Small Business Saturday - November 30th Shop small and shop local this Small Business Saturday, November 30th, in Downtown Ellsworth. Discover unique gifts, enjoy the festive atmosphere, and support our local businesses. Don’t miss the City of Ellsworth Tree Lighting from 3–5 PM at the City Hall Parking Lot. Let’s make it a day to remember.
Thank You to Our Downeast Cider + Cheese Festival Vendors!
November is a big month for Heart of Ellsworth due to our annual Downeast Cider & Cheese Festival, and we did not do a business highlight for this month’s newsletter. Instead, we want to highlight all the Ellsworth businesses who participated in the festival – thank you for supporting Heart of Ellsworth!
We'd also like to take the opportunity to thank Franklin Savings Bank. This is the second year in a row that they have been our lead sponsor -- as a local bank, they understanding the importance of lifting small businesses up. We are very excited that they are building a branch in downtown on State Street.
Fogtown produces small-batch craft beer, cider & wine local to Ellsworth. Their ciders are crafted using all Maine-grown fruits including locally foraged heritage varieties.
Colvard & Co. produces artisan sausages featuring creative flavor combinations and the highest quality ingredients, with special attention given to locally sourced components. Their commitment to quality has only enhanced their reputation over the years.
On the Horizon Bakery is a mobile commercial kitchen based in Ellsworth, offering fresh desserts, pastries, hot breakfast, and coffee to the community! They have been featured in the Food Network Tastemade+ TV Show titled: 'From Scratch' - the focus being community-to-table food using fresh, local ingredients, and have also been published in a multitude of prints from local Ellsworth papers to MaineBiz to national magazines such as AFAR, and Travel + Leisure.
The Conscious Cafe fosters community and connection through conscious food and living. Continuing the legacy of Steamy Buddha Cafe, Jesse Steiger has taken the helm to carry forward its tradition of offering wholesome, nourishing food and a welcoming space for all. The Conscious Cafe remains a hub for gathering, sharing, and embracing conscious living in the heart of the community.
And we also had the Black Sheep Food Truckparked out back! The Black Sheep Food Truck serves your favorite handhelds with an elevated twist.
A huge thanks to ALL of our vendors. We had more than 300 people visit Ellsworth for the Downeast Cider & Cheese Festival -- it was a smashing success. Are you interested in vending at next year's Cider & Cheese Festival? Reach out to us to get on our vendor list. We look forward to an even bigger and better event next year!
Make a meaningful impact in your community with no extra cost or effort! Through the Dream First Community Program, First National Bank donates a portion of their profits from every purchase made with a First National Bank debit card at your business to local food pantries.
It’s simple, impactful, and costs your business nothing. As a DFC member, your business will be featured on First National Bank's social media, showing your support for combating food insecurity—whether you are a customer or not.
Interested in joining? Contact First National today to learn more!
CITY OF ELLSWORTH - 2035 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The City of Ellsworth has completed the Ellsworth 2035 Comprehensive Plan—our first new roadmap in over 20 years! Developed with input from a dedicated steering committee, City staff, councilors, and consultants BerryDunn and Woodard & Curran, this plan tackles Ellsworth’s key challenges while preserving the unique qualities that define our community. Explore how this vision for the future could impact your business and the opportunities it creates for growth.
The Annual Tree Lighting will be November 30 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the City Hall Parking lot. Vendors, including nonprofits, are welcome to join the event.
Contact community organizer Kim Fitch for more information and to sign up: 207-812-0172 or soxgirl247@gmail.com.
CALL FOR ARTIST & MAKER'S
Heart of Ellsworth will host a three-day Holiday Makerspace at 16 State Street, featuring local artisans and businesses, from December 19th through 21st. Sponsored by First National Bank, the market will be open from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday and Friday, and from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Saturday.
If you're interested in selling at this market, please email or call 207-812-4164 for more info.
LEADERSHIP HANCOCK COUNTY
The Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce that Jim Boothby of Ellsworth will be facilitating the 2025 Leadership Hancock County (LHC) Program, which kicks off on January 21, 2025. Leadership Hancock County has been providing impactful leadership development to business leaders and professionals in the region for over a decade, with the aim of enhancing both the economy and the quality of life in Hancock County.
Leadership Hancock County is designed to help participants explore their own leadership styles and develop the skills necessary to lead effectively in the workplace and the community. The program emphasizes leadership in action, with each cohort shaping its own understanding of leadership based on a series of interactive sessions and real-world learning experiences.
Applications for the 2025 Leadership Hancock County program are now being accepted. The deadline for applications is January 10, 2025, and slots are limited. Interested individuals are encouraged to email the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce at Kburpee@ellsworthchamber.org for more information or to apply.
