Friday, July 26, 2024

Business Spotlight: Blue Lobster Cannabis

In the heart of the Sebago Lakes Region, Blue Lobster Cannabis offers outstanding and affordable cannabis products and a different type of recreational cannabis experience for its customers ages 21 and over.

Blue Lobster Cannabis, 200 Roosevelt Trail
in Casco, is led by, from left, owner Hayden
Stokes, general manager Paul Lopiparo,
and owner Zach Dolgos. It offers outstanding
and affordable cannabis products and a 
different type of recreational cannabis
experience for its customers ages 21
and over. SUBMITTED PHOTO 
From its convenient location at 200 Roosevelt Trail in Casco, Blue Lobster Cannabis is owner-operated and dedicated to making customers feel comfortable each time they visit.

“This is a store by locals, for locals,” said Blue Lobster co-owner Hayden Stokes. “Our goals are to provide our customers with quality cannabis products at the fairest price possible, and deliver personal service from a caring and experienced staff.”

“We accomplish this through several means, one being that we include the state’s 10 percent sales tax in our pricing already, which is different than the majority of rec stores. We also offer discounts to medical card holders, veterans and locals,” Stokes said.

Although Blue Lobster Cannabis has only been open since December 2023, Stokes and his business partner, Zach Dolgos, have several years of experience in the Maine cannabis industry. They have been growing medical cannabis since 2018 under The Happy Canary brand and are trying to bring a more medical-like pricing structure into the recreational cannabis market. Currently, their flower can only be found in other medical caregiver dispensaries that carry craft and organic products, and eventually they plan to switch some of their cultivation over to adult-use to be able to feature some of their own flower in Blue Lobster.

“We spend time building good relationships with quality Maine suppliers, so we are able to offer customers locally produced products at a very competitive price,” Stokes said. We are owner-operated, which is becoming much less common in this industry, and we are very passionate about the products we carry.”

According to Stokes, they don’t just sell these products, they also use them frequently and are confident in the quality of every product they carry for this reason.

“It may not seem like a big deal, but many shops are operated by people who do not use the product, and this can certainly create a divide between the business and its customers,” he said. “We are also very particular about the products we carry and the vendors we work with. We prefer smaller-scale craft producers and even a few organic ones which are few and far between in the local cannabis market. We follow organic growing methods ourselves with our medical Happy Canary brand. We are working with the town to eventually convert part of our cultivation over to adult-use so that we can carry some of our own products as well. We plan to always keep a wide variety of other growers in our store regardless.”

This summer, Blue Lobster Cannabis has been welcoming the local community through “Dank Fest” celebrations (“dank” is industry jargon for high quality cannabis). “We have held outdoor parties with free food trucks, barbeque, homemade ice cream and local music, and we ask our vendors to join us to meet our customers and celebrate warm weather in Casco,” said Dolgos. “It’s a great way for anyone who might be cannabis-curious to get to know us, meet our suppliers and get free fried dough.”

Visitors to Blue Lobster Cannabis will quickly notice its larger-than-usual selection and lower-than-usual prices.

“We have received a lot of feedback about these two aspects specifically,” Stokes said. “We also put a lot of effort and resources into our physical store, doing almost all of the work ourselves. People really appreciate the environment we have created in the store, from the look and smell of it, to the products on the shelves. We also have some incredible mural artwork by Mike Rich out of Portland that really helps to draw in customers. The quality products, personal friendly service, and pricing keep them coming back.”

Online and social media reviews for Blue Lobster Cannabis are nothing short of exceptional.

“The best deals and best quality in the area! The staff is amazing! My favorite shop!” Rachel G.

“Great place - the staff is wonderful and very knowledgeable.” Julie P.

“What an incredible place and staff. Staff was incredibly helpful in helping me choose the proper flower for what I was looking for.” George M.

To learn more about Blue Lobster Cannabis, visit https://www.bluelobstercannabis.com/ or call 207-655-6001. Find them on Facebook under Blue Lobster Cannabis. <

Friday, July 19, 2024

Business Spotlight: Maine Power Wash Pros

The experts at Maine Power Wash Pros believe keeping the exterior of a home clean is essential in retaining its value and appearance and therefore go the extra mile on behalf of their customers and earn their continued support and loyalty.

