Supported by Maine Downtown Center's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Grant
Martha Bentley of Proprietor, Molly DiLena of Union River Book & Toy Co. and Janna Richards, Economic Development Director of the City of Ellsworth during the event, "So You Want To Buy A Business" on March 27th.
If you've been on Main Street the last couple of months, you might've have noticed there is a flurry of activity in the old J.B. Atlantic Building, next to the Franklin Street Parklet. This retail space is an anchor of our Main Street community!
The activity in this building is the work of Katina Stanwood, Matt Manry and Leslie Harlow, who will be respectively running their own businesses in the building: Black Moon Public House, Vinyl Vogue, a vinyl-record store, and Trio, a retail store featuring handcrafted jewelry, upcycled goods, and Maine gifts. Together, they are creating a community gathering spot where people can seamlessly browse, shop, and get food and drinks and enjoy music.
We are excited to see this space filled with vibrant energy. The Newberry Exchange will open later this month; we hope to see you all there! In the meantime, you can read more in-depth coverage of this exciting project in the Bangor Daily News, courtesy of local writer Bill Trotter. Click here to read more.
Heart of Ellsworth is proud to announce the launch of the bi-annual 2024 Bricks & Clicks program, made possible by the generous sponsorship of Machias Savings Bank! This initiative empowers small businesses to grow by providing personalized support through one-on-one meetings with seasoned consultants. The best part? Participation is completely FREE for downtown businesses and area entrepreneurs until all consulting slots are filled.
We are asking you, our subscribers, and small business owners to actively shape this year's program by sharing your business needs. What areas do you envision for your business's growth and refinement in 2024 and beyond?
Let us know by participating in this brief survey. You can also reach out to us directly via email.
Do you own a historic building or property? For those who want to learn more about protecting Ellsworth’s oldest and most unique buildings while rehabilitating and preserving them for generations to come, please join Brad Miller, Preservation Manager with statewide non-profit, Maine Preservation, for the final workshop in a series on historic preservation.
Making Old Places New Again April 25th, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm, Ellsworth Public Library
While old buildings have literally stood the test of time, many require alterations and improvements to meet contemporary needs (and code!). This session will provide an overview of straightforward rehabilitation activities like repointing brick walls and restoring windows, as well as the integration of new systems to meet economic and climate resilience goals.
Monday, April 22nd, 8 AM – 9:30 AM
Ellsworth Public Library
Are you feeling overwhelmed with the complexities of the hiring process and the latest in employee obligations? You're not alone. This workshop is designed to demystify the legal aspects of bringing new talent into your team and keeping your policies up-to-date and compliant. Here’s what will be covered:
Smart Hiring: Learn the ins and outs of using applications correctly, conducting background checks, and ensuring your employee handbooks are not just current but also legally sound.
Navigating Leave Laws: Learn about the maze of leave laws—from FMLA and EPL to ADA accommodations – and how they impact both your new and short-term employees.
This seminar is your roadmap to confidently managing the legalities of hiring and integrating new employees into your organization. Tailored for business owners, managers, and HR professionals, this session promises practical advice and insights to keep you ahead of the curve.
Join the Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce and Rudman Winchell Counselors at Law for a morning of learning, networking, and empowering your business to thrive in a challenging legal landscape. Reserve your spot for an invaluable session that promises to clarify, simplify, and demystify the legal obligations of today's employers.
Come create in downtown Ellsworth! Eight separate artist studios for rent. Shops, eateries, the Ellsworth public library, and a scenic walking trail along the Union River surround this space for creating. Embrace the opportunity to join a vibrant creative community in a flourishing downtown. With heat, electricity, and internet included, you can focus solely on your studio practice. First, last, and security deposit required. This new community aims to support professional artists who seek to make a living from their craft. Contact (207) 479 5011 (text only) to schedule a viewing and make downtown Ellsworth your next studio location.
MAIN ST. OFFICES FOR RENT
194 Main St. Second Floor Office Space Available - 10x12 with shared bath just outside the door. Heat, electric, sign space, off-street parking, dumpster use with a great Downtown Location!
Main St. Offices near Franklin St. in a historic downtown building. Freshly painted two-room suite with windows and skylights. Bright, sunny with a shared atrium common area and shared restroom. Easy walk to cafes, library, and shopping. The office is perfect for professionals or health care providers. The second floor suite includes heat, electricity, internet, and cleaning of the common area. $750 per month.
Do you have space in downtown Ellsworth that is available to rent? Please email us and we'll include it here!
Local Credit Unions
Community credit unions are essential for fostering financial inclusivity. They are member-owned cooperatives, prioritizing personalized service and community reinvestment.
Bangor Federal Credit Union states, "At its most basic level, a credit union is people pooling their money to provide each other with affordable loans. It is literally people helping people. Credit unions empower people, wherever they are in the world or life, to take control of their financial future."
In Ellsworth, we have three local credit unions. Click on each logo to view their website!
Union River Center for Innovation
Did you know Ellsworth has it own business incubator? Teaming up with the City of Ellsworth, the Union River Center for Innovation has a groundbreaking business incubator program for Maine startups. Here, tenants receive the space and backing they need to thrive. Their on-site support includes office spaces, entrepreneurial networks, and personalized coaching, all within a diverse and supportive community environment.
SCORE Maine hosts affordable small business workshops -- both online webinars and live, in-person. You can find everything you need to know to start a business or discover tools to help your small business grow
The CEI Women’s Business Center is a home for women who want to start or grow their own business in Maine. They offer courses, cohorts, workshops, and events which encourage peer-to-peer learning and community building, as well as 1:1 business advising support.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS/COHORTS
Automate IT - Tuesdays, April 23rd - June 18th: 8:30 - 10am
OTHER UPCOMING WORKSHOPS BY CEI Women's Business Center: Owning & Managing Rental Properties on April 25 | Home Buyer's Education Live Webinar on April 27
In the last episode of season two of Main Street Business Insights, tune in as host Matt Wagner breaks down how to understand and synthesize local market data.
While market understanding can feel daunting, it’s not only a purely data-driven exercise. While data plays a crucial role, effective market analysis goes beyond just crunching numbers. It’s a blend of science and art, requiring a deep understanding of your community, its needs, key drivers, and the broader context of how it functions as a place where consumers, visitors, locals and small businesses and organizations converge.
In the episode, Matt explains his philosophy for market analysis, how to transform data interpretation into effective strategy, and the importance of local contexts.
