A property in Surry that includes a building housing an ice cream shop is for sale for $1.1 million.
The owners of Pugnuts, which has offered dozens of flavors of ice cream and gelato for nearly 10 years, are selling their business on Surry Road. The buyer will receive the pug-themed shop, which has a three-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment above it, a farmhouse behind the building and a small building next to it.
The four bedroom, two bathroom farmhouse, which is located on Wharf Road directly behind the business, has more than 2,000 square feet of living space. Built in 1900, the home has original wood floors and a spacious backyard.
The other small building on the site was once the post office for the area but it’s now used as additional storage for the business, said Dana Moos, the listing agent for the property. The building has one full bathroom and 336 square feet on each floor and could easily be turned into another small home.
In addition to the three buildings on the property, the buyer will get all material and immaterial assets for the business. This means the shop’s equipment, recipes and a tutorial on how to make the ice cream are included in the $1.1 million price, according to Moos.
“From what the owner tells me, it’s not difficult to make ice cream,” Moos said. “Once you get the right recipe, it’s up to your imagination as to what you mix into it.”
Owners Karl Holmes and Eric Treworgy, who don’t live on the property, are selling so they can retire, Moos said. They opened the ice cream shop in 2016 and specialize in making small-batch artisanal ice cream and gelato on-site.
Pugnuts offers dozens of flavors such as lavender honey, panna cotta and pug passion, which has almonds with chocolate, cherries and pistachios.
Moos said she imagines the future buyer will be someone who has ties to Maine, especially the Surry region, which sits on the coast just southwest of Ellsworth. The future buyer could be someone who’s looking for a fresh start as a small business owner after having a corporate career.
“It’s a perfect opportunity for someone to live somewhere and have a business that pays for it,” Moos said.
Both the farmhouse and the apartment are occupied and the tenants have annual leases that are up in December.
The sellers initially considered breaking up the property, which is slightly smaller than an acre, but ultimately decided against it because the three buildings are all on the same tax parcel and share one well and septic system, Moos said.
