Bangor To Be New Base For Old Portland Cryptozoology Museum

Last October, we brought you a story about a unique businessman/renowned cryptozoology specialist who planned to open a one-of-a-kind book store/gift shop in Bangor. 

Get our free mobile app

This April, the International Cryptozoology Museum-Bangor Store opened at 585 Hammond St. Store owner, Loren Coleman, who also operates International Cryptozoology Museum at Thompson Point in Portland, says he plans to move his entire base of operation up to Bangor by 2024.

According to a recent article in the Bangor Daily News, Coleman says he's found an ideal location on Broadway, and his goal is to renovate and restore it as an all-in-one museum/book store and gift shop.

"Coleman, a world-renowned expert on cryptids — animals whose existence is unsubstantiated — intends to purchase the building at 490 Broadway in Bangor, the former site of Bangor Redemption and Beverage Center, and consolidate all his locations into one spot in Bangor...Coleman said he was struck by the unique architecture of the building, which was built in 1945 and which is located near the Interstate 95 interchange on Broadway, across from an Irving gas station."

The City records show the building has been vacant since about 2018. The BDN article mentions that Coleman has planned the timeframe of the move to take place after a proposed construction project to rework that interchange on the Broadway I95 ramp that's due to start within the next year.

In the meantime, the Portland Museum is still open, and according to his website, Coleman says the Bangor bookstore location is open on weekends.