If you can remember back when Clark Marine originated in Downtown Gardiner, you would be of the World War II Generation. The Big One!
Here is how the story goes:
Shortly after being honorably discharged from the United States Armed Services, Walter Clark and Gerald Harriman opened Clark Buick on Mechanic Street in Gardiner. It was the late 40’s and things were booming! It did not take long for the early business to take off and eventually outgrow the dual level location.
1958
The Buick garage moved from the Mechanic street location to State Street in Augusta. The location of Clark Buick set right beside the original YMCA. As progress will have it, today both buildings are gone.
Clark Marine opened their doors as Maine’s newest Evinrude Outboard Dealer.
1966
The Buick garage was on the move again, this time relocating to a larger lot on Western Avenue.
David Harriman and Richard “Tiger” Olum buy into Clark Marine as full partners.
1968
Clark Marine moves from Gardiner and takes up residence on outer Western Avenue in Augusta.
1972
The Buick Garage is sold to the Brooks Brothers.
Walter Clark retires and sells his portion of the business to Gerald, David, and Richard (Tiger).
1985
Rob Brown is hired on as a technician in Clark Marine’s service operation.
1987
The Clark Marine facility burns to the ground. Clark Marine never closes a day of business.
1988
Clark Marine opens its new dual level facility on the outer Western Avenue property.
1996
Clark Marine moves to the Puddledock Road in Manchester, Maine.
1997
Rob Brown purchases Richard “Tiger” Olum’s share of Clark Marine.
2005
Clark Marine opens a full service and storage facility on Route 202 in North Monmouth, Maine.
2012
Clark Marine purchases an indoor storage building located on Route 135 in Belgrade, Maine.
2018
Clark Marine celebrates 60 Year Anniversary.
2019
March, David Harriman unexpectedly passes away. Rob Brown assumes full ownership.
April, Clark Marine is incorporated, legally becomes Clark Marine Maine.
April, Nancy Fortier-Brown becomes minor partner.
All of this history might seem a hard dry read unless you were part of it. It is intended to show is that Clark Marine has an established root system here in the greater Kennebec Valley region of Maine. Through good times and bad, wars, recessions, ups and downs, Clark Marine has persevered.
The original concept the company was founded on exists today as strong as it did a generation ago. To serve the Central Maine freshwater Boater with vigor! Clark Marine has always been known as an innovator to the boating public by always bringing to the community a fresh offering of the latest greatest boating styles and accessories to be enjoyed on our local lakes and ponds.
Clark Marine, though twists and turns, has established a foothold in Manchester, Monmouth, and Belgrade Maine. These three locations now provide the platform to serve Central Maine boaters for current and future generations.
