Business Spotlight: North Windham Veterinary Hospital

The staff at North Windham Veterinary Hospital believe that providing kind and gentle medical care for pets and offering superb and friendly service for clients results in a thriving practice.

North Windham Veterinary Hospital offers compassionate
treatment and exceptional veterinary care including surgery,
dental services, spay and neuters, and sick pet exams in a 
clean and spacious 6,000-square-foot facility.
COURTESY PHOTO   

Located at 1 Badger Run in Windham, North Windham Veterinary Hospital has been delivering exceptional veterinary care for decades and moved into their 6,000-square-foot facility in 2007. They offer veterinary general practice services including annual exams, vaccines, and bloodwork as well as sick pet exams. The practice also provides surgical services, abdominal and cardiac ultrasounds, x-rays, and dental services.

Featuring competitive pricing and an explanation of why each service is being provided, they perform an array of services including spay and neuters, mass removals, biopsies and everything from a new pet’s first checkup through to their golden years. Visitors will find a spacious reception area; six examination rooms; an intensive care unit; an isolation ward; an operating room; a dentistry suite; a radiography room; and separate canine and feline wards.

“We genuinely care about your pets, and we have a building full of compassionate and loving staff members with diverse veterinary backgrounds that will only offer the best possible care for your pets,” said Sarah LaFore, Practice Manager. “We offer caring and compassionate doctors that take the time to understand and explain the situation with the pet. We are also able to see exotics, such as reptiles and birds, as well as pocket pets like rabbits and hamsters.”

She said the most challenging aspect of what the staff of North Windham Veterinary Hospital does is to ensure that every client who walks through their door feels like they have been listened to and heard.

“We try in every instance to explain what we are doing and why we are suggesting the diagnostics service be performed,” LaFore said. “We want our clients to know that we know times are tough financially, and we will work to provide the best care within each budget. In the event we receive a review that is less than 5 stars, we always respond and want to understand what we could be doing better. We believe it takes a strong team to uphold the gold standard for veterinary medicine.”

Hours are convenient and open from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. with new patients always welcome.

According to LaFore, what makes North Windham Veterinary Hospital stand out from competitors is the level of expertise, professionalism, and compassion shown by staff members, and working together as a team.

“Our wellness examinations provide an excellent opportunity for us to conduct a thorough physical examination and develop a health profile for your pet. This information will help us identify medical problems and any other issues that can affect your pet’s health and quality of life,” she said. “We are so good with kittens and puppies and exceptional at end-of-life care.”

North Windham Veterinary Hospital also offers the helpful free Pawlicy Advisory service to assist clients in finding a pet insurance policy based upon a pet’s age, location, and breed and to compare top pet insurance brands instantly.
 
Reviews posted online continue to be outstanding. 

“We just moved to the area, and this was the best veterinary clinic we have ever been to. So happy with our choice!” Mary D.

“Everyone at the North Windham vet loves my dogs and cat seemingly as much as I do. Very professional. Everything is so clean and you never feel too close to another family. Feel great going there and dogs like it too!” Karen L.

“I have been using this Veterinary Center for the past 25 years with all of my cats. I can honestly say they are the best around, so caring, transparent about the cost and gives you options based on cost, honest caregivers. We recently had to euthanize our cat, and the experience was so good, peaceful, and they actually sent me a sympathy card with handwritten personalized messages from the vet as well as all of the vet techs – way above and beyond.” Angela L.

To learn more about North Windham Veterinary Hospital or to make an appointment, visit nwindhamvet.com/ or call 207-892-8953. Find them on Facebook and Instagram under northwindhamvet. <

Business Spotlight: Pins and Needles Tattoo

Art and creativity have always inspired Mike Elie, and eventually those passions led him to tattooing and the opening of Pins and Needles Tattoo, a well-known body art studio that has served Southern Maine for more than two decades.

