CHERRYFIELD — Maine agriculture officials say they are disappointed in a federal decision to exclude wild blueberries from a program that would provide direct payments to struggling growers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture denied an application from the Maine Department of Agriculture and Forestry to include wild blueberries in the Market Facilitation Program which, according …
ELLSWORTH — The Blue Hill Co-op has specialized in organic, local and natural products for 45 years. And now, it’s offering those goods in a shiny new, energy-efficient space. The new store, at 70 South St., opened July 27. There is triple the square footage for retail space compared to the old store at 4 …
ELLSWORTH — The sunny, (very) warm weather may have resulted in a few hot and cranky residents, but it’s been great for one thing: testing solar panels on the roof of Fogtown Brewing Co. that were installed last week. The panels, installed by Sundog Solar, are expected to provide roughly 73 percent of the brewery’s …
CHERRYFIELD — The Ark has a new leader. Instead of preparing for a flood, however, Shaina Mugford plans to recruit helpers for the Cherryfield-based animal shelter. “One of my goals is to put together a stronger volunteer base,” said Mugford, who began her duties July 1. Right now, the shelter has about a half dozen …
ELLSWORTH — The Ellsworth American is gearing up for a planned renovation and expansion of its Printing House Square building located off Water Street. The modernized facility will consolidate the newspaper’s operations under one roof. In anticipation of the move, The American’s other downtown location, a stately, three-story, brick building at 30 Water St., has …
MACHIAS — For two area couples, a historic building in Machias came with a bonus. “We bought the building and the store just kind of came with it,” said Isaiah Roberts, one of four people to purchase the iconic white building at 25 Main Street, from which former owner Michael Hoyt’s family had operated Machias …
ELLSWORTH — The restaurant business is a notoriously difficult one, with thin profit margins and high start-up costs. So sticking around for 40 years is a feat, and staff at The Mex plan to celebrate their accomplishment for a good long time: “40 days for 40 years,” said General Manager Aziza Daigle. “We’ll be having …
ORLAND — Hancock County Habitat for Humanity will be relocating its administrative offices to the Orland Community Center by September. The nonprofit’s board of directors announced earlier this year that it would close its Ellsworth ReStore location effective mid-August. Executive Director Kelley Ellsworth said the decision will allow the organization to better focus on its …
ELLSWORTH — Chummies Bar, a neighborhood watering hole on Franklin Street known for its open mic and karaoke, closed its doors on May 31. “After some careful consideration and introspection, I have decided to step away from the bar business,” owner Gabe Wood wrote in a Facebook post in April. “I will be entertaining serious …
ELLSWORTH — Hannaford Supermarket & Pharmacy will hold festivities Fridays through Sundays from June 7 through 28 to celebrate its recent $3.9-million makeover. The renovations, including an updated pharmacy and expansion of fresh food options, began last August. Bangor-based architecture firm WBRC oversaw the project. “We are very happy to be able to offer such …
BROOKLIN — Good news for drivers in Brooklin and its surrounding environs: the gas pumps at the Brooklin General Store are once again dispensing fuel. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection on May 28 granted the store a three-month extension for its existing single-wall fuel tanks. The underground fuel storage tanks, which belong to R.L. …
