Selling a Camden, Maine Icon: The Smiling Cow’s Legacy Lives On

With its iconic red-and-white awnings and porch overlooking the Megunticook River, The Smiling Cow isn’t just a store on Camden’s Main Street—it’s a beloved local tradition, a signal that spring has arrived, and a cherished part of the town’s story since 1940.

When longtime owners Meg and Paul Quijano decided it was time to pass the torch, they knew the transition had to be done with care. They turned to someone who understood that legacy not just professionally, but personally: Chuck Brawn, Associate Broker at Dwelling in Maine and a lifelong friend.

For Chuck, a Camden, Maine real estate broker with deep local roots, this was more than a transaction. It was about honoring a Main Street business that had weathered the seasons, served generations, and stood strong through the rise of big-box retail.

“Being involved in the sale of The Smiling Cow was truly an honor,” Chuck said. “It’s a legacy property in the heart of downtown Camden—a small, independent retailer that’s not only survived, but thrived.”

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A Business Built on Generations—and Gratitude

Founded by Meg’s grandmother in 1940, The Smiling Cow has remained in the same family for nearly 85 years. Now, with their nephew David stepping in as the buyer, that legacy continues.

Meg and Paul, who led the business for over 40 years, poured their hearts into the shop and the Midcoast Maine community it serves. Selling the business within the family was a unique opportunity—and a complex one. David, who was born in Maine but spent years in the music industry on the West Coast, is now returning to his roots with a renewed sense of purpose.

“It was a privilege,” Chuck shared, “to help friends not only sell their business, but keep it in the family—getting a fair value for the sellers while setting up the next chapter for long-term success.”

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Selling a Business in Camden, Maine Is Emotional—But It Doesn’t Have to Be Hard

“Selling a business is almost always an emotional process,” Chuck explained. “When someone has spent decades building something with meaning, how do you assign a dollar value to that?”

In this case, the answer came through collaboration.

Despite the natural complexities—valuing both the real estate and the business, planning an exit strategy, and ensuring a smooth handoff—the tone remained consistently positive.

“Everyone came to the table focused, fair, and kind. That’s rare,” Chuck said. “The one word I’d use to describe this sale? Teamwork.”

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A New Chapter for a Camden Landmark

This wasn’t just the sale of a retail property or a downtown business—it was the continuation of a legacy. For locals and visitors alike, The Smiling Cow represents something enduring. And thanks to the care and collaboration of everyone involved, its future remains just as bright.

For Chuck, the experience was deeply personal:

“Helping Meg and Paul through this transition—people I’ve known my whole life—was more than real estate. It was about preserving something that matters to this town.”

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Thinking About Selling a Business in Midcoast Maine?

🎥 Watch the story here behind one of Midcoast Maine’s most cherished businesses—and how legacy, teamwork, and local professionals came together.

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Thinking About Selling a Business in Midcoast Maine?

Whether you’re preparing to pass down a family business, transition out of ownership, or sell a property in Camden, it helps to work with someone who understands the meaning behind it all.

📍 If you’re looking for a trusted local broker in Midcoast, Maine—someone who leads with heart and understands the complexities of real estate, from the first conversation to negotiation and the closing table—reach out to Chuck Brawn at Dwelling in Maine.