Located in the heart of Downtown Ellsworth at 6 State Street, this 300-square-foot office space is perfect for small businesses or private workspaces. The 2nd floor space features a restroom and a convenient kitchenette, providing everything you need to work efficiently. Enjoy the charm of a central downtown location with easy access to nearby amenities.
Call 207-479-5011 for more information.
2nd Floor Office Spaces for Rent in Downtown
194 Main St.
Three spaces available:
10x12 office space for $200/mo
16x16 space for $287/mo
A larger space is also available
All three can be rented for the entire floor for your business.
Included is heat, electric, sign space, off-street parking, and a great downtown location.
Located in the heart of downtown Ellsworth, this 9,425 sq. ft. property includes two connected historic buildings with architectural charm and riverfront access. Highlights include a third-floor ballroom with original domed tin ceiling, tin walls, fireplaces, and unique curved interior and exterior walls. The ground floor houses a successful restaurant tenant, with ample office spaces above, plus storage and attic space with exposed brick and framing. The property offers 80 feet on the Union River and is steps from the River Walk, presenting a rare investment opportunity to blend history with vibrant downtown growth.
Ellsworth Adult & Community Education is a program of Ellsworth Schools, a department of the City of Ellsworth, and is generously funded and operated by the school district.
UPCOMING COURSES
Google Drive: Get it Organized! - Dec. 3 & 10, 4 pm - Learn how to use Microsoft Drive to create and save files, work across devices, and stay organized.
Microsoft Excel Advanced - Dec. 5, 8:30 am (runs for 3 weeks) - Learn how to hide data, split and freeze a window, create ranges, understand the name manager, learn additional functions, copy and paste special, sort data, and learn the power of filters.
Ellsworth Adult & Community Education Center
11 Avery Lane
Ellsworth, ME 04605 View all of their business course offeringshere.
SCORE Maine hosts affordable small business workshops -- both online webinars and live, in-person. Find everything you need to know to start a business and discover tools to help your small business grow.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Know Your Ideal Customer: Market Research - November 21st, 12 pm- In today's competitive business landscape, effective marketing is essential for success, but it can be challenging, especially when you're working with a limited budget.
Sales for Solo Entrepreneurs - December 3rd, 6 pm- Do you ever seize up at the thought of having to sell? Suffer from imposter syndrome or a little call reluctance? This workshop will put you in a whole new headspace regarding selling.
How to Join a Maine Farmer's Market - December 9, 10 am - Dreaming of selling your fresh, locally-grown produce or handcrafted goods at a Maine farmer's market? Attend this workshop!
Other workshops in December include information on temp contractors, QuickBooks, and and key aspects of funding your businesses. For a list of all upcoming events and workshops, click here.
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.
Effective Email Marketing for your Business - December 3, 10 - 11 am - Learn about the different email marketing platforms available, the dos and don’ts of email marketing and creating a marketing plan to show off your product or service with email.
Other workshops in December include topics on competitive pricing, financial projections, and navigating tax season. For a list of these, and all upcoming events and workshops, click here.
Applications Open for Maine Center for Entrepreneurs 2025 Top Gun Class
The Top Gun program is designed specifically for the entrepreneur with a desire to grow their business and achieve long-term success through the use of the right tools, resources, and related mentorship. MCE has taken the time to develop strong business partnerships and to acquire loyal sponsorships which allow us to provide Maine entrepreneurs with the programing, mentorship, training, and knowledge they need to grow and succeed.
Applications for the 2025 Top Gun Class are open October 1st – November 22: Apply Here
Artist Grants Available
Application Closing Soon
The Kindling Fund
Grant Application Deadline November 24
The Kindling Fund awards project grants ranging from $3,000 - $7,000 (with smaller Research and Development Grants) to Maine-based artists of all career levels, who organize projects that engage audiences and the visual arts in inventive and meaningful ways. The Kindling Fund values and uplifts artistic collaboration (or collaboration with community in meaningful ways), applicants seeking support at $5,500-$7,000 must have at least one stated core collaborator. This is the eleventh year of grantmaking for the Kindling Fund!
APPLICATIONS ARE DUE SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24th, 2024 at 11:59pm
Notifications will be made in January 2025.
New England Venture Summit
December 10-11, 2024
Hilton | Boston Dedham
Whether you’re a startup seeking capital and exposure, or an investor seeking new deals, the New England Venture Summit, presented by youngStartup Ventures, is one event you won’t want to miss.
There's still time to get your tickets! Early bird pricing ends on Nov. 21.
Thank you for reading this edition of the Ellsworth Business Pulse!
Check out our Business Benefits page for more information on how we can support your business!
