Union River Art & Frame owner Holly Green. Photo: Clarisa Diaz
Union River Art & Frame is a shop located off the beaten path at 17 School Street in Downtown Ellsworth. Bought by Holly and Daniel Green from the previous owner Tammie Anderson, the shop has been in business for 22 years. Nowadays, the shop is bustling with work framing original art for Maine artists across the state, along with framing family photos and other historical treasurers. We sat down with Holly Green to learn more:
Heart of Ellsworth: How did you start your business?
Holly Green: My husband Daniel was in the military and he grew up in Franklin. I’m from Kansas City and was a framer there in the 90s.
The plan all along was to come back to Franklin. After 21 years we moved into Daniel’s childhood home. We both worked at Home Depot for a year trying to figure out what the heck we were going to do.
We wanted to own a business. We thought about different ideas that didn’t really suit us. There was a frame shop in Bar Harbor that was for sale. We didn’t end up buying that and I had come to apply for a job here to see if Tammie, the former owner, needed any help. She did need help but didn’t really have the time or energy to hire me. She had been running the business for 18 years. Tammie was by herself and maintaining the shop is labor intensive. Instead we offered to buy the shop and she sold it to us in 2021 during COVID.
HofE: What kinds of things do you frame?
Holly: I’d say 75% of what we frame is original art. We frame lots of maps, heirlooms of some sort, old photos, childhood art, and other family stuff. In my previous framing life in the suburbs of Kansas City it was mostly framing posters. It’s a lot cooler to frame real stuff, original art.
I’ve been trying to pull in artists more since taking over the business. You don’t see me advertise very often because I don’t need to. It’s a word-of-mouth business and always has been. Someone will buy a piece of art from an artist and ask where to get it framed and they’ll recommend us.
HofE: Why do you like having a business in Ellsworth?
Holly: We did try and buy the shop in Bar Harbor but we live in Franklin and I can’t even imagine the drive. Also, I like to have a collaborative design process with the customer so we’re working together to get what you want. I’m not designing it and then it’s just going in your house. It’s a great location. I get people as far as Lubec and Eastport.
HofE: What are some challenges you’ve faced?
Holly: It’s a completely different thing being a business owner vs. a manager. There’s more responsibility, I’m still learning and I hope I am doing everything right. Even when I think it’s going to be slow it’s busier than I thought.
The artists saved me this Spring with all the craziness in the world. The artists aren’t holding off on things to frame because they need to show and sell their work. But since the summer everyone is back and we’re busy.
I have people drive by who have driven by a hundred times and never knew we were here. Please turn left and right off Main Street to find other downtown businesses! There’s lots of little guys on the side and we need your business too.
HofE: What’s your advice for aspiring business owners?
Holly: I would not have started a frame shop on my own. After we didn’t get the shop in Bar Harbor I thought we were done. But Daniel was the one who went and knocked on Tammie’s door and asked if she would sell her shop in Ellsworth.
Daniel Green: It cost us nothing to knock on the door and ask Tammie if she was interested in selling. When I look back I’d say if something is in your heart, just go for it. Don’t be afraid to ask.
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Main Street America and AmEx are offering $10,000 grants to support local small businesses. Applications are open now through Sept. 6, 2025.
Need help applying? Heart of Ellsworth staff are happy to assist — we’re always open to discussing proposals or partnering. Please reach out if you would like support with your application.
REvitalizeME Downtown, funded by the National Park Service’s Paul Bruhn Revitalization Grant Program, is now offering historic preservation grants to eligible property owners in 23 Maine Downtown Center communities designated as Main Streets or Downtown Affiliates -- including Ellsworth!
These development grants will support the preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of historic properties that serve as vital community infrastructure—enhancing both the social and economic life of their towns. Eligible properties may include (but are not limited to):
Historic theaters, museums, and libraries
Community centers and municipal buildings
Retail shops, restaurants, and cafes
Entrepreneurial hubs, co-working spaces, and shared kitchens
Projects may include exterior and interior preservation work, restoration, landscape improvements, or limited HVAC upgrades—provided they align with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. All project plans and specifications must meet these standards and be complete at the time of application.
This is a great opportunity for a larger business to relocate to downtown Ellsworth, or multiple small businesses to be in the heart of downtown. This building is for lease. For more information email info@desertharvest.org
As Maine’s newest designated Main Street America community, Ellsworth offers an unparalleled environment for businesses to thrive and grow.
Interested in investing in Ellsworth? There are nine businesses and buildings for sale right in our vibrant downtown. Click on each image to be directed to the sales listing.
Just looking to lease a space? There are several prime options available to you, whether you're looking for a business storefront or an office space:
89-93 Main Street, 102 Main Street, 108 Main Street, 112 Main Street, 192 Main Street, 59 Franklin Street, and 6 State Street
For more information on leasing opportunities in the downtown district and to learn more about what Ellsworth has to offer, email: cara@heartofellsworth.org and visit www.heartofellsworth.org.
Do you have space in downtown Ellsworth that is available to rent or is for sale? Please email us and we'll include it here!
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