Norman Sherman has reason for optimism with Trucks By Norm, the used truck sales business he opened August 5, up Route 1 from Norm's Used Cars. A month earlier, there were about 65 trucks he expected to have for sale at the new business. But by opening day, he'd already sold about half of them.

Pickups are selling well these days, and Sherman didn't really have room for them at the used car business. He's had to keep them in the back. At the new location at 646 Bath Road (Route 1), the former site of the long vacant restaurant Tony's, it's all about the trucks.

Next to Dunkin’ Donuts and across from the Irving convenience store, it's a great location, Sherman said. The truck drivers that travel the road don't go home and get into Ford Escorts; they get into pickups, he said.

Sherman said the new business has already created three jobs and he will likely add a fourth position there.

At the August 5 ribon-cutting, Wiscasset Town Planner Misty Parker described the property's re-use as a good opportunity for both Sherman and the community.

“It's wonderful to see the redevelopment of a property that after several years was not looking very well,” Parker said.

Sherman praised Parker as very helpful throughout the process of redeveloping the property into the truck business.

Trucks By Norm’s hours are the same as at Norm's Used Cars: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Susan Johns can be reached at 207-844-4633 or susanjohns@wiscassetnewspaper.com