Maine Power Wash Pros proven results are clear in this
before and after photo of a home's roof wash.
COURTESY PHOTO 
Maine Power Wash Pros offers low-pressure house washing, cement cleaning/gum removal, roof cleaning, composite deck cleaning, condo/apartment building washing and commercial building washing in the Lakes Region and throughout Southern, Central and Midcoast Maine.

“The best thing about our business is our customers. We have hundreds of repeat customers that come back time and time again. We relate that to clear expectations and incredible results,” said Brian Condon, Maine Power Wash Pros co-owner. “We think the world of the people that we have working with us. They take real pride in what they do and work very hard to deliver a great service to our customers. We are very careful of the resident’s homes, and we leave the property in better shape than when we arrive.”

Condon said each Maine Power Wash Pros employee is devoted to setting and exceeding expectations.

“We’re very prepared for what we do and any situation we may encounter be it cleaning homes, business, condos or restaurants,” Condon said.

Maine Power Wash Pros was formed when owners Mike Morin and Brian Condon found a genuine need for this type of business existed in Maine and they set out to become the best company providing this type of service locally. They continuously take classes and attend seminars to be sure they are up to date with the latest skills so they can offer the best results for their customers.

“We put in a lot of time and energy before every wash.” Condon said. “We stand behind our work and don’t just take our word for it. Look at the hundreds of testimonials from our customers we’ve posted on our website from the last 10 years.”

Featuring highly effective low-pressure house washing and biodegradable products, Maine Power Wash Pros thrives on delivering quality and overall service. Their washing methods doesn’t just clean, but also disinfects surfaces.

According to Condon, Maine Power Wash Pros provides restored beauty and curb appeal of residential or commercial property with safe, effective and affordable workmanship.

“You can change your home’s appearance in a single day,” he said. “Power washing is an effective option for a wide variety of surfaces, including concrete, brick, roofs, wood decking, painted and all types of siding. It removes mold and mildew, dirt and grime for a truly clean wash that’s hard to accomplish through other means.”

Condon said that Maine Power Wash Pros guarantees roof cleaning for three years and offers free estimates. Their roof cleaning treatments are effective for removing streaks, lichen, and mold.

“Our no-pressure roof cleaning is a great option,” he said “Your satisfaction is guaranteed, and senior discounts are available. We are fully insured and professionally trained and certified. Power washing can help prolong the life of a home’s exterior surface and a power wash completed by Maine Power Wash Pros can keep all home surfaces in great shape. Our soft wash method allows us to wash with low pressure, which will make your home free of mold, mildew, bugs, and dirt. Once the process is complete, your home will be spotless! As always, we provide a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.”

The company’s main service is cleaning vinyl siding, which is about 95 percent of their business, and the rest is cleaning painted houses.

By visiting their website, you can find numerous positive customer reviews such as these:

“Professional and courteous. Took extra care to protect plants and rinse ground because we have kids and pets.” Sarah F.

“It would take my husband and me hours to power wash the house and detached garage. Your guys complete the job in an hour and the result is so much better than we could ever achieve.” Marianne W.

“The young men were here on time. They were very pleasant and courteous. The house looks like it did 20 years ago. We are very happy with the results!” Charles C.

To receive a fast, no-obligation estimate or for more information, call 207-320-1801 or visit their website at www.mainepowerwashpros.com. <

Friday, July 12, 2024

Business Spotlight: Vitality Room A Harmonic Egg Location

History has taught us that light heals, sound heals, sacred geometry heals, energy heals, love heals,
color heals, and community heals. We are light and sound beings, so why not heal our bodies, minds, and souls with light and sound?!

Michelle Buck is a Windham resident
and founder/CEO of Vitality Room.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 
Now you can, thanks to Vitality Room in Windham which is home to the Lake Region’s only Harmonic Egg® / Ellipse®!

