat.”

Long Beach Marina was established in 1947 and still maintains the original dock that was on the property when purchased in 1988, with regular upgrades to the infrastructure on site that help to ensure its use for years to come.

“In 2019 we added a service department, and we keep striving to offer the finest no-hassle boating services available locally,” Minervino said. “We offer year-round service and go the extra mile by treating our customers as we would want to be treated.”

He said that Long Beach Marina constantly maintains and upgrades its rental fleet of pontoons, providing a safe and worry-free rental experience on Sebago Lake.

Not only do they expertly maintain their own rental fleet, but Long Beach Marina’s experienced service technicians also take pride in caring for their customers’ boats and vessels with an array of mechanical repairs, routine maintenance, winter storage and reconditioning services available.

“Our complete service package is a great option if you appreciate meticulous care of your vessel and prefer to leave the details to the professionals,” Minervino said. “You can leave your boat on one of our moorings or we can pick it up at your dock. We’ll pull your boat out of the water in the fall and launch it in the spring for your next season of hassle-free boating. Our marine mechanics are skilled technicians who will treat your boat with expertise and care.”

Full end-of-season services are provided featuring winterization, shrink wrap, bottom washing, and storage. Start-of-season service to include spring commission, quick clean and launch with no requirement for a truck or trailer.

Convenience is another reason customers prefer Long Beach Marina. The facility is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays days and 7 p.m. weekends during boating season and features timely preseason and postseason hours in the spring and fall.

The Long Beach Marina’s full-service fuel dock is easily accessed from the open lake, without under water obstruction, tricky channels, or waterways to navigate. The helpful marina crew members pump 93 octane gas to keep your boat running efficiently.

Online reviews are consistently nothing less than exceptional.

“These guys made everything so easy! The boat was in excellent condition, the staff were helpful and nice and so polite. Wonderful experience all the way around. This is the second year we've rented from them and will keep coming back.” Leigh H.

“Our experience was amazing! Check-in was fast and informative. Check-out was a breeze. The boat was clean and beautiful! We had an amazing time on Sebago Lake. Thank you for making our experience memorable! We will definitely be back.” Lina R.

“We rented a boat from Long Beach Marina to go tubing and some fishing. I appreciated the ease of renting from them, it was quick and uncomplicated. All the workers were helpful and friendly. Lake Sebago is beautiful - we had a great day on the water.” Cindy J.

“Great day on the lake. Boat pick-up and drop off was easy. Staff all very friendly. The lake is clean, beautiful, and so big that we felt like we had it mostly to ourselves despite being there on a prime summer Saturday. Amazing day!” Stephen C.

Long Beach Marina will be hosting The 3rd Annual Patty’s' Pontoon Ride for Veterans and their families, starting at noon Saturday, Sept. 9 on Sebago Lake to benefit the Operation Ray of Light program. The day includes a trip around the lake followed by a free barbecue at the marina to wrap up summer.

For more information about Long Beach Marina or to make an appointment for service, visit longbeachmarina.com or call them at 207-787-3908. Find them on Facebook and Instagram. <

  

Friday, August 4, 2023

Business Spotlight: D&R Paving and Sealcoating

As homeowners in Maine, we take great pride in the beauty and comfort of our properties. While we focus on maintaining the interiors and gardens, one crucial aspect often overlooked is the driveway. Investing in proper driveway paving and sealcoating is essential to ensure not only its longevity but also the functionality and aesthetics it brings to your property.

If you’re looking for a locally owned paving company that you can trust, look no further than D&R Paving and Sealcoating. Established in 1995, owner Dana Brown has decades of experience with jobs both large and small. He has built a reputation for delivering superior workmanship and customer service for all asphalt needs. From the groundwork to the finish sealcoating, his dedicated crew performs quality work at a very competitive price.

“What distinguishes us from our competitors is our attention to detail,” Dana said. “We go the extra mile and pay close attention to our work.”

D&R Paving and Sealcoating takes thorough steps to ensure that your investment will withstand tough Maine seasons for years and years to come. Some of these details are proper drainage, straight edges, smooth finishes, adequate thickness, and flush transitions. This is important to ensure a durable finish and superior curb appeal. They are upfront and honest about the scope of a project so there are no hidden surprises. From the groundwork to completion, they have all the best equipment to get the job done right the first time and on budget.

If you already have a paved surface, it is important to perform proper ongoing maintenance to significantly extend its life. D&R Paving and Sealcoating can help with that too. They use top of the line seal coat to not only provide a protective barrier on the surface but to also enhance the appearance with a flawless, smooth, jet-black sheen.

D&R Paving and Sealcoating stresses the importance of sealing up cracks in your asphalt surfaces as well. Even small cracks allow water to seep down underneath the surface of your pavement which will weaken it over time. Seasonal temperatures can cause asphalt to expand and contract, creating more and more cracks which can then turn to potholes. For this reason, crack sealing is recommended as the most cost-effective preventative pavement maintenance procedure and should not be put off.

If your driveway or lot is more than a decade old, it may be time for periodic milling. Asphalt milling is an affordable solution to restore the surface. Rather than a complete demolition, milling grinds up the old asphalt surface and replaces it with a new, smooth overlay.

D&R Paving and Sealcoating also offers recycled asphalt which can be a great lower cost alternative to traditional pavement. Reclaimed asphalt is recycled asphalt that has been torn up from a previous project. With this material, the asphalt is crushed and mixed with gravel making the surface perform like a gravel road, but with easier maintenance and plowing. It is still far superior to a dirt or gravel road because it keeps your surface completely solid and free of mud. Once reclaim is laid it will also be simpler down the road to upgrade to traditional asphalt if desired.

For commercial and industrial parking lots, D&R Paving and Sealcoating does striping and marking. Whether you are installing a new parking lot, resurfacing an old one, changing its layout, or simply having existing stripes repainted, D&R will get the job done precisely. They are also very well-versed with ADA guidelines for handicapped access and will provide the knowledge to comply with every regulation.

Working with an independent, family-owned company means you will work with the owner directly and every job is personally guaranteed by Dana himself. Keeping his word, job after job, and doing quality work every time is how they have earned a BBB accredited A+ rating. Their excellent workmanship has earned the trust and loyalty of thousands of satisfied, repeat customers and they are excited to add you to that growing list.

Make your driveway a point of pride and let it be a reflection of the care and attention you put into your home by trusting the experts at D&R Paving and Sealcoating. They can provide expert advice on the best materials and practices to suit Maine's climate and ensure your driveway stays in excellent condition for years to come. Prices are based on square footage with groundwork also taken into consideration. Call for a free estimate now and beat the end-of-summer rush at 207-247-8706 or 207-281-2224. You may also email: drpaving@roadrunner.com. Visit them on Facebook or go to their website: dandrpavingcompany.com to see a complete description of services, portfolio and read their reviews. <