The iconic Rooster Brother store on the bank of the Union River in downtown Ellsworth is for sale. Known as “The Store for Cooks and those Who Love Them,” Rooster Brother has one floor of specialty cookware, linens, and beautiful things for the home, and another floor of specialty food, wine, cheese, and a coffee roasting operation. This stately Victorian building in the Ellsworth Historic District with 200 ft of river frontage dates to 1893. “It’s amazing how much interest there is in a short period of time,” says Janet Moore, an agent with Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty. “It’s astounding. I’ve been a broker for 45 years and this has been one of my biggest surprises.” Moore and agent Laura Pellerano are representing the sellers, Pamela and George Elias, who started Rooster Brother 37 years ago. They were recently honored with the 2023 Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce Top Drawer Award, a testament to years of hard work and dedication to business and community. “They’re local people,” says Pellerano. “Pamela started a small housewares store and George joined in. It’s grown substantially over the years.” The property includes a 6,602 sq ft Victorian building dating to 1893, located in the Ellsworth Historic District, which was then the largest wooden building in the town and the Odd Fellows Hall. The scenic specialty shop and coffee roastery is nestled on .83 acres and features ample parking, a lawn with picnic tables, 200 feet of river frontage, and a summer traffic count of 18,000 vehicles per day. Many tourists stop in Rooster Brother on their way to nearby Acadia National Park.   Customers can select a cup of coffee from the exceptional selection of coffee roasted on-premises and then leisurely browse the floor of specialty cookware, linens, and beautiful things for the home, and another floor of specialty food, wine, and cheese. The third floor contains a commercial baking kitchen, inventory storage, and more retail space if needed. The turnkey operation has a solid base of returning customers, very strong financials, comprehensive retail systems, intellectual property, commercial kitchen equipment, and extensive inventory. The owners stocked specialty foods long before locals were able to simply order them on the internet, and always emphasized showcasing local products alongside gourmet items. “I can attest that if you get pecans there, they’re probably the freshest pecans you’ve ever had,” says Pellerano. “They test everything that comes through the store. They vet it and they do their research.” “They always treated their employees very well,” says Pellerano. The store has just over 20 employees. “They provide health insurance and retirement benefits. They’re a small employer, but they’re very concerned for their employees.” The Eliases decided to sell because it’s time to move on to other endeavors, says Pellerano. They will continue to operate the store throughout the sale process. “They really want somebody who will be a good steward for the business and continue it on,” Pellerano says. “They’re very consistent in what they do. That’s what people really like. They know they’re going to get the quality.” “They’re hoping they’ll find someone who’s as passionate about it as they are,” adds Jan Moore. The real estate and the business are offered together for $2,900,000. The business itself is offered at $1,800,000 (including inventory, intellectual property, and all equipment and systems in place) and the real estate is offered at $1,100,000. Queries are coming from local commercial brokers and a few potential buyers.