By combining multiple ancient practices into one service, The Harmonic Egg® uses a combination of light, sound, and vibration therapy to create a life-changing sensory experience. This private wooden resonant pod envelopes guests in a relaxing zero-gravity chair and uses the combined frequencies which are customized to your intentions.

The Harmonic Egg® allows you to tap into your body’s own repairing energy and amplifies the positive signals through your body, while releasing the negative. It unblocks and rebalances your body’s life energy to promote mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual healing and wellness.

Vitality Room came together when the founder, Michelle Buck, accepted that her “successful” career was working against her, appearing successful on the outside but dying and screaming for help on the inside. Her nervous system couldn’t keep up with the fast pace of corporate demands, marketing trends, digital cookies, AI, increasing expectations, and the pure chaos we’ve all experienced in the past 4 years.

On a journey seeking a better lifestyle, she stumbled upon a Harmonic Egg®. Her first experience triggered a mental and emotional shift that quite literally changed her life. Weeks later, she went to work researching what it would take to bring one of these magical energy pods to Windham.

What does an Ellipse® appointment look like at Vitality Room?

1. Enjoy a hot cup of herbal tea while you complete your intake forms in the Vitality Lounge.

2. Get vulnerable and, most importantly, be heard during your comprehensive consultation.

3. Your first session will always include an autonomic nervous system reset. This aims to remove fight or flight so your body can access its natural healing abilities.

4. Relax in the zero-gravity chair inside of the Ellipse® for 50 minutes. Includes 40 minutes of consciously created music followed by 10 minutes of silence to begin nervous system integration.

5. Finally, replenish with an electrolyte beverage in the Lounge with a brief post-session discussion and after-care instructions.

Since opening in January, Vitality Room has been a part of numerous transformations. They’ve witnessed clients improve or completely heal from crippling anxiety, frequent headaches, alcohol addiction, sexual abuse trauma, childhood trauma, self-hatred, ringing in ears, depression, long-covid symptoms, grief, toxic overload, career decisions, ability to govern reactions, move through divorce, autism, anger, Parkinson’s symptoms, Lyme symptoms, weight control issues, and so much more.

In addition to a most unique whole-body service, Vitality Room also offers a few items available for purchase to enhance your wellness journey at home. They carry Superieur Electrolytes, Therapeutic Music, Raw Silk Garshana Gloves for Dry Brushing, BioRay’s NDF Heavy Metal Detox Formula, Silver Biotics Immune Support Oral Spray, and Gail Lynn’s book “Unlocking the Ancient Secrets to Healing. Why Science is Looking to the Past for the Future of Medicine.” Gail Lynn is also the inventor of the Harmonic Egg®.

New products and services are coming soon. Check their FB page and website for updates. If you have an idea of a product or service that you can’t seem to get anywhere around here, and would like to see it come to Windham, please let them know through their contact us form on their website: www.Vitality-Room.com

In celebration of 6 months helping others become the best versions of themselves, Vitality Room is hosting an open house on Friday, July 19. The event is free of charge.

Community members will have the opportunity to experience the Ellipse® with a FREE 10-minute demo. Gifts, giveaways, refreshments, and deep discounts will be available to all who attend.

They’ll begin with a Ribbon Cutting from the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce at 8 a.m. and the center will remain open to the public until 6 p.m. No appointments necessary.

Vitality Room is located in the same building as Mullen’s Driving School at 104 Tandberg Trail in Windham. Free Ellipse demos on July 19 on a first-come first-serve basis and there is no age restriction.

Experience the newfound mystery of Ancient Medicine Practices for your Body, Mind, and Spirit on Friday, July 19 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Vitality Room.

Can’t make it on Friday, July 19th? Schedule your private session at www.Vitality-Room.com The center is open from Tuesday – Saturday; 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Article written by Michelle Buck, Windham Resident, Founder, and CEO of Vitality Room.

Friday, July 5, 2024

Business Spotlight: The Outpost Scoop Shoppe

Looking for a cool treat to beat the summer heat? The Outpost Scoop Shoppe, a new ice cream shop in Standish, is sure to have something to satisfy you. This quaint ice cream shop, situated near the water with a spacious lawn and friendly staff offers a delightful escape from the ordinary ice cream shop experience.  They invite customers to indulge in a world of creamy, sweet perfection where creative flavor combinations will please any palette.

