New business and expanding business coming to Wilton

WILTON – With a new business coming to town and another expanding to meet its customers’ needs, the area’s economic outlook is looking up.

Elvis Phair and Therese Pinette of Wilton, will be asking the planning board on May 6 for the go ahead to construct a new 20-foot by 45-foot building to house a bakery, complete with a commercial kitchen.

A little more than a year ago, the couple started Law Mountain Wreaths of Maine, specializing in wreaths, of course, but also balsam fir bags, soaps, homemade jams, and bakery goods. Operating out of their home on Pond Road, business has been so good they need a large commercial kitchen to meet the increase of orders coming in.

“We’re growing at a good, steady rate,” Phair said, “and we’re at the point where we need a bakery.” The couple sells their goods at the year round Farmington Grange and Sandy River farmers’ markets, the Western Maine Alliance online farmers’ market and do a pretty brisk business through phone orders with a home delivery service provided.

Phair said with the planning board’s blessing to build, he hopes to open the commercial bakery by the end of summer. Orders can be made via email at lawmtnwreaths@aol.com or by calling 751-7699 or 798-9383.

Over on the east side of town, Mike and Ellie Biladeau plan to open a furniture and lighting store where the former Eagle Sports store was located next to Napa Auto Parts on Route 2. The couple, who reside in Sabattus are moving to Mercer after deciding to open up the new store that will feature rustic furniture and wildlife-themed lighting fixtures, such as moose and deer lamps and antler chandeliers. Mike Biladeau said the Wilton location on busy Route 2 “is an area ready to grow.”

With all those rustic log cabins and cottages in Franklin County in need of some good rustic furniture, Biladeau said his store, “is a good fit for the area.”

Mike Biladeau worked in the artisan well business for 34 years and his wife Ellie for Cooper Industries for 15 years until it closed and moved to Mexico recently, so they decided to start a new furniture business. They also own Porky Bigelow Concessions, a familiar sight at the Farmington Fair that features a stylish-looking Porky Pig dressed in a tuxedo.

They need planning board approval for the new business and hope to open in the first week of June with a grand opening possibly the third week of June.