Ellsworth chamber honors business

ELLSWORTH – The 53rd annual Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce dinner on Thursday recognized area businesses, old and new, who have had a front row seat to tremendous growth in Hancock County’s hub.

The Top Drawer Award, a sort of business-of-the-year honor, went to Morrison Chevrolet, whose business in the Route 1-Route 3 triangle area has seen a large part of that growth.

Bud Morrison, who has been a past president of the chamber, said the award is a validation not only for his many employees but for the customers as well.

“This chamber, when I started, didn’t even have an office,” Morrison said at the gathering in the Holiday Inn on High Street. “Now it’s really become a great resource for the city in bringing people to Ellsworth.”

Contrasted with the longevity of Morrison Chevrolet was Richard McMullen, a 22-year-old from Lamoine who started his own lawn care business and was named the chamber’s new business of the year.

“I was very surprised,” said McMullen, who also gets extra credit for having a cool name, Lawn Enforcement. “I joined last year really as a way to network and get involved, and it’s paid off so far.”

Many of McMullen’s clients are summer residents of the many coastal Hancock County towns.

The Maine Grind, a coffee shop and meeting place on Main Street, was honored with the chamber’s revitalization award for its efforts in preserving the eclectic nature of Ellsworth’s downtown. Shap and Lois Shapazian received the director’s award.

Longtime city leader Gary Fortier, a self-employed electrician, was named citizen of the year by the chamber for his tireless efforts on the Ellsworth City Council and other local committees.

“I was raised in a family that really valued community service,” Fortier said, then joked, “I hope they don’t expect me to stop now.”

Micki Sumpter, executive director of the chamber, said the past year, despite its struggles, has been a good one for the city of Ellsworth and area businesses.

“Moving forward, we’re really focused on retaining our members, but we’re also doing our best to reach out to new businesses,” she said.