The Outpost Scoop Shoppe at 380 Pequawket Trail in 
Standish invites customers to indulge in a world of
creamy frozen delights that are unique and innovative.
SUBMITTED PHOTOS    
Since opening its doors in May, The Outpost Scoop Shoppe located at 380 Pequawket Trail has garnered a loyal following, thanks to its commitment to quality and service.  The building formerly known as the Inlet was acquired in January 2023 by the Decrow family and is now home to The Outpost Scoop Shoppe and an independently owned family restaurant.

While the Scoop Shoppe is a family-owned business, Abigail Decrow’s passion and inspiration are what make this business thrive. Abigail’s enthusiasm for community engagement is evident in every aspect of their ice cream business.

“The Outpost Scoop Shoppe prides itself in offering quality ice cream and supreme service. Our weekly specials are unique and keep our menu fresh.” Decrow said. “We introduced a few new products to the local market, including ice cream nachos, flights, and specialty stackers also known as parfaits. Some of our unique specials have recently been picked up by other local ice cream shops.”

Abigail’s journey began in a little ice cream shop in Falmouth who also served Shain’s of Maine and Hershey. She was mentored by veteran ice cream shop owners and that experience is the foundation of her operation model today. Her time in a local Windham ice cream shop allowed her to explore her creativity.

At The Outpost Scoop Shoppe customers will find a kaleidoscope of many different flavors of ice cream produced both locally and nationally, best sellers, and in both hard and soft-serve options. The menu which features many original combinations is a testament to Decrow’s dedication to innovation and creativity.

Specialty drinks offered by The Outpost Scoop Shoppe include energy surges, frozen lemonade, nor’easters, milkshakes, frappes, floats, spritzers, freezes, and ice cream sodas.

Customers can try out tempting tasty sundae flavors such as Granny D's Whoopie Pie, Watchic Wonder, or Ultimate Brownie Sundae. Customers don’t need to be limited by the menu options, they can also branch out and create their own sundaes. They even offer pup cups topped with a doggy biscuit for a tasty refreshment for your furry friends.

“If you have dietary restrictions, we have you covered. We offer vegan, dairy-free, low fat low sugar yogurts, and no-sugar added ice cream options,” Decrow said. “We have over six different dairy-free options and an array of frozen energy drinks and specialty drinks. Our prices are competitive, our service is exceptional, and our specials are worth driving past your regular ice cream spot to give us a try.”

The Outpost’s specialty stacker flavors include Oreo Bliss, Bass Master or Campfire or you can build your own unique creations. The Outpost Scoop Shoppe prides itself in serving weekly exclusive specials which are advertised on their social media channels - try them before they sell out. And if you have not tried their ice cream nachos yet, you are missing out on an exceptional delicious treat you won’t find anywhere else.

In the future, Decrow plans to expand the business to include ice cream cakes, pies and other baked goods. She would also like to take her business on the road in an ice cream truck for birthday parties and special event catering.

The list of regulars is growing by the day and their passion for creating memorable moments is evident in every scoop they serve.

Online reviews are extraordinary.

“We’ve stopped in three times now. The sundaes are amazing, waffle cones were great, and flavor/topping selections are fantastic!! Prices are amazing and will keep us coming back." ~ Heather Marx    

“Dairy free vegan options. I got the flight, and all six flavors were amazing. I have a lot of food allergies. and this was the first time in many, many years I was able to enjoy ice cream.” ~ Aimee Esty

 In a world where life can sometimes be overwhelming, The Outpost Scoop Shoppe offers a simple, yet profound reminder: sometimes, all you need is a sweet treat and a smile. Ice cream solves everything!

Take a trip over to The Outpost Scoop Shoppe and take the trip often. They offer loyalty cards to earn free ice cream and are open daily Noon to 9 p.m. through Labor Day. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok under the handle OutpostScoopShoppe to keep up with the latest creations and specials or visit their website at: www.outpostscoopshoppe.com. <