Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, The Buzz column

Nov. 08--This week the Buzz is knocking things down and building things up.

First: Did your business close for more than 72 hours last week from the storm? Or suffer more than 40 percent physical damage?

The Maine Technology Institute wants to hear from you.

Like, within the hour.

MTI is helping the Maine Emergency Management Agency gather storm-loss data to be submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency to make the case for storm-related help.

It's running an online survey to gather those details, but the survey's only live until Thursday at 10 a.m.

Sewing summer seeds

More than 50 families are already on board for the second season of Maine's first "CSA/Meal Kit Hybrid," out of South Auburn Organic Farm, in 2018.

Karen Bolduc started the pilot project last summer inspired by the growing mail-order meal kit industry, but wanting to ditch the myriad of packaging and keep things local. Roughly 40 families participated, she said, two-thirds of whom have asked for a spot next year.

"Our most common critique has been that folks would like the meals to take more like 30 minutes, rather than 45-60 minutes to prepare, so we hear that loud and clear and plan to incorporate it into next year's program," she said. "We will also likely offer a vegetarian option, which was a consistent request."

She learned in September that the project wasn't selected for a federal grant that would have given it a boost, but she plans to reapply. Grant officials wanted a trained chef involved in meal planning, so she'll do that.

"I am optimistic that we can meet our goal of 100 (families) by next year," Bolduc said. "I do see the local food movement only getting stronger."

Welcome to the neighborhood?

Twilight Years LLC bought a 5,000-square-foot warehouse at 279 Washington St. South in Auburn from Maurice and Lauren Eastman for $330,000 on Oct. 19, according to MaineBiz.

Greg Perry, a senior partner at Cardente Real Estate who helped broker the deal, said Wednesday that the buyer doesn't have an immediate use in mind.

"(They) purchased the building on speculation based on the very low vacancy rates in Cumberland, York and Androscoggin counties," he said.

Welcome to the neighborhood? Part II

The 6,000-square-foot, hand-hewn cedar log cabin in Brownfield that had been on the market for $2.7 million didn't sell at a high-end auction last week.

It had been built by a Boston family looking to get out of the city. Now that their kids are grown, they're ready to move on.

Concierge Auctions now lists it as "bidding closed, available for offers."

Adios

Heavy equipment's in the parking lot. Red and white X's are marked on the walls.

The long-vacant former Cottle's at 449 Sabattus St. is about to come down.

The city last month approved a $475,000 construction permit for a 60- by 80-foot single-story convenience store with eight gas pumps.

Dearborn Brothers Construction is in there now abating the inside, according to the company. They expect to knock it down either right before or right after Thanksgiving. Demolition should take three to four weeks.

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