Lapointe's Lawn & Garden Center

Some families build their own business from the ground up... The Lapointe family built theirs from the basement up in their Pond Road home in Lewiston, Maine. What Fernand and Cal Lapointe founded in 1953 as a humble lawnmower repair service has grown into the thriving Lapointe's Lawn and Garden Center, now owned and operated by their son, Paul, and daughter, Joline Lapointe Pelletier. The Elder Lapointes, who developed a reputation for providing excellent customer service, are justifiably proud of their children for continuing their commitment. "We've worked here forever and ever, " Joline said with a smile. Located on outer Sabattus Street, Lapointe's Lawn and Garden Center sells tractors, lawn-mowers, snowblowers, chain saws, trimmers, roto-tillers and chippers. A Toro/Wheel Horse dealership, Lapointe's also carries other leading equipment lines such as Exmark, Echo, Lawn Boy, Troy-Bilt and White. The store sells parts. It services not only the equipment it sells, but also products purchased from other retailers. "When you buy something here, it's put together here, serviced, tested and even explained, in how to operate it. "We have free delivery on new purchases and a guarantee backed up by qualified people who have been here for years. We always strive for good prompt service, " Fern said. Joline concurred. "Our store is not like the ones in the shopping malls. If the winter is wicked busy with snowstorms, we're here. During the ice storm of '98, even though we had no electricity and no heat, we were here until it was too dark for us to work. We don't close our doors like the malls do, following rigid schedules, " she said. "We treat people like we want to be treated. If you need service or you have questions, we don't slam the door in your face."