ELLSWORTH — Rooster Brother, the store for cooks and the people who love them, is celebrating its 25th anniversary on June 19.

Rooster Brother has simply everything one might need in the kitchen or on the table, including the wine, coffee and cheese, not to mention chocolate, hand-cut steaks, handmade sausage, cold salads and baked goods.

Owners George and Pamela Elias attribute their success to customers, employees and the growth in all things food-related.

“First of all, we have wonderful people working for us who just give terrific customer service and keep the store looking beautiful, so people like coming back here,” said George Elias. “We have a tremendous amount of repeat business.”

Pamela Elias said, “People from away are surprised that a town this size can support this business, and are also surprised to hear that we are open all year. I love to tell them that our busiest month is December.”

George also cited the “huge growth and interest in cooking and food.” Every cooking show is an advertisement for the store, he said.

Rooster Brother is proof that passion breeds success.

“We’ve always been interested in food,” Pamela said. “We really liked coffee. We wanted to get into that and learn how to do it.”

Before Rooster Brother was born, Pamela had a bread-baking business at home for years.

George had been a builder and had a realization on a roof one December that he wanted to do something else, Pamela said.

ANNIVERSARY WEEK EVENTS

Rooster Brother is holding several special events the week of June 18-23 to mark its 25th anniversary, which is June 19.

The shop has a cart piled high of kitchen goodies, including a J.A. Henckels knife set, kitchen appliances, cookbooks, textiles and more, all of which will be given away. Drawings will be held daily.

Wednesday, June 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Brooklin chef Diane Bianco, author of “Let’s Party in Maine,” will hold a book signing and provide samples from the book.

Friday, June 22, Soda Stream demonstrations start at 11:30 a.m. and continue throughout the day.

Saturday, June 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sedgwick author Brooke Dojny will sign copies of her latest book, “Lobster!” as well as offer samples of a lobster dish.

NAMING OPPORTUNITY

Pamela Elias said Rooster Brother is the name of a children’s book, which was a favorite of the Elias children. It’s based on an Armenian folktale about a resourceful little boy, his love for his mother and how he saved their dinner. The author is Nonny Hogrogian, a former Blue Hill resident.

“When we were thinking up a name, it just popped in our heads and stuck there,” she said.

STAFF

Rooster Brother employs 20 people, including owners George and Pamela Elias. There is a fair amount of longevity on the staff.

“I think Pamela and I made a decision early on that we wanted to hire really good people and keep them because in the end it makes it so much easies to run a business,” said George Elias. “We go away and never have a moment’s worry about it being in good hands.

“You have to find good people congruent with the mission of the business; then you have to treat them really well,” George said. “We pay them well. They get full health care coverage that they don’t have to pay for. They have a retirement plan. They have benefits for buying stuff in the store. Retail businesses usually don’t do that.”

It’s a fun place to work. You’re surrounded by good people and good food. What could be better, right?”

Here is a list of the five employees who have been with the store the longest:

Donna Rankin-1989

Camille Pascal-1994

Gene Pellerano-1997

Mike Raynor-1999

Kathie Murray-2003

For more business news, pick up a copy of The Ellsworth American.