Longtime tattoo artists Mike Elie has brought his successful
Pins and Needles Tattoo studio to Windham offering quality
body art at affordable pricing. SUBMITTED PHOTO 

Located at 608A Roosevelt Trail in Windham, Pins and Needles is owned by Elie and specializes in tattoos of all styles. After operating a successful studio in Portland for more than 20 years, Elie brought his business and loyal following to Windham a few months ago and is looking forward to becoming part of the local community while welcoming new clients.

The new studio offers a clean and comfortable setting where clients can work with experienced artists to create custom body art at fair prices.

For Elie, tattooing is about much more than putting artwork on skin. Tattoos often carry stories with them. They can commemorate loved ones, celebrate milestones, represent relationships, mark accomplishments or serve as reminders of experiences that changed someone's life. Others simply allow people to permanently display artwork that reflects who they are.

Being trusted to create something with that kind of permanence is one of the things Elie appreciates most about his profession. With more than 26 years of experience, he has created countless tattoos and understands that even a seemingly simple design can have a much deeper meaning to the person receiving it. He enjoys knowing that long after someone leaves the studio, the artwork and the memory connected to it remain with them.

“For me, the best thing about what I do is seeing the artwork on people walking around,” Elie said. “It is everything.”

His own journey into tattooing began with art and an unexpected visit to a tattoo studio.

“I was doing painting and working in construction,” he said. “I visited a tattoo shop in Madison, Connecticut and fell in love with it.”

Elie later met and was mentored by a veteran tattoo artist in Connecticut who encouraged him to dedicate his future to creating body art. What began as an interest developed into a career that has allowed him to combine artistic creativity with the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life.

The studio regularly features tattoo designs on social media with upfront pricing and flash sales, while artists can also work with customers to turn their own ideas into custom pieces.

According to Elie, his greatest challenge is helping a customer get a tattoo in a timely manner. Sometimes a client arrives knowing exactly what they want. Other times, they may have only an idea, memory or feeling they hope the artist can translate into an image.

“Sometimes people come in with no reference,” Elie said. “We’ll need to ask them what they’re looking to achieve. We work with them to get the designs just how they imagined.” 

That process is important because unlike other forms of artwork, a tattoo becomes part of the person wearing it. Elie and his staff take time to help clients feel comfortable, whether they are sitting for their first tattoo or adding another piece to an extensive collection.

Elie advises anyone considering a tattoo to spend time looking at an artist’s previous work, thinking carefully about the design and choosing the artistic style that fits what they envision.

Elie said that tattooing itself has also changed considerably during his career.

“The ink and the machines have changed and the quality has improved,” Elie said. “Inks used to be made from questionable pigments. Now 90 percent of them are FDA-approved.”

Through the years, the heart of the profession remains the same for Elie. Every tattoo begins with an idea and ends with something a person can carry for the rest of their life. There is satisfaction not only in creating the artwork, but in knowing he has been entrusted with a small piece of someone’s story.

Through decades of experience and emphasizing the quality of his workmanship, Pins and Needles continues to earn top reviews.

“These guys made us feel right at home from the very minute we walked through the door. They were all super friendly and so patient with us and the many others that came in while we were there. We had our knife holding dinosaurs done by Jimmy. He did great work. I think this might be our new shop for our yearly couples’ tattoo.” Renee Paine

“Today was my first time visiting the shop for one of their flash events and needless to say, I was very impressed. I’ve been to a lot of shops and different artists and I have to say Mike and the staff that I met today were extremely friendly, their prices are reasonable and won’t break your bank, quick but quality work, and a super clean environment. I will be going back next week for another!” Arie Pom

“My husband and I just got some flash tattoos done by Big Mike. He was amazing. Very personable, efficient, and incredible line work. Free handed a tattoo on my husband’s finger and we couldn't be happier with the outcome. We will be coming back for all our tattoos!” Shelby Stanhope

Pins and Needles Tattoo is open from noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome every day but on Wednesday, which is by appointment only. To learn more, call or text 207-774-8282 or find them on Facebook under Pins and Needles. If you have a design in mind, you can send them a message with it and they can give you a price up front. <

Business Spotlight: Zbon Fitness

Convenience and providing each participant with a clean and fun community atmosphere is the goal of Zbon Fitness and the self-service gym helps you to prioritize your wellness, so every other part of your life benefits.

