09/04/2026
The Eastport Port Authority wants to join the entire greater Eastport area community in wishing the absolute best to the entire family of friends and workers that were the Eastport R&M IGA.
A well earned retirement by the family, a family made famous by its namesake of "R&M" Roger and Merrill Conti, two brothers that forever were and forever will be icons of Eastport as "The Conti Brothers". They leave a legacy that will endure for quite some time here in Eastport America. A legacy that Roger's daughter Merilyn Mills did a tremendous job in continuing in all the years after their passing.
Although the closure of the IGA is a sad day for so many in Eastport, we understand that retirements in that business are extremely well earned.
As the community awaits to see "what's next" we know that there are several options being discussed. Many businesses have been rumored to be interested and even our friends at the Passamaquoddy Tribe themselves are exploring options.
But, as all these great potentials play out, we want to clear up a rumor, the Port Authority, although ready to support whomever steps up next, is leaving those next steps to the business community at large.
Although we stand ready to support this community and continue to invest wherever it is good fit for our mission, at this time we are confident that there is some great entities exploring the next steps that far exceed our expertise and ability in this space. In our hearts we just know that soon that store's potential will be built upon again.
Everyone knows that this community needs and deserves not just a grocery store, but one that lives up to the standards the "Conti Brothers" and their family worked so diligently to provide.
So as that process plays out, we encourage everyone to stay positive and be ready to support the next chapter and as the IGA put it best, remain "Hometown Proud"!
