A group’s move will leave a rare vacancy in downtown Ellsworth

An organization is moving out of downtown Ellsworth, creating a rare vacancy along the city’s bustling Main Street.
Eagle’s Nest Clubhouse, which has been located at 190 Main St. for the past five years, plans to move to a larger building on High Street by the end of the year. The agency, which provides some support services to people struggling with mental health, is moving to a space that has more available space and parking.
The move is notable because it is creating a vacancy on Main Street, where real estate has been hard to come by in recent years as downtown retail space, offices, and apartments have become highly sought after. Ellsworth’s downtown has enjoyed a revival in the past decade as many privately owned shopping malls — which once were accused of killing downtowns nationwide — are struggling to stay afloat.
Downtown Ellsworth, where a “Hopeful” sign by Maine artist Charlie Hewitt was recently erected on top of the Tracy Building, has received national recognition for the efforts by local leaders to make it a vibrant economic and cultural gathering place for the Down East region.
The parking lot at Eagle’s Nest Clubhouse, though small by many standards, hosts the seasonal Ellsworth Farmer’s Market on Saturdays from April through November. The building, located directly next to John Edwards’ Market, served as a local office for Hancock Oil and then for Acadia Realty Group before Bangor-based OHI opened the clubhouse there in 2019.
Alice Grindle, clubhouse director, said that the agency is moving to 412 High St., directly next to the new Ellsworth police station, because it needs more room. The group has 38 clients who receive services that are aimed at helping them become more independent and self-sufficient, though it does not provide clinical counseling.
Its new space will have better accessibility for people with physical disabilities, Grindle said, and more room for clients to gather and socialize, which helps boost their mental health.
“It’s about empowerment,” Grindle said. “The move will be good for us. We’ve outgrown this space. The rooms are really small.”
She said the clubhouse plans to be in its new space, and out of the Main Street building, by Jan. 1.