Zach Bonnevie, who owns and operates
Zbon Fitness in Raymond, is shown
with his wife Seve Deery-DeRaps.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

Located in Raymond at 1233 Roosevelt Trail, Zbon Fitness was founded in 2020 and is owned and operated by Zach Bonnevie. It is part of a growing business with locations in Turner, Yarmouth, Poland, South Paris, Lewiston, Warren, Brewer, Wiscasset and now Raymond. It offers 24/7 access to its gyms across the state, along with in-person and online personal training, a nutrition app and workout programs.

Zbon Fitness provides free weights, cable and plate loaded machines, cardio, clothing and supplements. Participants can join today online and get access instantly.

“The most significant aspect of Zbon Fitness is the community we’ve built. We’re a locally owned, Maine-grown company, and we work hard to make fitness approachable for everyone, regardless of their age, experience, or fitness level,” Bonnevie said. “What distinguishes us is that we combine the convenience of 24/7 access and multiple locations with the personal atmosphere of a neighborhood gym. We know our members, listen to their feedback, and continually reinvest in our facilities and communities. Even as we’ve grown, we’ve remained focused on providing a welcoming, comfortable environment where people genuinely feel like they belong.”

According to Bonnevie, pricing for Zbon Fitness is highly competitive, especially when you consider the value included.

“Members receive 24/7 access, the ability to use all nine locations, quality equipment, convenience, and a welcoming environment without the overcrowded feel of many larger gyms,” he said. “We offer several membership options for individuals, couples, families, students, seniors, teachers, and members of the military. People can choose a plan that best fits their budget.”

Bonnevie has always had a passion for health and fitness for as long as he can remember.

“Growing up as an athlete showed me the positive impact that exercise can have on both physical and mental health,” he said. “I’ve also always found purpose in helping others, so personal training felt like the perfect path for me. That passion eventually grew into opening Zbon Fitness. I’m incredibly grateful to do what I love and to provide communities across Maine with convenient, 24/7 access to fitness while helping create healthier communities.”

He says that Zbon Fitness is a local business built around helping people feel comfortable, supported and confident in the gym.

“You don't have to already be in shape or know exactly what you are doing to belong here,” Bonnevie said. “Whether someone is stepping into a gym for the first time or has been training for years, our goal is to provide a welcoming environment where they can improve their health, build lasting habits and feel like part of a community. Our gyms are open 24/7, offer everything members need for a great workout, and have a laid-back atmosphere without the intimidation that can come with larger fitness centers. We want people to walk in, feel welcome, and enjoy coming back.”

Visitors to Zbon Fitness will find clean, well-maintained facilities, quality equipment, 24/7 access, and knowledgeable personal trainers who genuinely care about helping members. The best measure of our quality is the feedback we receive from the people who use our gyms every day.

Reviews posted online consistently mention the cleanliness of Zbon facilities, the convenience of being open around the clock, the variety and quality of its equipment, and their welcoming atmosphere.

“Very convenient, 24-hour access, great equipment and never have to wait for machines." Ian C.

"Nothing but great things to say about this place! I usually struggle going to the gym as I have anxiety about going but most nights when I work out, I've had the place to myself. Not intimidating at all and has everything you need. Great location, 24/7 access, friendly staff and awesome personal trainers." Ashley K.

"Clean set up. Has all the equipment you need. The best part is it's open 24/7. It's a great local gym to support." Jack N.

Bonnevie said that the goal of Zbon Fitness is to provide more than just a place to exercise.

“We want every member to have a dependable, comfortable, and supportive place where they can work toward becoming their best,” he said.

To learn more about Zbon Fitness, visit zbonfitness.com or call or text 207-931-5140. Find them on Facebook under Zbon Fitness-Raymond. <