Welcome BACK to Heart of Ellsworth Eric Marichelle!
We are proud to announce that Eric will be the 2025 treasurer of the board
Eric has built a career centered around hospitality, operations, and strategic growth, always seeking ways to improve guest experiences and business performance. His entrepreneurial spirit led him through ventures in tax preparation, brewing, and hospitality, including owning and operating a historic inn with his wife, Stephanie.
After starting a family, Eric returned to his home state of Maine and became General Manager of the Bar Harbor Grand Hotel, where he refined his expertise in revenue management, business strategy, and team leadership. He continued to grow within the industry, taking on leadership roles as Portfolio Revenue & Project Manager, Director of Business Development, and now Director of Strategic Operations for a Maine-based hotel group.
The Promotion Committee positions the downtown district as the center of the community and hub of economic activity by coordinating and socializing community events that attract ideas, innovation, and people to the downtown district.
This committee works hand in hand with the other committees, Heart of Ellsworth board, staff, and area nonprofits.
Refinance Your Car or Recreational Vehicle Loan & Save Up to 2.00% APR
Do you still love your car, but not your car loan? It’s time to drive down your vehicle payment with Bangor Federal Credit Union.
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Whether it’s the wheels that take you to and from work, or that weekend toy, let the team at Bangor Federal put you in the driver’s seat with a rate that makes your budget happy.
For additional details and terms, visit our website, give us a call at 947-0374, or stop in to see any of the smiling faces at our locations in Ellsworth, Bangor, and Brewer.
Heart of Ellsworth is off to Main Street Now Conference in Philly PA!
Heart of Ellsworth and the City of Ellsworth planning for the Main Street Now Conference.
Heart of Ellsworth board and staff members will attend the 2025 Main Street Now Conference in Philadelphia for educational and network-building opportunities. These annual conferences aim to help local leaders enhance their communities' social, civic, and economic fabric.
Representing Ellsworth are City of Ellsworth representative Jeremy Smith, HoE Board President Karin Otto, Executive Director Cara Romano, and Program Coordinator Zabet NeuCollins. They will participate in sessions focused on the Healthy Main Street Movement, fostering connections and innovation.
Congratulations to our Downtown Grants recipients!
We’re thrilled to share the results of this year’s Downtown Grants Program! A heartfelt thank-you goes out to all of the incredible applicants who applied. Your passion, creativity, and commitment to shaping downtown Ellsworth is truly inspiring. After thoughtful review, we’re excited to announce this year’s grant recipients: Zi Photography, Ghost Rose Tattoo, and Conscious Cafe. Congratulations! Stay tuned as we share more about each applicant and their amazing projects in the coming weeks.
Thank you to our 2025 Downtown Grants sponsors: Franklin Savings Bank, Bangor Federal Credit Union, First National Bank, and Machias Savings Bank!
Save the Date: Seaweed & Main Street – A Flavorful Jane’s Walk Through Ellsworth
Maine Seaweed Week is coming to Ellsworth April 25 – May 4, and we’re celebrating with a special seaweed-themed Jane’s Walk on Saturday, May 3rd!
We’re thrilled that the 2025 Jane’s Walk aligns with Seaweed Week—giving us the perfect opportunity to highlight the powerful impact of seaweed on Maine’s food and wellness industries while promoting vibrant downtown businesses.
Join Heart of Ellsworth for a lively walking tour featuring local businesses using Maine seaweed in creative and delicious ways—from dulse-infused beer to kelp-based skincare. Hear directly from business owners, sample seaweed-inspired offerings, and discover the growing role of seaweed in Maine’s sustainable economy.
Sponsored by Maine Coast Sea Vegetables, this walk is part of a statewide celebration of Maine’s seaweed harvest and coincides with Jane’s Walk, a national festival of walking-based conversations.
Don’t miss this fun and flavorful stroll through downtown Ellsworth! More events are happening throughout downtown for Seaweed Week in Ellsworth, stay tuned for more info!
Bring Your Device to Lunch with Union River Center for Innovation at Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry
Thursday, April 3rd: 12 pm - 1:30 pm
This is one in a series of Bring Your Device to Lunch sessions. Bring your device and a brown bag lunch & tech coaches will help you get the most from your technology.
Making the Best First Impression: Invest in Your Customer Service
Friday, April 4th: 8:30 am - 10 am
Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce and Ellsworth Adult & Community Education are bringing a 4 session workshop on Customer Service starting April 4th, 8:30-10am.
Propelled by an award-winning score from Roger Miller, the king of country music, this jaunty journey provides a brilliantly theatrical celebration of pure Americana in this adaptation of Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.”
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The Ellsworth Public Library is pleased to partner with AMHC to host this presentation, marking the first collaboration of its kind between AMHC and a library in our region. During this presentation, you will learn about sexual assault services offered through AMHC, the spectrum of sexual violence and its impact on a person's life, the state of sexual violence in Maine, available resources, and what needs to be considered when supporting survivors.
Science Saturday topic for April is Amphibians. Join Maine Master Naturalist, Judy Walker to learn about Maine's amphibians. They will also be visiting the pond to look at some of the amphibians that call Woodlawn home.
Please join EHS for the Annual General Meeting of the Historical Society on Monday evening, April 14, at 7 p.m. in the lower level of the Ellsworth Public Library. The event is free of charge and members as well as the public are encouraged to attend.Two officers will give presentations on the online search for ancestors and the digitization of materials in a community archive called History Trust.
Ellsworth Community Music Institute (ECMI) offers its next Midday Concert at 1:00 pm on Friday, April 25 with a 4-hand piano program performed by pianists Michael Coonrod and Danny Holt.
Help clean up the very important tributary of the Union River! Participants will meet at the Hannaford parking lot in Ellsworth to register, enter the raffle, and receive further directions.
EHS will host the Summer Job and Volunteer Fair in the gym. This event is open to all EHS students and provides an excellent opportunity to showcase employment and volunteer openings in our community.
Congrats to Ghost Rose Tattoo on their new space in the historical Beals Jewelry Store building at 95 Main Street! We love seeing more artists in Downtown Ellsworth!
City of Ellsworth Hiring
Boating season is right around the corner! We're looking for someone to fill the role of Boat Launch Attendant. This is a great option for someone who is looking for a seasonal position with flexible hours.
