Mainebiz offers a recap of unusual news stories published this year. From a retail first at the Maine Mall in South Portland peddling stuffed creatures called Squishmallows to a new Jellystone Park in central Maine featuring Yogi Bear and his pals, there was plenty of unusual news in 2022.
Across the U.S., forecasts called for a surge in holiday shopping over last year, with more consumers returning to brick-and-mortar stores. That appeared to be true in Maine during the holiday weekend.
When complete in the fall of 2022, the new interchange will be able to accommodate growing traffic volumes near the state's largest shopping center, the Maine Mall in South Portland.
Black Friday kicked off the holiday shopping season, and Mainers appeared out in force. But gift-giving and holiday travel are far different in 2020 than in previous years.
Jordan's Furniture takes over vacant space at the Maine Mall in South Portland, previously occupied by a Bon-Ton department store. Like other Jordan's stores, this one will also offer food and entertainment.
While the South Portland mall is officially closed, some stores that provide essential services and have their own entrances may be open, as well as restaurants that offer takeout.
Today the retail market is very much driven by the speed, reliability and ease of buying virtually anything from Amazon and its convenient membership arm, Amazon Prime.