By Gillian Graham

Staff Writer

For 30 years, Biddeford lacked a vibrant downtown to draw visitors from away or keep its residents close to home.

In recent years, a variety of businesses have moved into Main Street storefronts and renovated mill spaces, bringing with them unique offerings city officials and businesses owners hope will continue to draw people back to Biddeford. 

Heart of Biddeford Executive Director Rachael Weyand said “a lot of people have just written this area off.” Even city residents have dismissed the area, but now is as good a time as any to help people rediscover what downtown has to offer, she said.

All events sponsored by the Heart of Biddeford are designed specifically to attract people to the downtown area, Weyand said. The annual Chalk on the Walk event, the organization’s biggest annual undertaking, is designed specifically to get people to walk throughout the downtown. This year’s event is scheduled for Sept. 26.

The city’s “Museum in the Streets” takes visitors on a walking tour of historic locations, many in the downtown area. The museum includes 30 panels of historic information on locations such as city hall, the mills and old dance halls. 

Weyand said Biddeford offers a “perfect mix of things” to offer visitors, including “the best ethnic food mix in Maine.” Downtown restaurants offer a variety of food, from pizza to Irish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, Cuban and Thai food. The city is also home to a growing number of artists and musicians.

“We have a bunch of new businesses that are really unique,” Weyand said. “It’s a cool place. I think when people discover Biddeford they feel like they’re in on something, that they’ve found out a secret.”

City Councilor David Flood, who is also president of Heart of Biddeford, said he constantly working to bring more people to rediscover Biddeford. He often gives one-on-one tours to people he meets through various organizations. Visitors are usually impressed by the city when they finish the tour, Flood said. 

“It’s a constant push to be positive and bring people down here,” he said.

For Dan Adams, open space in the renovated North Dam Mill seemed like the perfect opportunity to open a business. His coffee shop Buzz opened this week, serving coffee, smoothies and snacks. He said the growing number of artists and musicians renting studio space in the city has contributed to the city’s “incredible mill spaces.”

Adams said he finds Biddeford a great place to live and work because it is sandwiched in size between small towns and cities. The size allows him to get to know his neighbors while taking advantage of various activities, he said. 

“I love it here, I love the community,” he said. 

Val Mongillo, owner of Old Mill Violins, also saw potential when he first stepped into the North Dam Mill. He attended an auction at the building and realized the space would be perfect for his repair business, which he was operating from home. He said the space – complete with river views – has allowed him to grow his business in a nice environment.

“I like being here and I think there’s a lot of potential here,” he said. “A lot of things are starting to happen.”

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.