By Tim Badgley
The Rockport-based waterfront property rental, sales, and management company On the Water in Maine plans to open a second location at 27 Main St. in Damariscotta by the end of July.
Vacant for four years, the building abutting the south side of the Damariscotta-Newcastle bridge was spruced up with new siding July 14 in preparation for the opening of On the Water in Maine, slated for end of July 2014. (Tim Badgley photo) |
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According to co-owner Tiffany Ford, she and husband Justin have been in business in Rockport since 2004.
“Our primary business is vacation property rentals and sales,” Ford said. “I also operate a cottage decor shop which we will bring to our Damariscotta location.”
Ford said they selected Damariscotta to locate their business due to year-round resident activity and its easy accessibility from Route 1.
“The visibility of the location is great,” Ford said. “The building is quintessentially Maine and on the water, which pulls all the elements of our business operation together.”
Ford said that building had been empty for four years before they purchased it in May 2014. Her plan is to open by the end of July and close for the season during October since the building is not yet winterized.
Ford said during the coming winter and spring they plan to work with the town of Damariscotta to obtain the appropriate permits to remain open year-round.
While their main office in Rockland handles boat rentals as well, this service will not be offered at the Damariscotta location, Ford said. The main office is located at 195 Commercial St. in Rockport.
Hours of operation for the Damariscotta office will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays with the possibility of being open on Saturdays. Both office locations can be reached by phone at 800-930-2561.
According to Ford, the backbone of the business is to provide clients with a superlative waterfront vacation property rental experience.
“We do whatever is necessary to make the renter happy and ensure they have a really great stay,” Ford said.
