Big Deal in progress: New real estate office taking shape on Center Street

Left of Center Joshua Maloni

GM/Managing Editor

Drywall and painting were on the agenda this week for the inside of a new two-story building at 748 Center St., in Lewiston. The future home of Deal Realty is taking shape and preparing for a summer opening.

“We’re getting there,” owner Tom Deal said Tuesday.

The 2,500-square-foot structure is larger than the space Deal Realty now rents at 451 Center St., and will offer agents and homebuyers added amenities within the street level unit.

“This is going to be a conference room, so we can sit down with clients and we can sign contracts,” Deal said of the room nearest next-door neighbor Vincenzo’s Pizza House. “We’ve got our own privacy. There (in the existing office), there was no private areas.

“Here is going to be a little office, if you need to make a private phone call; you can come in,” Deal said of the next room over. “It’s almost like a bullpen” in the main concourse. Everyone’s, ‘Hey’; someone’s yelling, talking. … So, a lot of times when they have to make a phone call at our current place, they’ll go outside. They’ll sit in their car.”

“It gives us a lot more room,” Deal continued, as he pointed out closets, an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant bathroom, and a break room.

The second floor will be a private residential unit with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and a great room. A deck will be built overlooking the roadway.

An elevator will connect the basement, first and second floors.

A look inside 748 Center St., now under construction.

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Deal commissioned his new headquarters at a site that sat empty following a fire on Nov. 30, 2022, that consumed units once occupied by former tenants The Vintage Barber, Soully Created and Sue’s Frame of Mind. The former and latter have since relocated on Center Street.

Deal Realty will continue to operate out of 451 Center until 748 Center is ready to welcome the public.

“We’ve been in business going on 20 years now; we felt comfortable enough to own our own office,” Deal said.

He added, “It’s amazing: Any place we are, everyone, that’s all they want to talk about is the new space; how great it looks; and they’re so appreciative of what we’re doing to make Lewiston look better.”

Deal credited Paul Game Construction, Hytec Concrete, Witkowski Construction, Pride In Rock Drywall, BRC Electric, Mark Kreuder Plumbing, and Steve's Heating for helping to make his vision a reality.

“We were cognizant of making it look like something that Lewiston would be proud to have, and we would be proud to own,” he said.

“We’re just very appreciative of the community,” Deal said. “Without the community’s support and love for us, we wouldn't have a business.”