The all-caps headline in Saveur Magazine this week raises the question: “Is one of America’s Best Bagels in … Lewiston, Maine?” and the story seems to answer with a firm YES.
The glowing feature on Forage Market, which starts with the New York writer’s open skepticism when a friend recommended its bagels, has been in the works for a little while, Forage owner and baker Allen Smith said Thursday.
“We think we do have world-class bagels,” he said. “It was great to have someone else say it for us in such a public space.”
Since the article appeared, sales have doubled at its Lisbon Street location.
“That’s probably mostly local people who have been reminded about us,” Smith said. “But we are bracing for people from further afield this weekend. Bagel aficionados will travel! We’ve already gotten email from as far away as Seattle.”
Haven’t bitten into a Forage bagel yet and looking for a recommendation? Everything bagels are the most popular, according to Smith.
This won’t bite. Yet.
Looking to partake in Taco Bell’s “Steal a Base, Steal a Taco” promotion next Wednesday afternoon and score a free Doritos Locos Taco in honor of the Cleveland Indians’ Francisco Lindor’s stolen base?
It won’t happen on Center Street.
The new Taco Bell in Auburn “will not open until early February of 2017,” according to an email from Taco Bell public relations this week.
So, where to “Steal a Base, Steal a Taco” locally?
“All of the Taco Bell locations in Maine are franchised,” they wrote. “Our corporate restaurants will be participating, and we encourage all franchises to participate.”
May bite, depending on the costume
Happening rain or shine Friday in Lewiston: The Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce’s second annual Downtown Trick-or-Treat Halloween Celebration.
Last year, 700 kids turned out, according to the chamber’s Deborah Carroll, and 1,000 are expected this year now that word’s gotten out.
The event runs from 4 to 6 p.m. and parents will want to make Dufresne Plaza their first stop to score a pumpkin treat bag and a map. Twenty-five businesses are participating along Lisbon Street in addition to a handful that will have booths in the plaza.
Across the river in Auburn, there are three events dubbed Auburn’s Halloween Trifecta. One of those, the United New Auburn Association’s sixth annual Happy Hello-ween, runs on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in New Auburn. Pick up a map of the participating businesses at UNAA’s 3rd Street location, trick or treat and then visit the Boys & Girls Club Haunted House for free.
Mayor Jonathan LaBonte said Hello-ween has regularly drawn more than 1,000 kids. It’s also rain or shine.
Fingers crossed for good weather or boo-tiful umbrellas, barring that.
Quick hits about business comings, goings and happenings. Have a Buzzable tip? Contact staff writer Kathryn Skelton at 689-2844 or kskelton@sunjournal.com.
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