Eli’s Market honored as Chamber’s Business of the Year

DOVER-FOXCROFT — In just three years since assuming full ownership of the grocery store in downtown Guilford, the former Goulette’s IGA and Whitney’s Market, Eli’s Market and owner Eli Dunfee have been chosen as the 2025 Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year.

The honor was bestowed during a combined annual dinner and awards ceremony for the Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce and Piscataquis County Economic Development Council on Monday evening at the Central Hall Commons.

Each year the Chamber reaches out to all communities within the county via social media, email campaigns and other media sources, asking for nominations for Business of the Year. Any business within the county can be nominated, but only Chamber members are considered for the final vote. 

Chamber Board of Directors President Matthew Spooner said nearly 30 nominations over the last two years came in for Eli’s Market, an impressive number as the business could have easily been chosen in 2024.

Nomination forms cited reasons such as Eli’s Market and owner Eli Dunfee — who has been on the Chamber board of directors for three years — being a constant contributor at local events, great boss, faithful volunteer and fosters an environment where associates can be happy, helpful and engaged.

Spooner said whenever he has stopped by everyone at the grocery store has always been pleasant and welcoming.

Coming forward to accept the Business of the Year plaque, Dunfee thanked the Chamber and people of Piscataquis County for voting for he and his business, something he does not take lightly.

After spending his early teenage years renovating houses and landscaping cemeteries in his spare time, Dunfee began working at Whitney’s Family Supermarket in Corinth at age 16, as a blocker, facing shelves and working his way through every role available. He showed up, took pride in each job and kept learning at every opportunity.

“I was all of 5-(foot)-2 and 130 pounds and I used to carry a stool around with me to get to the top shelf,” Dunfee said. “If there ever was an evolution of a person, I’m a walking representation of it.”

After high school he earned a business management degree at Eastern Maine Community College while working full-time at Whitney’s.

In 2017 Blaine Whitney purchased the grocery store in Guilford from Barry Goulette and converted it from Goulette’s IGA to Whitney’s Market, giving Dunfee an opportunity to buy into the business in 2019. In late 2022 Dunfee purchased the remainder of the business from Whitney, and in January 2023 Whitney’s was rebranded as Eli’s Market.

Dunfee said he always be appreciative of Whitney for noticing the young person, investing in him and giving him a great opportunity to set him up for the rest of his life.

Dunfee thanked his wife, saying they have a 7-month-old and she helps him be able to focus on the business. He thanked his parents for teaching him the value of a good reputation and a strong work ethic

His Christian faith has instilled in Dunfee a love of people as he loves meeting and engaging with new people.

“It’s because of the 40-plus employees that I employ currently that allows us to operate such a thriving store,” Dunfee said. He said the dedication and consistency of everyone from blockers to department heads has created a strong work environment.

“Businesses like ours survive when people like you choose to shop at them, whether it’s a retail setting or a construction company or whatever it is,” he said. “It allows us to keep the investment local.”

“We need that more now than ever,” Dunfee said, as he said he hopes to see other young business owners in the region.

After a standing ovation for Dunfee, Chamber Executive Director Denise Buzzelli said she has known him for a long time and seen him grow.

“We’re just so proud of you,” Buzzelli said. “I do personally love when business owners like you have a heart in this county because that’s what sets us apart.”