9.12.2011 – A local business that has been run by the same family for four generations was named the city’s business of the year at Brewer Days, a three-day hometown celebration held over the weekend.

Gold Star Cleaners took home the business honor and the citizen of the year award went to Lester Young, who retired in June after 47 years dedicated to serving area children.

The two annual awards were made Friday night during the first day of Brewer Days, which is in its 10th year. Mayor Joseph Ferris, with assistance from Deputy Mayor Jerry Goss, presented the awards.

Gold Star Cleaners was founded more than a century ago by the Pooler family, company president Eric Pooler states on the company’s website.

“Gold Star Cleaners was established by my great-grandfather in 1905 and for generations has provided professional dry-cleaning services to the greater Bangor-Brewer area,” he states. “Gold Star Cleaners is one of only 25 dry cleaners nationwide to hold all three certificates in certified professional dry-cleaner, environmental and wet cleaner.”

Eric Pooler was out of town, so his father, Jim Pooler, accepted the business of the year plaque.

Young, who did his student teaching at Brewer Middle School 47 years ago, has been a teacher, principal, superintendent and business manager, and for the last two years was director of finance and the owner’s representative for the newly completed Brewer Community School.

He was presented an honorary clock.

A copyright story from the Bangor Daily News by Nok-Noi Ricker, BDN Staff, Posted Sept. 12, 2011, at 3:26 p.m.