Boothbay based Maine Coast Chimney Co. has opened their first retail store on Rt. 1 in Wiscasset. The 1700 square foot showroom features Regency, Hampton, and Napoleon wood and gas stoves. Maine Coast Chimney owner and former newspaperman Robert Conlin felt the time was right for a retail location after establishing a strong customer base in Boothbay.
“We’ve been in business for over five years and this is a logical extension of our existing services,” said Conlin.
The company will continue to provide a full range of services including chimney installation, maintenance, and general upkeep. For the purist or collector, Conlin is offering vintage tools, stoves, mantles, and wraparounds.
Edgecomb blacksmith Peter Brown has been commissioned to create hand forged fireplace tools. The showroom is designed to recreate all the creature comforts of home from braided rugs to a crackling fire that greets customers inside the entrance.
Maine Coast Chimney currently employs “3.5” people Conlin said, with the potential for more if business demands it.
Conlin is certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America and is also a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild. While most people associate chimney sweeps with the besotted geniality of Mary Poppins’ Chim Chim Cheree, the tradesman have a long and interesting history.
The first court cases establishing child labor standards were over child sweeps in England. Considered extremely low on the social ladder, chimney sweeps often dressed up to boost their egos but unfortunately, given the meager pay, most of their sartorial choices were limited to throwaway garments from professional pallbearers.
History aside, chimney sweeps provide a valuable and lifesaving service. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, chimney fires peaked in 1981 at 151,000 and dropped to 57,500 in 1989. Conlin provides hands on service and guarantees his work.
“Our customers deserve to have the peace of mind that comes with knowing their stove or insert was safely and professionally installed by the company that sold them the stove,” said Conlin.
Maine Coast Stove & Chimney is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and closed on Sunday. For more information call 350-5495.
