Dear Sun Spots: Could you tell us when the McDonald’s on Lisbon Street was built? Our family is having quite a discussion on it.
Answer: According to an article by former Sun Journal business writer Carol Coultas, the McDonald’s restaurant you are referring to opened in 1966. It’s one of the oldest in the state, but will be closing next year. It will be replaced by a new restaurant that will feature a McCafe with specialty drinks such as lattes and mochas made by espresso machines and trained baristas. According to the article, it will be less than a mile from the older McDonald’s and be situated in the parking lot of the Dollar Tree and Goodwill shopping complex. Owner/operator David Hamilton expects a mid-September groundbreaking, with the store opening before Christmas.
Dear Sun Spots: Can you please help me find Jennifer Duguay? A couple of weeks ago, I found a Concord Coach Lines student ticket lying on the ground in the Great Falls Plaza parking lot in Auburn. This is a $30 student ticket from Boston to Portland and it’s valid until Jan. 29, 2009. I called Concord Coach Lines and other than the name on the ticket, they have no other contact information. If anyone knows a Jennifer that lost her student bus ticket, please call me at 689-2810. – Linda, Lewiston.
Dear Sun Spots: I am trying to find tickets for the East Auburn Baptist Church Christmas spectacular. If anyone might have extras or for some reason they can’t use theirs I would really like to get 3 tickets. Call 740-5326. – Rick, Lewiston.
Dear Sun Spots: On Saturday, Nov. 22, I volunteered at Shaw’s Supermarket to support Stuff a Bus donations that benefit St. Mary’s Food Pantry. A woman entered Shaw’s and gave us $20. While exiting Shaw’s she told us that she had won some money and wanted to share her good fortune with us. She gave us an additional $100. That $120 gift enabled St. Mary’s Food Pantry to purchase $1,500 worth of food. Every dollar received is worth $12.50 to the Food Pantry.
We do not know her, but we want to thank her and let her know that her generous gift will assist many people less fortunate this holiday season. – A St. Mary’s volunteer, Lewiston.
Dear Sun Spots: On April 2, I purchased a book from a publishing company in New York. The book was returned Aug. 22. Their ad guaranteed a prompt refund if not satisfied.
When a month had elapsed without a response I wrote and asked for my refund. I furnished copies of both sides of my canceled check. After another month with no reply, I sent a second letter. Still no reply.
I would greatly appreciate Sun Spots’ intervention regarding this matter. – Disgruntled Customer, Auburn.
Answer: Unfortunately, Sun Spots is afraid we do not have good news for you. A search of this company online led us to numerous complaints against the company. The Better Business Bureau notes that this business has an unsatisfactory record with the bureau, because “there is a pattern of complaints, and the business has not corrected the underlying reason for the complaints.”
The bureau has also contacted them by phone and mail on several occasions regarding its complaint history. They noted that the firm has responded to some complaints.
Since the business is located in New York, the state’s Consumer Protection Board can work as a mediator to assist in resolving the situation. We spoke with them and they said that there were only a few complaints against this company and they were all resolved.
You can request assistance by calling (518) 474-8583, online at www.consumer.state.ny.us/complaint.htm or mail your request to New York State Consumer Protection Board, 5 Empire State Plaza, Suite 2101, Albany, New York 12223.
Dear Sun Spots: I am trying to find someone who repairs baseball hats. The plastic hat sizer is broken and I want to fix it. The hat was given to me when I returned from The Persian Gulf War. Thanks. – No Name, Lisbon Falls.
This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Advice section under Opinion on the left-hand corner of your computer screen. In addition, you can e-mail your inquiries to sunspots@sunjournal.com.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
