New Business Expansion In Caribou!

The convenience store has been in business since 1965 and has undergone some major renovations in the past couple of years, including the recent addition of Caribou’s  Access 89 Bar & Grill.

If you travel Route 89 between Caribou and Limestone, you no doubt are familiar with Dodo’s Market.

Entrepreneur Paul Morgan, who owns Dodo’s Market, and now Access 89 Bar & Grill, has invested considerable time and capital into transforming the former redemption Center into a full-service bar and grill.

Morgan said he saw an opportunity for further expansion since purchasing Dodo’s in 2016.

Morgan said,

“The food service offered in the store has steadily increased over time. That fact along with the location of the store being on the main byway to the Loring Commerce Centre, where approximately 800 people travel to and work every day, it seemed to be a good business risk.”

Access 89 Bar and Grill has a total maximum capacity of 100 guests. Regular hours are from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday. Thursday through Saturday are extended hours from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. The soft opening was Saturday, Jan. 27.

“This expansion has been in the works for well over one year,” he added. “I wanted to make sure we took our time and did things perfectly. Experienced employees have been hired and we are all eager to serve the public at our new establishment.”

In addition to the food offered inside the store, Access 89 Bar and Grill is going to offer a full American Pub Style menu complete with a full-service bar.

Dodo’s Market was initially constructed in 1965 and has been in operation ever since then. This is the first time the location will have a sit-down restaurant and bar.

The location now contains three separate businesses including Dodo’s Market LLC (Convenience Store), Morgan’s Redemption Center and now Access 89 Bar and Grill.

Morgan stated, “I’m always trying to improve. With the addition of the bar and grill, I’m looking to give customers exactly what they want all at one location.”

When considering different avenues to help fund the expansion, Morgan turned to NMDC’s Business Finance Department to access Caribou Economic Growth Council funding.

He worked closely with all members of the department, including both loan officers and the Small Business Development Center Director, Josh Nadeau.

“Paul is a worker, one of the hardest worker’s I know,” said Nadeau. “When he approached NMDC for help with this new idea I was glad to be part of the team that helped him establish another great business that added another 6 jobs to our local economy.”

Ultimately, NMDC used funds from Caribou Economic Growth Council to help fund the project at a competitive interest rate and terms.