Ellis Family Market grand opening is a hit

Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
QUICK CUT — Albert Ellis cuts the ceremonial red ribbon as part of the grand re-opening for the Ellis Family Market in Patten that nearly doubled the store’s square footage. Behind him, from left, are: Albert Roy, meat manager; Peter Ellis, son and co-owner;  Louise Ellis, wife; Jon Ellis son and co-owner; and Laura Kenney, bookkeeper.
By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    PATTEN — The Ellis Family Market grand re-opening brought out business associates, family, friends and customers for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, bargains and customer appreciation giveaways last Thursday.
    The $1 million-plus renovation means more products and maybe even more customers for the store’s long history in Patten. Tammy Allen, a deli worker who has been with the store for 10 years said her department, has expanded like the rest of the store. “We have more salads and lunch meats. We’ve been pretty busy.” Nikki Landry, shopping with her daughter Mickenzie, 3, said she shops “probably just about every day” and likes seeing “more variety.”
Expansion brings in customers
    Matthew Moore, point-of sale supervisor and nighttime manager, said “it’s pretty great. The renovation  brought in a lot of crowds. We’ve been pretty busy. We’ve added a lot of products. Probably, people aren’t going as far away. The ones who are nearby are sticking closer to home.”
    Jim Mclean, retired director of wholesale operations for Hannaford said he had lobbied on behalf of the Ellis Family Market “when they were supplied by another wholesaler and looking to be supplied by Hannaford. I negotiated with them and it’s been a great fit for them and for us.” Dave Duley, director of independent operations for Hannaford added: “Clearly Peter and Jon are two owners who will take a larger store and grow into it and do a great job servicing the community.”
Support from family and friends
    If the renovation was a hit with customers and staff, it was a grand slam for family members. Albert Ellis cut the ceremonial red ribbon to mark the big occasion that goes on with sales and giveaways through Saturday. He sold the store to sons Peter and Jon more than a decade ago. The elder Ellis said: “I’m very proud of them. They’ve done a whale of a job to get this done. And, I’m really pleased to see the people who are here.” His wife, Louise Ellis, was overjoyed and seemed the embodiment of the store’s tag line: “A smile in every aisle came from us in the ’80s.”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
FAMILY AFFAIR — Dean Clukey and wife Donna have a few last laughs with son-in-law Peter, center, before returning to Houlton from the newly renovated Ellis Family Market. Behind them is the recently completed mural of Mt. Katahdin by popular local artist Donna Chase.
    Peter Ellis’ mother-in-law, Donna Clukey, traveled from Houlton with her husband Dean to show her support. “I think they are amazing. They have worked day and night and it sure paid off. I’m so proud of them. And, it’s wonderful for Patten.”
    David Cunha, owner of County Yankee in Houlton was there and the Ellis family referred to him as the “fourth son.” Cunha said he had worked “for Al Ellis since he owned the store. It’s incredible. I remember when Al first started. He took it one step from the older store when he built the new store in 1988. And, now Jon and Peter have taken it another step further.”
    Peter Ellis reflected on the changes and said, “it’s really nice to see a lot of support and friendly faces and nice to see my dad get out. I’m very excited and proud. It’s nice to have the opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to the many people who have given us the opportunity to do what we  have done.”
Customer service
    Although Patten is a small town, Peter Ellis said they try to avoid the small town mentality especially since they have what he called the benefit of a partnership with Hannaford.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
IT’S A STRETCH — Mickenzie Landry, 3, tries to enter a slip for prizes after her mother Nikki Landry had filled it out. Mickenzie was already a winner of a free pinwheel and chips at the Ellis Family Market re-opening in Patten.
    “If somebody wants something, why shouldn’t they be able to get it. That was my parents’ strong suit. My father always preached if you take care of the customers, they will take care of you. And, we always felt that’s what we need to do — take care of the customers. And, if it’s one item that keeps a customer coming here, we’ll get that one item,” said Ellis.