Business Spotlight: Your Desk

As working remotely has gained in popularity and office space rent for small businesses continues to skyrocket, a unique business idea called coworking has emerged and now that concept is available in Windham at Your Desk.

Your Desk, located in the Windham Crossing complex at
744 Roosevelt Trail #206, offers affordable, manageable
workspaces that can be rented on a daily, weekly or
monthly basis. COURTESY PHOTO 

Located in the Windham Crossing complex at 744 Roosevelt Trail #206, Your Desk offers reasonably priced, manageable workspaces that can be rented on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. It serves customers from anywhere, from local people looking for a place to connect with other professionals to work, read, or have a meeting, to visitors who need a temporary place to work remotely while on vacation.

This space houses four private offices, a conference room, seven semi-private desks, and a large room with 18 diverse work areas, including adjustable desks, worktables, upholstered seating, and a high-top bar table. A phone booth and a restroom are available within the space. Access to Your Desk is provided through a reservation system, either online, or through an app and then scanned at the front door for entry. Wi-Fi, coffee, and tea are provided to customers at no charge as part of the service and high-speed internet and limited printing services are also available for guests.

“This is a great option for someone who needs a workspace,” said Your Desk co-owners John Krouse and Chris St. Pierre. “There is such a high demand for this type of service, and we are the only business of this type providing this service locally. We’re calling it a community because it’s so much more than just a space to work.”

St. Pierre and Krouse say they got started in the coworking community business out of necessity.

“We were looking for an office space to house our real estate business, Next Key Real Estate brokered by eXp Realty, and was not able to find a reasonably sized or priced office space,” St. Pierre said. “The coworking spaces in the greater Portland area were all full and had a waiting list. We saw an office condo for sale that was in desperate need of an update, coupled with a vision on how to convert the space to a coworking business.”

According to Krouse, Your Desk’s plan is to create a coworking community in Windham with the goal of not only providing a professional space for its customers, but also be a resource with the hosting of informational events throughout the year with use of its conference and general space rooms.

“Perhaps your own at-home work environment has changed, or working from home is not an option, or you are a business owner just starting out, or you are working from home and the power goes out, or a seasoned business owner who needs a spot for employees to work as they grow,” he said. “This is the perfect spot with short- and long-term options. The conference room is available for meetings or seminars and can be rented hourly.”

Your Desk is highly affordable, with daily access for its general room and monthly membership starting at around $9.50 a day.

“There are many pricing options as we’re flexible to everyone’s needs,” Krouse and St. Pierre said.

More than simply providing a space to work, Your Desk also offers opportunities for networking by drawing together professionals from diverse fields and possibilities for collaboration and motivational support. It offers a professional atmosphere instead of remote isolation and can lead to improved productivity, and is cost effective, as renting an office space independently can be pricey.

“Your Desk is an independent business with reasonable rates and several amenities. This will be an asset to the local community to assist customers with their work needs,” Krouse said. “If you need a change of scenery to be more productive in a work environment, your traveling, powers is out at your home office, your business is growing out of its current spot, or you need a place without distractions, this is the perfect location to help take that next step to being more successful.”

Grand Opening Days for Your Desk are planned for Jan. 31 and Feb. 3 with tours available and refreshments, prizes and giveaways offered.

Your Desk is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

To learn more about Your Desk, call 207-613-2331 or visit http://www.yourdeskmaine.com. Find them on Facebook under YourDeskMaine or send an email to admin@yourdeskmaine.com <

Business Spotlight: Pure Clean Co.

When you hire a cleaning service, you expect value, quality, and attention to detail, and Pure Clean Co. of Windham offers all of those and more to its loyal and devoted customers.

Cory Beaulieu is the owner of Pure Clean Co. 
which is based in Windham and offers
exceptional residential, commercial and
Airbnb cleanings. COURTESY PHOTO 

Pure Clean provides exceptional residential, commercial and Airbnb cleanings. Popular services include weekly, biweekly, or monthly cleanings, move-in and move-out cleans, and one-time cleanings. Additional services include strip and waxing or buffing of VCT tile floors and small-job carpet cleaning services. They also specialize in deep cleanings that focus on removing built up dust, germs, and bacteria from the hardest locations to reach.

Now under the sole ownership of Cory Beaulieu, Pure Clean features strong reliable staff members who provide amazing attention to detail and sincerely care about the quality of their work.

“We travel from Bridgton to Yarmouth and go as far as Portland and South Portland,” Beaulieu said. “We truly care about our clients and keeping their homes perfect.”

According to Beaulieu, Pure Clean Company’s pricing is always fair, transparent and very competitive.

“Because we don't do the minimum, we are always doing more than the average company and what they offer for the same prices or more,” he said. “We recently had a slight price increase, but our goal is to continue delivering the highest standard of cleaning services while ensuring fair compensation for our dedicated cleaning professionals.”

