The Lumbery — a small business located in the Cape Elizabeth town center on Route 77 that sells locally sourced wood, garden beds, and tools — announced plans earlier this week that it will be seeking new ownership.
This comes in the wake of a prolonged legal battle between the business and the town that centered around allegations that Lumbery was in non-compliance with the town’s zoning and sign ordinances.
Originally filed in October of 2022, the lawsuit accused The Lumbery and its owner Mike Friedland of “encroaching well beyond their approved site plan by storing several pallets of firewood, picnic tables, stacks of lumber, and other items in the front of [the business].”
Although the approved site plan for Lumbery allowed for “minimal outside storage of materials in areas defined in the site plan,” the Town argued that Friedland’s displays did not fall under these criteria.
Cape Elizabeth also accused Friedland of “placing a sign in the front of [Lumbery] without submitting the information necessary for a complete sign permit application.”
[RELATED: Cape Elizabeth Threatens Burdensome Fines Over Local Lumber Yard’s Outdoor Displays]
After many months and a significant outpouring of support from residents, the Council voted unanimously to drop the lawsuit without prejudice.
This meant that although they had ended their current legal proceedings against the business, they were free to bring this same issue to court in the future should their attempts to resolve matters outside of the legal system have been unsuccessful.
[RELATED: Case Dismissed: Cape Town Council Finally Drops Unpopular Lawsuit Against Beloved Small Business]
Following this decision, Friedland asked the Town to reimburse him a total of $11,000 for expenses he incurred during this time — $9,500 for legal fees and an additional $1,500 for “the time [he] dedicated to rectifying this matter.”
According to WGME, Friedland’s attempt to receive this compensation was ultimately unsuccessful.
In a statement posted to The Lumbery’s Facebook page Monday, the business explained that it will be seeking a new owner and, in the meantime, it’s day-to-day operations “will remain unchanged during this transition.”
“In four years’ time, with limited funds, an endless supply of stubborn naivety and a […] ton of hard work, myself, along with my incredible partners, Jennifer Friedland-Stora and Ryan Holland, plus the most amazing team of workers, staffers, vendors, family and friends have created something extraordinary,” the post said.
“After much thoughtful consideration, we have decided to seek a new owner for our beloved business,” the statement said. “This decision wasn’t made lightly and reflects a careful evaluation of our personal and professional goals.”
“We believe that finding the right person can help The Lumbery reach its full potential, leveraging our strong relationships with local, regional, and national mills, farms, and organizations,” said the business.
“It is my sincere hope that the right person comes along to continue with our mission and expand upon the untapped potential of our business and our land,” the statement continued. “In the meantime we promise to continue operations providing top quality service and wonderful products.”
“Please bear in mind that complex deals of this kind take time. It takes time to identify the right buyer and it takes time to structure the deal and manage the transition process,” they concluded. “We will remain steadfast to you, our dear customer, no matter how long it may take for this full transition.”
OH JOY! The commies in Cape Elizabeth dive another business out.
Thought Maine was open for business, but not the Cape
We do not need you tax money Joe will keep giving us grants as long as Janet and angus kiss joe’s butt.
Let them in their electrick BMW drive a few towns over
Yet another prime example of the fact that democrats destroy everything that they touch and this one takes the cake. The entire government of Cape Elizabeth should be removed from office for wasting everyone’s time on this completely petty squabble.