Mainebiz

V O L . X X X I I N O. X I M AY 1 8 , 2 0 2 6 28 S M A L L B U S I N E S S O n a recent Friday, Gabrielle Conners, the owner of Chloe's Café in downtown Ellsworth, was dolloping dough onto a pan to bake mini-scones for a catering gig. e air is infused with delicious bakery aromas. It's an inviting setting — a cozy spot with a dining area and the kitchen open to view, part of a short strip of eateries and retailers on Water Street, across from the Union River. Opening a year ago, it quickly attracted custom- ers for breakfast and lunch, delivery and on-site and off-site catering — one of the latest small businesses to spring up in downtown Ellsworth over the past couple of years, including eateries and retail that add to an existing collection of things to do and places to go for local residents and visitors. "It feels like Ellsworth is shifting from a pass-through service center — and in part, it is that — to a destination with its own identity and momen- tum and increased activity," says Twila Fisher, the city's director of economic development. Downtown vitality e city is a year-round commu- nity and an important service center for Hancock County. As a cross- roads for some of the state's biggest tourist attractions, Ellsworth, with a population of 8,800, is en route to Acadia National Park, Bangor, the Downeast and midcoast regions and the Blue Hill and Schoodic peninsu- las and Deer Isle. e city is also near assets like airports, higher education, health care systems and recreational opportunities. A downtown advocacy organiza- tion called Heart of Ellsworth has been working with the city and other partners to enhance the downtown's economic vitality. "We're leaving phase one and enter- ing phase two," says Cara Romano, Heart of Ellsworth's executive director. "Phase 1 was about events, place-mak- ing and identity-creation. Now we're working with the city on real structural change, like housing and space inven- tory, marketability, capital investments and land use." Historic designation Recent economic development activi- ties include achieving designation as a Main Street America community in 2024. is year, the downtown district received National Register of Historic Places designation. "is designation is an impor- tant step in strengthening Ellsworth's downtown as an economic and cultural center," Charlie Pearce, the city man- ager, has said. "It creates new oppor- tunities for investment, supports our local property owners through access to historic tax credits and reinforces the value of preserving the character that makes Ellsworth unique." e historic district consists of 44 buildings, of which 38 contribute to the district's historic character. e national designation is considered key in posi- tioning Hancock County's largest city, for economic and cultural growth. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y H E A R T O F E L L S WO R T H P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y C I T Y O F E L L S WO R T H Ellsworth's downtown upswing New eateries, venues and shops enhance the city as a destination B y L a u r i e S c h r e i b e r Chloe's Café owner Gabrielle Conners says her business is thriving with breakfast and lunch customers, delivery and on-site and off-site catering. Downtown Ellsworth has been designated on the National Register of Historic Places. One of the biggest opportunities we have in Ellsworth is within our existing buildings. — Twila Fisher City of Ellsworth Twila Fisher F O C U S P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F B L A C K M O O N P U B L I C H O U S E

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