Amy Hocking, Emily Brown, Jim Brown

Jim Brown, owner of Rideout’s since 2012 spoke to Houlton Rotary recently about his acquisition of the property and his business plan for the future. Rideout’s was founded in 1947 and Jim, along with his wife Kim and his children Emily and Parker, is the 4th owner. Jim has strong connections in the area and foresees his business continuing with the historic image of Rideout’s but with new amenities. There are 8 acres across the road that now accesses the cabins and lodge. Jim hopes to sell new cabins, built to “spec” for the new owner and move the existing camps across the road onto foundations. This would maintain the lake view and improve the buildings without remodeling the old cabins at a prohibitive cost.

BENEFITS:

BUYERS HAVE UNOBSTRUCTED LAKE VIEWS AND NEW WATERFRONT COMMON AREA – MOVE “FRONT 4” CABINS
HISTORIC RENTAL CUSTOMERS WILL STILL HAVE ACCESS TO RIDEOUT’S AS IN THE PAST
RESTAURANT OPEN YEAR ROUND
FALL/WINTER VISITORS (HUNTING/SNOWMOBILE/ICE FISHING/BIRDING/PHOTOGRAPHY, ETC)
ALL SPEND $$ LOCALLY
BEST PART: YEAR ROUND EMPLOYMENT FOR LOCALS

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR Jim?:

INVEST FUNDS INTO THE COMMON AREAS (DOCKS, BOATS, GROUNDS) TO MAKE RIDEOUT’S A PREMIER DESTINATION FOR RENTERS AND ADD VALUE FOR THE OWNERS.

CONTINUE TO PROVIDE VACATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR RIDEOUT’S GUESTS (BOATS RENTALS; DINING ROOM, ETC)
CONTINUED PRESENCE IN NORTHERN MAINE
LONGER PERIODS SPENT IN NORTHERN MAINE
GAIN GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF NEEDS IN N. MAINE
CONTINUE TO BE ADVOCATE FOR N. MAINE VIA MTA – WORK WITH NMDC & ACT

SUMMARY:

Jim says he in does not want to add this to his resume but he is a huge advocate for the County, as a member of the Maine Tourism Board he want to be heard and he wants to make a difference for the greater good of a wonderful place.

To quote Jim “LET’S WORK TOGETHER TO HAVE HOULTON PIONEER TIME’S BYLINE SAY:

“NOT THE ONLY PLACE IN THE WORLD INTERESTED IN HOULTON, MAINE”.