Downtown retailer savors the resurgence of Lisbon Street.
LEWISTON – Paul Poliquin of Paul’s Clothing is very pleased about one of his newest customers.
A representative from Oxford Networks – Poliquin’s soon-to-be neighbor on Lisbon Street – came into his specialty clothes store to set up an account.
The telecommunications company’s desire to have an account to buy work boots and work wear represents more than just extra business. Poliquin feels it also validates the work he did for 10 years as a city councilor trying to improve the downtown.
“I used to preach ‘We have to do something with the gateway’ every single year I was on the council,” said Poliquin, who served from 1985 to 1995. Coupled with work he did with several downtown development groups, Poliquin was one of many community activists who helped to pave the way for the $20 million Oxford Networks project under construction on Lisbon Street’s east end.
A lifelong Lewiston resident, Poliquin is willing to put his money where his mouth is. He opened Paul’s Clothing in 1992 after working for other downtown retailers for 20 years. In 2000, he bought the Jacques Cartier block, which houses the store and 11 other tenants, because he wanted to guarantee his downtown location.
It’s been a very successful operation.
Although he declined to put a dollar figure on sales, Poliquin said he has recorded a 20 percent increase in sales for each of the past three years. A big portion of those sales has been in the Carhartt line of industrial work clothes. Poliquin’s success earned him a visit from Carhartt President Mark Valade recently, who took the time to pick Poliquin’s brain about new lines and products.
“When an owner from a large company like Carhartt comes here and thanks you for your business, it means he values my opinion,” said Poliquin. “That means a lot to me.”
Poliquin believes his success lies in his great product lines and customer service. Among his local commercial clients are Tambrands, Industrial Roofing, Cote Crane, Thayer Corp. and K&K Construction. Commercial accounts make up about 85 percent of Poliquin’s business.
“They are my bread and butter,” he said.
The store carries 75 styles of work boots as well as Carhartt and Dickie clothing lines.
It also offers free alterations (usually available the same day), embroiders on site and pays for shipping no matter how big the order.
Customer service is something he learned from his mentor, George Goldberg, who ran Roger’s Jewelry on Lisbon Street for years. Poliquin got a job with Goldberg right after graduation in 1972, starting in receiving and working his way up to management. With 10 other downtown jewelry stores, competition was stiff and customer service was a priority.
“George trained me in this business,” said Poliquin. Among his lessons: “You must be professional at all times and give customers good service.
“That’s what gives you an edge against the big-box stores.”
Poliquin is thrilled to see the revival of downtown Lewiston. The 8th District Court and Oxford Networks projects have created energy and optimism downtown. Poliquin said many downtown businesses are sprucing up their properties, and he’s no exception.
He plans to restore the facade of his block to its original brickwork, eliminating the smoked-glass exterior on his store and the white-pebble facade on the international food store next door. He’ll also replace all 76 windows on the three-story block.
“I’m prouder than I’ve ever been about the downtown,” he said. “I saw it as a retail center, I saw the businesses leave and now I see our new image.
“It’s the best possible time for me to be in business.”
ccoultas@sunjournal.com
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