The company has been in business since 2019 and has 12 dedicated staff members who are grateful for the continued trust shown by the public and support for their cleaning services.

“We are fully insured and trustworthy and have many five-star reviews,” Beaulieu said. “Because we pay strict attention to the little things and go above and beyond to exceed customer expectations, we have a stellar reputation among our customers.”

Through careful and meticulous attention to detail, Pure Clean specialists delve into the nooks and crannies of homes, including the baseboards, ceiling fan blades, light fixtures, surfaces and even the insides of ovens, microwaves and dishwashers in kitchens and strive to make bathrooms a priority, including the removal of troublesome water stains and leaving tubs, tile and grout behind that shine and sparkle like they are brand new.

Beaulieu said that estimates are always free and convenient bookings are readily available for Pure Clean Co.

“Part of our continued success is that we have great communication with our customers and are very flexible to work around their schedules,” he said.

Reviews of Pure Clean Company posted online are extraordinary.

“Today was my first Pure Clean experience and it won’t be the last. They cleaned our home meticulously and thoroughly. I am so pleased with the work their team does!” – Kate Ryan

“We used Pure Clean for a regular clean and they did a deeper clean where it was needed (bathrooms) and left the place looking spotless. They were extremely responsive from start to finish and handled the logistics beautifully.” – Karen Dahl

“These guys are fantastic. When I got home, I thought the house looked really great. Then I opened up the microwave, and almost had a heart attack... because it had never looked that good. And just now I opened up the oven... they even did the oven!!! WOW. I can't wait for them to come back.” – Sally Wood

“We scheduled Pure Clean for a deep clean at a family cottage, and we were so impressed! The staff arrived with a plan and worked together efficiently to clean all the corners and to put a shine on the place. They asked appropriate questions and, more than once, told me they wanted to make us happy and clean it well for us. They certainly did!! I highly recommend this group and will have them back in the future.” – Nancy Crowley Doolittle

“Would highly recommended Pure Clean's cleaning services! They did an awesome job! Definitely will use them again!” – Vanessa Johnston

For more info. about Pure Clean Co. services or to schedule a walk-through and an estimate, call 207-310-7294 or send an email to purecleanco.cory@gmail.com. To see pictures of their immaculate work visit them at www.facebook.com/purecleancoME <

Business Spotlight: APLUS Service

There are many benefits to keeping your vehicle properly cared for and it’s no secret that regular maintenance can extend the life of your car, truck, or SUV and reduce the risk of accidents and breakdowns. This is the goal of APLUS Service, which strives to provide exceptional customer service, competitive pricing, expertise, and quality products.

APLUS Service Center at 299 Roosevelt
Trail in Casco offers an array of 
mechanical services and a complete line
of tires for just about any vehicle.
 COURTESY PHOTO

APLUS is prepared to handle and resolve any type of mechanical problem from its location at 299 Roosevelt Trail in Casco and its ASE-certified technicians work on all types of automobiles and trucks. The business is owned by Andrew Coppersmith and Andy Lane, who also own and operate APLUS Truck Sales and APLUS AutoBody in Windham.

“We do just about everything here,” said Josh McDermott of APLUS Service. “Our customers come to us from throughout Maine, and we do our utmost to ensure their complete satisfaction. We specialize in having the same equipment found at the franchise dealer for those hard to fix jobs as well as a full line of oem parts for your late model diesel Ford, GM and Dodge trucks.”

He said that APLUS Service believes in treating everyone that walks through their door as if they are family and by being open, direct, and honest with customers, they are building a loyal and appreciative customer following.

Mechanical services available at APLUS Service include oil changes, wheel alignments, engine repairs, belt and hose adjustments, cooling system flushes, suspension work, battery and electrical, complete diagnostics, tune-ups, brakes, exhaust, shocks and struts, steering, transmissions, air conditioning, emission leak testing, lift kits, vehicle customizing, preventative maintenance, and much more.

APLUS Service also offers a complete line of tires and tire maintenance services. It is a Maine State Inspection License station and offers a comprehensive and vast selection of wheels.

As a NAPA Auto Care center, customers can be assured that APLUS Service technicians use quality NAPA auto parts.

“We maintain the highest standards to see that our customers receive the best possible work at the best possible price,” McDermott said. “We are also fully transparent and provide open communication with customers about the vehicles we work on.”

The business relocated to Casco from its former location at APLUS Truck Sales on Storm Drive in Windham a year ago when an increasing number of customers taking advantage of their services left them out of space. Now in a larger and clean new facility, APLUS Service can accommodate customers quickly and efficiently with a staff of 15 employees.

“Put simply, we’re out there to take care of our customers,” McDermott said. “Our business takes quality and customer service very seriously.”

