May 15 is going to be one of those exciting landmark days that people will be talking about for a long time in Maine. The Gateway at Scarborough is a 70 acre mixed-use development located at exit 42 on the Maine Turnpike that is divided into two separate 35 acre tracts: the Gateway Shoppes on the Maine Turnpike and the Gateway Square on Haigis Parkway that will have its first ribbon-cutting with the opening of Cabela's, one of this country's premier outdoor gear and apparel retailers.
The 130,000 s/f destination retail superstore with its two-story mountain replica, world-class trophy mounts from around the world, museum quality dioramas, giant aquarium, fly fishing shop, laser shooting gallery and much more will be the anchor for this mixed-use development.
Cabela's second New England store (joining their newly opened facility in East Hartford, Conn.) will attract customers not only from Maine, but eastern Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and very likely the provinces of Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. With Cabela's emphasis on attractive and informative displays, it is not only a retail destination but an educational experience as well.
Not surprisingly, Cabela's has been a magnet for other smaller retailers. Happily all of the several committed ancillary merchants in the Gateway Shoppes have Maine roots, thus helping to grow our local and regional economy. Cabela's will be joined by Freaky Bean Coffee, a wholesaler and retailer of fine coffees that originated in Scarborough; Portland Pie, one of Portland, Maine's finest pizza parlors; Haven's Candies, founded in Maine in 1915; Henry VIII, a gourmet sandwich shop; Siam Garden; Kitchen and Cork; Art Trends and Framing; and The Kennel Shop, a Maine based pet accessory chain. The good news is that there is more space available for this type of user, but it's going fast.

Across Payne Rd., the Gateway Square is taking shape. Less retail in nature than the Gateway Shoppes, it will likely house a hotel, offices, childcare facility and a limited number of small retail and service establishments. Just down Payne Rd., the First Look Plaza, an attractive 18,000 s/f multi-tenant retail facility is under construction.

Although Cabela's and the Gateway development are exciting, Scarborough continues to attract even more development. The Scarborough Gallery, currently home to a new Lowe's Superstore, will soon be joined by a new Super Wal-Mart and Staples along with a number of national restaurants. Two new hotels are nearing completion, one on Rte. One, and one on Payne Rd. And, speaking of Rte. One, the updating and conversion of several small malls has provided space for a growing number of high-end boutique retail enterprises along with new high-end office development such as the soon to be completed 383 on Rte. One and Enterprise Business Park, a 35 lot, first-class technology and office park.

To say that Scarborough is on the move and leading Greater Portland into the 21st century is not hyperbole. Combining a great location less than two hours from Boston, quality residential development, great schools and good planning are building Scarborough's attractiveness to quality businesses. We are continuing to diversify our commercial base and are expanding our efforts to attract high-tech, biotech and medical endeavors to join our already growing research community.
Harvey Rosenfeld is the president of the Scarborough Economic Development Corp., Scarborough, ME.