06/09/2008
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Staff Photo by Joe Phelanfrom the Kennebec Journal
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from the Morning Sentinel
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge James B. Haines signed an order May 14 officially closing the Chapter 7 bankruptcy case.
It means there's no money remaining in any accounts left from the liquidation of the business.
In its heyday, Carleton employed almost 600 workers at mills in Winthrop and Gardiner.
Dornan Lucas, of Winthrop, who managed the manufacturing operation until he retired Jan. 31, 1994, remembers it best as having three shifts a day, all turning out wool used to make sports jackets and smooth billiard cloth.
But hundreds lost their jobs in the summer of 1999 after the textile company experienced a steady downturn in manufacturing orders.
"It was hit hard by imported garments from low-wage countries," Lucas said on Wednesday. "Generally, the whole textile business has gone overseas."
The company filed for bankruptcy protection in February 2000.
It's been four years since the last severance check was sent to some 350 former workers as part of a settlement with Carleton's parent company, Allied Textile Companies, and years since new occupants have taken up residence at the two Carleton Woolen Mill buildings in Winthrop that were auctioned off.
Carl Swanson, 73, of Winthrop, was almost the last to leave when the Carleton Woolen plant in downtown Winthrop finally closed its doors after the parent company filed for bankruptcy protection.
He was 65 at the time and eligible to collect retirement benefits.
The former head electrician at the downtown plant still retains a proprietary interest in the company and was one of the those notified about the end of the bankruptcy case.
"I worked there until May 2000," Swanson said, "I worked there 25 years."
Lucas has a long history in the business, as well.
"I was in the textile business for years, ever since I left school in Ireland," he said.
Lucas worked first in the wool industry, where he spent a five-year apprenticeship, then with makers of hand-woven linen known as Donegal tweed.
"The textile business was something I was always in, and I always enjoyed the work," he said.
The Northern Ireland native came to Maine via Canada, and then Carleton bought out his mill in Ware, Mass., and he moved to Winthrop in the early 1980s.
He said he has fond memories of working at the mill.
"I liked the people there; we had a well-running operation," he said.
Lucas is pleased to see the buildings used again.
The brick-sided downtown mill -- with parts dating from 1813 -- was sold at auction and is now known as the Winthrop Commerce Center LLC, with 200,000 feet of lease space.
Lou Carrier, president of the center, said that 24,000 square feet are occupied by businesses related to MaineGeneral Health:
* Winthrop Family Practice
* Winthrop Pediatrics
* MaineGeneral Laboratory Services
* MaineGeneral Medical Center Outpatient Imaging Services
* MaineGeneral Specialty Outreach Clinics and
* Augusta Orthopedic Associates.
The state of Maine also leases 5,000 square feet for Medicare records storage and other space is leased by Option Rentals of Farmingdale, Carrier said.
The newer building on U.S. Route 202 is owned Dejour Realty LLC, and known as the Carleton Mills Building, said Jaime LeBlanc, one of the owners.
It has several tenants, as well:
* the state Department of Human Services Disability Determination Services, 18,500 square feet of office space;
* Progressive Distributors, 30,000 square feet of warehouse space;
* Tex Tech Industries Inc., 30,000 square feet for manufacturing; and
* Federal Emergency Management Agency, 25,000 square feet of office space on a short-term lease to process flood damage claims from northern Maine.
LeBlanc said 45,000 square feet of space remain available. It's being marketed as suitable for warehouse, light industrial or office space.
Betty Adams -- 621-5631
badams@centralmaine.com
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