Tattoo artist finds home on Main Street
ELLSWORTH After a year-long absence, the buzz is back on Main Street.
A spirit of renewal is in the air. Empty storefronts bustle with activity. Artful window displays are going up on both sides of the street.
Born and raised in Ellsworth, Jaime Parent is part of the post-pandemic recharge and new beginnings happening in the city’s historic shopping district.
The tattoo artist has departed State Street and taken up residence fittingly under the stylish Luchini Building’s pink arches at 112 Main St. Across the street, a whirlwind of activity has been taking place at 97 Main, where Poppy & Polka Dot maven Amanda Beals has moved from farther down the street.
New downtown businesses springing up
ELLSWORTH After a long pandemic winter, spring is inching its way into Ellsworth’s downtown streets. Flowers may not yet be blooming apart from inside The Bud Connection, but merchants are betting on a booming business climate as Memorial Day nears.
By the time the traditional opening of the tourist season arrives, downtown will look a little different and noticeably busier thanks to several new businesses opening or relocating to downtown streets.
For many, an architectural anchor of Main Street is the Beals buildings that sat empty for months but are now the future homes of Poppy & Polka Dot Boutique and Kiddo by Toko. Both businesses are renovating the interiors, with Poppy & Polka Dot planning to move in toward the end of April. New business Kiddo by Toko will open later, depending on how long renovations take, owner Linda van der Does said.