Photo / Courtesy Upward Management
Joe Christopher greets a customer at his third Mainely Provisions.
Updated: December 23, 2024
Newly acquired Westbrook market renovated, reflagged under Mainely Provisions name
Photo / Courtesy Upward Management
A third Mainely Provisions, this one in Westbrook, cut the ribbon last Friday.
A longtime entrepreneur with businesses in outdoor recreation and hospitality added a third grocery store to his portfolio with the acquisition of 110 New Gorham Road in Westbrook.
Mainely Provisions, led by Joe Christopher, bought the store, formerly known as Digby’s, for $410,000. The property listed for $399,000.
Juliana Tonini of EME Commercial Real Estate and Frank Curren of Harborview Properties brokered the transaction.
Digby’s was a sub shop and convenience store who owners operated there for 26 years and were ready to sell, said Tonini.
Built in 1950, the main floor is 2,392 square feet. There’s an unfinished attic of 828 square feet, parking for up to 20 vehicles and an 11-door walk-in soda and beer cooler.
The location is just outside the center of Westbrook.
Christopher, who has a range of business holdings, owns Mainely Provisions. A Brunswick native, Christopher became a whitewater raft guide in his early 20s, but in recent years has branched into food-related retail.
In 1997, he started a rafting business, Three Rivers Whitewater in West Forks, a plantation in Somerset County. Subsequent enterprises have included a skydiving and rafting outfit in Millinocket, a hotel in the Forks called Inn By the River, and the Sugarloaf Inn in Carrabassett Valley.
He co-founded Upward Management Group, which in 2019 took on its first venture in Portland with the re-opening of the historic $3 Deweys.
Photo / Courtesy Upward Management
The store has a coffee bar set up with Maine roaster Carrabassett Coffee.
Upward continued to expand its portfolio, including the addition of stores under the name Mainely Provisions.
In 2019, Christopher bought a grocery and convenience store in Kingfield, near Sugarloaf Mountain and renamed the business Mainely Provisions.
In 2023, Christopher bought the Bethel Shop 'n Save business and real estate and revamped that as a second Mainely Provisions.
“This will be the third one,” he said.
There was enough room in the purchase price to allow for a full renovation, he added. That included demolition of some walls, putting in new insulation, ceiling, flooring, and electrical and plumbing systems, and cosmetic upgrades.
“It was basically a full gut renovation,” he said.
Photo / Courtesy Upward Management
The store includes Maine brands, produce, meats, deli, prepared foods, a coffee bar, baked goods, beer, wine, grab-and-go items and delivery services.
The store includes Maine brands, produce, meats, deli, prepared foods, a coffee bar, baked goods, beer, wine, grab-and-go items and delivery services.
Christopher credited Realtors Frank Curren of Harborview Properties and Katie Treem of Keller Williams Realty for bringing the property to his attention and Cooper Bramble, a real estate lending advisor at Maine Street Capital LLC in Portland, for his help in securing financing for the deal.
His partner in the venture is Ryan Rother. Christopher’s nephew Ben is a manager.
Photo / Courtesy Upward Management
From left, Ben Christopher, Joe Christopher and Ryan Rother are seen at the Westbrook property before the start of a full renovation.
A number of factors attracted him to the Westbrook market.
“Westbrook is up and coming — great market, great folks, satellite to Portland, like the town, like the area,” he said.
He noted that the location also sees a high traffic count but still has a neighborhood, family grocery feel.
“We felt this was a good spot for a neighborhood family grocery,” he said.
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