The Dirt Store Named Poland's 2022 Business of the Year

The Poland Community and Economic Development Committee is pleased to announce that The Dirt Store has been selected as the Town of Poland 2022 Business of the Year. 

The Dirt Store—located at 112 Mechanic Falls Road in Poland, Maine—is more than just what the name says it is. 

Owner Jeff Morin moved to Poland as a young adult from Lewiston, Maine, and has since found the town and community within it to be all the reason to stay. After discovering a knack for sales and delivery in his teens, Morin graduated to trucking and excavation soon after living on his own. This experience led him to go self-employed with his first business, J.M. Morin Trucking, in 2000. Just a few years later, he started J.M. Morin Earthworks, Inc. in 2003, and officially incorporated the business in 2013.

Having been jokingly referred to as “The Dirt Store” for years, Morin tells us, when it officially came time to name the retail location in 2021—the answer was obvious. The Dirt Store, as one would expect, specializes in, well—dirt. Garden soil, super soil, compost, bark mulch, sand, gravel, and more are offered to those looking to complete home & construction projects of all shapes and sizes. 

“We love that our customers range from experienced contractors who need materials for their customers to great-great-grandmothers who need mulch for their churches. We treat them all like friends (many of them become friends!) and enjoy seeing people come back project after project, year after year.”
-Jeff Morin, President of J.M. Earthworks Inc, & The Dirt Store

Having had a history of being close with his family and their family-run businesses growing up, Morin says that The Dirt Store is very much a “family-oriented business.” Many of the team members there have been family members and those who are not are treated as though they always have been. “Employees are one of the most important aspects of this business; they are not just team players but true ‘Dirt Store’ and community advocates.” 

And as a result, the staff at The Dirt Store delivers excellent, knowledgeable customer service. They pride themselves on helping their fellow community members with their projects, no matter the season, and make informed decisions when necessary to ensure the customer is on the best path toward success. This has led to long-lasting friendships among Dirt Store employees and the community they serve year-round. “Even those who have retired or moved on have remained friends and stop in frequently.”

The Dirt Store donates materials to local school groups (fundraisers, school gardens, community projects), as well as many non-profit organizations such as churches, summer camps, trail clubs, nutrition centers, and more. Most recently the business sponsored the Town of Poland’s Christmas tree for the Christmas in Poland festivities. 

The Dirt Store is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm on Saturdays, and is closed on Sundays. They can be contacted directly at (207) 689-3478, or at jmmorin.com.