Few hospitality attractions can claim 350 years of uninterrupted family service. But SeasideInnin Kennebunk does just that. Established by early set- tler John Gooch, the Seaside has warmed guests on our shores during high tides and low. “I remember my grandparents talking about how depressed the tourist industry was during World War I,” says twelfth-generation owner Trish Mason. “Business was terrible–but we did open for the season. My family lived right here and had huge gardens to supply the hotel dining room with food for the few guests who visited.” Visit kennebunkportbeachwebcam.com for time-lapse coverage of Gooch’s Beach. O C T O b e r 2 0 1 7 1 7 courtesy photos Giovanni Amato first rolled out his tiny food cart to feed hungry dockworkers in Portland in 1902, and it was here he was inspired to create the original Maine Italian Sandwich. The first Amato’s sandwich shop launched on India Street during the 1920s, where a modern-day Ama- to’s still remains. Celebrity fans include “Stephen King, Tim Sample, and Bob Marley,” says Louis Torrieri. Do they have a count on how many Italian sand- wiches they’ve served (watch out, MacDonald’s)?” “We don’t have exact numbers. However, we’re the largest tomato buyer in the Northeast.” Ripley & Fletcher, the oldest Ford dealership in New England, opened its doors in South Paris in 1909, right across from the railroad station where trains delivered new automobiles during the 20th century. A receipt retained from 1922 shows Miss Eliza Davis of West Paris bought a Model T tour- ing car for $403 and two cows. One hundred years ago,Portlandhad68,000citizens–2,000morethantoday.We’d justenteredtheGreatWarinEurope,where67of uswouldperish,onlytofaceadead- lieradversaryhereathome.Barelyayearlater,the influenza pandemicwouldtake thelivesof over5,000Mainers–includingfourPortlandnursesinoneweekalone. Youngadultssufferedthemostfatalitiesbyavastmargin. Threelocalfirmsspecializedinmakingsquarepianos.Curtis&Sonschewing gumfactoryonForeStreetwasstillsnappingout1,800packsaday.Notasingle womancouldvoteinanelection,buttheywerehiredthatyearbyThePortlandCom- panytopackhowitzershellcasingsforthewareffort–forjustunder9centsanhour. Is your business celebrating over 100 years of serving Maine? Email us at staff@portlandmonthly.com The unofficial outfitter of Maine was launched after a hunting trip in 1912 left Leon Leonwood Bean with wet feet. Inspired, woodsy visionary stitched leath- er tops to rubber workman’s boots to create a hy- brid shoe for the Maine outdoorsman. Jump over 100 years and the L.L. Bean “duck boots” are a staple not just for local hunters but New York hipsters, too. De- mand is so high L.L. Bean plans to double its pro- duction space to vault sales above 1 million pairs next year and reduce the regular backlog of orders. (Read our story “Dark Horses, Shooting Stars” on page 35 to learn more.) TheCentury Club JUST A FEW OF Maine’s businesses celebrating over a century of service. B e l l a V i t a When ill health forced Captain Harry Davidson to abandon a career at sea, he set a new course as a jeweler in the Old Port in 1914. Over a century later, gems from Day’s Jeweler’s sparkle all over New England. ShineBright Reeling in the Years Holy Cow! L.L.Bean: Freeport