This week in the Buzz: A new Cumberland Farms for Lewiston, a retail mystery lingers on Center Street, a new venture for a longtime local businesswoman, and farewell, Cathay Hut.

Hello, sort of

The Lewiston Planning Board has approved a new 4,786-square-foot Cumberland Farms at 691 Main St., where the empty Aubuchon Hardware sits now.

The new convenience store will have eight gas pumps and look much like the new Cumberland Farms on Sabattus Street, according to City Planner David Hediger.

Aubuchon is coming down and construction will take place sometime next year. The current, nearby Cumbies will be vacated and put up for sale or lease, he said. 

Goodbye, sadly

Cathay Hut has closed.

The longtime Chinese restaurant at 1134 Lisbon St. had been open more than 35 years, since April 1979, according to city records.

City staff said the owner left a note on the door saying he was retiring. The restaurant’s number was already disconnected this week.

Plantrepreneur

Celeste Yakawonis has traded gift baskets for greenery.

“I did (Maine Made Gift Baskets) for 18 years and then I felt that I needed a change,” said Yakawonis, who lives in Turner. She was at a Network L-A event when “somebody said, ‘You should give build-your-own-terrarium parties,’ and the lightbulb went off, and, ‘Yeah, I should.'”

With the new Party’N With Plants, Yakawonis is traveling to host parties at shops and in homes, bringing succulents and accessories to decorate around them.

“I really like succulents because they’re a water-efficient plant and I really feel like we have to start conserving water,” she said.

And her own green thumb?

“I can’t grow an orchid to save my life, but the succulents are doing beautifully,” Yakawonis said. “I have them all through my house. I could quote you my husband’s complaints to prove that,” she added, laughing.

Mystery development

It’s definitely going up faster than the Krispy Kreme across the street, but there’s still no word on what will be going in it.

The new 2,400-square-foot development at 411 Center St. in Auburn was approved this summer with plans to divide the space in two. The developer is PDB Rancourt Realty, and according to city staff, as of this week the new tenants haven’t been locked in yet.

So watch and wait.

Quick hits about business comings, goings and happenings. Have a Buzzable tip? Contact staff writer Kathryn Skelton at 689-2844 or kskelton@sunjournal.com.