Popular Maine Animal Man, Mr. Drew, Looking For New Digs

"I never planned any of this. I never expected this to become what it is, but now I see it and say it could be so much more."

Despite getting some devastating news, one local animal rescuer and educator is trying to keep the hope, and his vision for the future alive.

For the past 2 years, an unusual exhibit, geared around hands-on Natural Science and exotic animal rescue, called Mr. Drew And His Animals Too, has occupied a large store inside the Lewiston Mall.

But his time in this space is unexpectedly coming to an end.

The usually jovial Drew Desjardins, known to most as Mr. Drew, was more serious than he usually is, delivering the news to his supporters via a 17-minute video online.

"If you're seeing this video, then you saw the headline on our post which states we are closing our doors. It is not an April Fool's joke. It is true, we are closing our doors. We have to leave the mall by July 31st"

Unfortunately, this is not the first time Mr. Drew has been in such a predicament. A few years back he was given very little notice that he needed to vacate another space, Pepperell Mill in Biddeford. That's how he ended up in the mall in the first place.

This time, however, he had grown the business from a few thousand visitors to over 50-thousand through his doors, in just one year. And he had plans to expand, which will now need to be put on hold.

"50-thousand people in one year is nothing to sneeze at... I never expected it I never thought. I mean, when we had a little over 7-thousand people at our old place, wow, we thought that was great! To do 50-thousand people in one year, here, shows we have a successful business model. We have what people are looking for in a very unique way. I know my biggest fans, the children, are happy when they come here. So we want to continue that and grow that."

Drew says he and his board are actively looking at options for alternative locations and methods of funding. He says the center will stay open until the end of June.

He was told the mall management has plans to renovate the space and make it into a larger storefront.

In the meantime, he and his crew are looking for ways to still honor some of their bookings by possibly sending animals and staff to locations like summer camps and such, instead of having them come to the mall in July.

"Mr. Drew will be doing all his scheduled presentations and the Education Center will be business as usual until Monday, June 30th, 2025. We are working on options for all July and August cancellations at the center to still provide them educational opportunities at their facilities and Mr. Drew will still be hosting the Maine Reptile Expo at The Colisée in Lewiston on Sunday, August 3rd."

"We'll adapt. We'll change. We'll survive. And because of you, we will thrive. We always thrive because of you."

Drew says he will update his website with the latest information on how folks can help, and what the plans will be going forward.

There's also a gofundme site set up to help raise some funds, as well.