Jamie Pelletier is the new owner of Bogan Books in Fort Kent, Maine. The Bangor Daily News reported that Pelletier, who had worked at the store for about two years, bought the business from former owner Heidi Carter with a $50,000 loan from the Fort Kent Revolving Loan Fund.
Carter, who founded the shop in 2018, said she was looking for a change in her career while also doing something that would benefit the community, noting that when she travels, "I seek out independent bookstores. I always find that it tends to be a cultural hub for those communities, and a creative space."
In 2022, Carter took on a part-time position at the University of Maine at Fort Kent, and eventually began working as the school's executive director of marketing and brand management, which made running her bookshop a challenge. "At first, I tried to do both," she said. "But it just did not work well."
She did not want Fort Kent to lose the bookshop, so she put it up for sale. "It had been well over a year," she said. "We had some really great interest. Some good people stepped forward, but for whatever reason it never worked out."
When Carter announced that the store might close, Pelletier said the sadness in the shop was palpable: "Everyone was coming in with long faces. They didn't want to see it closed."
Pelletier made a business plan and brought it to Fort Kent town manager Suzie Paradis, the Bangor Daily News wrote, adding that they "discussed different ways in which Pelletier could purchase the business." An emergency Town Council meeting was called. Carter attended the meeting and spoke about why Pelletier would be an ideal candidate to take over the store. Following her presentation, the council approved giving Pelletier a $50,000 loan to purchase the business.
"I started crying," Pelletier said. "She saw something in me, and the town manager saw something in me. And it actually worked out. I cried a lot. I laughed a lot. And I'm super, super happy that I can continue what [Carter] created."
Paradis added: "Bookstores serve as a vital hub in communities. If we can offer access to literature, we foster a love for reading. Small retail stores in our community play a crucial role in sustaining our local economy, creating jobs, and preserving the unique character of our town."