Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 10 : Fall 2011 | Page 72

A Fort Kent Landmark

For nearly 130 years Nadeau’s House of Furniture
has been a landmark on Fort Kent’s Main Street. Samuel
Stevens originally built it in 1882 as a general store. Over
the years, it has operated under several different names and
is one of Fort Kent’s oldest businesses.

to expand the business to include hardware, lumber,
appliances, sporting goods and propane. In 1953, Alphee
sold the business to Roland. In 1970, Roland’s son Barnard,
also a licensed embalmer, joined the business making this
the third generation of Nadeaus in the funeral business.

The Nadeau Years

The Labbe Years

In 1892, Cleophas and Esdras Nadeau acquired
the store. They were carpenters and furniture makers by
trade who immigrated to the Fort Kent area from Quebec
province. After Esdras’ death in 1896, Cleophas operated
the business as a general store under the name “C. Nadeau.”
As was the custom with most furniture makers of their
day, they also made coffins, This lead to the expansion into
the funeral and undertaking business. Esdras’ son Alphee
joined his uncle in 1914 as a licensed funeral director and
embalmer and eventually purchased the business in 1928.
In the mid forties Alphee’s son Roland, also a licensed
embalmer, joined the business. At that time it was know
as “Alphee J. Nadeau & Sons.” Together they continued

In 1968, Ellery “Arms” Labbe started working for
the Nadeau family. In the early 70’s, Ellery successfully
introduced furniture and flooring lines to the business.
During this period of time, Ellery’s three sons David, Pat
and Phil became Nadeau employees.

In 1976, Ellery acquired the business from Roland’s
wife Loretta, and at that time the business became known
as “Nadeau’s House of Furniture.”

In 1995, David bought out the flooring portion
of the business and began operating as “Nadeau’s House
of Flooring.” Many of his manufacturers date back 30
plus years. They include Congoleum®, Mannington®,
Armstrong, Formica® and Quick-Step®.

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Fort Kent Landmark FALL 2011