[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 69 (Wednesday, May 6, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S5229]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO CADILLAC MOUNTAIN SPORTS

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, with the weather beginning to warm 
up, Mainers and tourists alike are preparing to once again head 
outdoors and enjoy the beauty that our State has to offer. I rise this 
week to highlight the work one small business--Cadillac Mountain 
Sports--is doing to ensure that outdoorsmen and women have the gear and 
tools they need to make the most of their outings.
  Cadillac Mountain Sports was founded in May 1989 by Matthew Curtis. 
Mr. Curtis set up his small shop in busy downtown Bar Harbor, a summer 
haven for those visiting Acadia National Park. His intention, however, 
was to build a year-round sports store that served both members of the 
local community and the region's seasonal visitors. The store initially 
carried a wide variety of equipment for a host of individual sports and 
fitness activities, from swimming and tennis to running and aerobics. 
It soon widened its product line to include hiking, rock climbing, and 
backpacking equipment.
  Immensely popular from the outset, the business soon needed to 
significantly increase its space. Mr. Curtis moved his business to a 
larger location across the street after just 2 years, doubling its size 
and allowing the company to grow its product line. Since then, the 
company has undergone several expansions and renovations. Additionally, 
over the years, Cadillac has expanded to become a five-store chain, 
with four locations in downtown Bar Harbor, and one in nearby 
Ellsworth. Its line includes Cadillac's Patagonia, Cadillac's The North 
Face, and Cadillac's Nike, which all sell those particular brands' 
products. Cadillac now employs 30 people during the slow season, a 
number that rises to 100 people during the summer months.
  Cadillac Mountain Sports is grounded in the communities where it is 
located, and strives to improve the quality of living in those towns. 
Cadillac was recently instrumental in supporting the Ellsworth High 
Street Beautification Program to revamp its downtown area. 
Additionally, Cadillac utilizes a number of ``green'' business 
practices, including recycling programs. As a result of its 
considerable efforts to improve the town's well being, Cadillac 
Mountain Sports will be presented with the 2009 ``Top Drawer'' Award by 
the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce at the organization's 54th 
annual meeting on Thursday, May 14, 2009.
  The ``Top Drawer'' Award is presented annually to either a business 
or person that makes a lasting contribution to the development and 
improvement of the greater Ellsworth region. The award was founded in 
1980 to commemorate the late Tom Caruso, who established Bar Harbor 
Airlines to ``Link Maine With The World.''
  It is clear that Cadillac Mountain Sports, with its solid and 
intelligent commitment to the customer and the community, is highly 
worthy of this recognition. A small business that has grown to become a 
regional leader in the sale of sports equipment, Cadillac is a prime 
example of the success that comes with hard work, community 
involvement, and customer responsiveness. Congratulations to Matthew 
Curtis and everyone at Cadillac Mountain Sports for winning the 2009 
``Top Drawer'' Award, and best wishes for continued success.

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