Visitors to the South Street shopping center in Calais will not have on‑site access to gasoline or car wash services supplied by Tradewinds, which was up until recently an active goal. The provision of the services has been blocked on the grounds of a land covenant that governs the usage of the center.
     Tradewinds purchased the Shop 'n Save store located in the center in January 2016. Tradewinds owner Chuck Lawrence says that he was aware of the covenant at the time but had been led to believe that installing the gas pumps and car wash would not be a significant issue. Before the plans could progress, however, they were stalled by the land developer and the competitor that shares the center with Tradewinds, both of whom called the covenant into effect.
     "They had a right to block it and they chose to," Lawrence says, acknowledging that the covenant is sound. If he wanted to challenge the covenant C a move he is not pursuing because of the lack of precedent in Maine in overturning them C he would be required to pay the legal fees of his competitor and the developer.
     Calais Mayor Marianne Moore says the blocked development is "unfortunate" but adds that since it is private property "there isn't much the city can do to help other than write letters to support."
     While not eager to contest the covenant, Lawrence is disappointed. "I think it would have built up the whole lot," he says. He adds that the Tradewinds franchise is known for its gasoline and the fact that it contributes a portion of sales to Cancer Care in Brewer. In lieu of providing gas and car wash services, Tradewinds has installed a pump offering free air to all of its customers.
     Though Lawrence had been anticipating the expansion of gasoline sales in Calais, he says that the Tradewinds Shop 'n Save would not be negatively affected by the blocked services. "My whole intent in purchasing the store was in saving the jobs," Lawrence says. He remains confident that when the economy turns around "we'll be in a position to prosper then."