He said as a NAPA Auto Care center, APLUS Service follows a strict Code of Ethics so customers will know up front what to expect and as part of this code, the business is committed to perform high-quality diagnostic and repair services at a fair price, using quality NAPA parts; employing ASE-certified technicians in all areas of work performed; being dedicated to customer satisfaction; exercising reasonable care for the customer's property while it is in the shop's possession; providing a system for fair settlement of customer complaints, should they occur; and maintaining the highest standards of the automotive service profession.

Feedback on social media has been outstanding.

“Solid guys! Great company, they care a lot about quality and take great care of their customers.” Nate Tilley

“Recently brought my Ram 3500 to have service done by APLUS and I couldn’t be happier with the quality of service I received. These guys went above and beyond to address the concerns I had. You cannot ask for better.” Brian Brennan

“Friendly service, knowledgeable techs, and a superb reconditioning department. The team here gets it and puts the customer first.” Chet Tetreault

“Can’t say enough great things about you guys! Brought my truck in and you guys brought it in that same day and immediately started working on it to rectify the problem. That type of customer service is what’s kept me coming back to you guys for the past eight years and I don’t see that changing in the future! Thank you!” David Vachon

APLUS Service is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 207-572-4444 or text 207-550-1559. <

Business Spotlight: Junction Bowl and Sidecar Pub

For those in search of fun, great food, and a memorable time, the Junction Bowl and the Sidecar Pub should be your new go-to destinations.

Both Junction Bowl and the Sidecar Pub are located in
Station Square in the heart of Gorham Village at 7 Railroad
Avenue and are becoming go-to destinations for fun,
great food and entertainment for all ages.
COURTESY PHOTO

Located at Station Square in the heart of Gorham Village at 7 Railroad Avenue, both Junction Bowl and Sidecar Pub are owned by Ben Smith and offer an experience not to be missed.

Junction Bowl opened in 2019 and is an entertainment hub featuring a dozen 10-pin bowling lanes, an arcade designed for players of all ages, a large spacious indoor dining room, a cozy outdoor dining area highlighted by live music during the summer and fall months, and a full bar featuring a vast selection of delicious American pub-style food and drink.

Sidecar Pub opened in 2021 and can be found on the top floor of Station Square. Guests can listen to live music every Wednesday through Saturday night, enjoy awesome food and drink specials, or join in on open mic night every Tuesday. Weekly events include specialty wine and whiskey tastings along with a full pub food menu.

Best of all, visitors to the Sidecar Pub will experience its wraparound outdoor deck showcasing a 360-degree scenic view of Gorham and the surrounding area.

There are more than a dozen wine choices available at Sidecar Pub and ever-changing whiskey specials to go with an extensive bourbon selection.

The menu includes more than eight appetizers, salads, burgers, pizza, steak bombs and sandwiches. Main entrees available are fish and chips, a vegetarian farro bowl, macaroni and cheese and Shepherd’s Pie.

The Sidecar Pub is open Tuesday through Thursday from 4 until 10 pm and Friday and Saturday from 4 to 11 p.m. Group reservations and private parties are always welcome.

“Whether it’s a birthday party, office function or any other type of special event, we’ll do our best to accommodate your desired date and any requests you may have to make your party or celebration memorable,” Smith said.

Junction Bowl is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner and features casual indoor dining, outdoor dining by season, a full bar, bowling and arcade and take-out meals are always available.

Each lane at Junction Bowl comes with booth seating, along with full beverage and food service and a personal score keeping tablet containing a variety of games to enhance your bowling experience.

“We have dinosaur ramps for the younger rollers and bumpers can be activated for individual bowlers,” Smith said. “We love to bowl just as much as you and that’s why we do everything that we can to help quench your thirst and hunger while you have fun.”

Other than for kids’ birthday parties, open to any size group, and other large groups and parties of more than 10 people, open bowling is available at Junction Bowl every day on a first come, first serve basis. The menu is diverse and includes pizza, sandwiches, salads, and an array of other tasty items.

Online reviews for both Junction Bowl and Sidecar Pub are exceptional.

“We have been twice. Once for lunch which was great! The second time was for a birthday party. We bowled and ate and brought our own cake and the service was great. and we had so much fun!” Nancy Nielsen-Armstrong

“Had Margarita flight and tacos. Was delicious and the service was fantastic too. Highly recommend this place.” Joyce Allen

“Atmosphere, Service, Entertainment and Fantastic Food!! Definitely the place to be!!” Sandra Quick-Macleod

“Sidecar is a beautiful spot for a glass of wine! Staff are warm and friendly and great at what they do.” Maureen Harriman

For more information about Sidecar Pub, call 207-329-6401 or visit http://www.sidecarwinewhiskey.com/ Find them on Facebook at Sidecar Wine, Whiskey and Tapas Bar.

For more details about Junction Bowl, call 207-222-7600 or visit https://jctbowl.com/ Find them on Facebook at Junction Bowl. <