Notable Maine Businessman Dies

We have all heard, at one time or another, that Maine is nothing more than one big small town.

It really is true, especially when you consider that the total population of our state is about 1.3 million and that our largest ‘city’ only has 64,000 residents.

Because of this, there are people in every town and city that everyone seems to know.

Generally, these people are either real ‘characters’ or they are notable business people.

It seems that the late Skip Rist was both.

According to an article on the WABI website, Skip Rist has passed away at the age of 87.

Rist was a lifelong resident of Bangor, Maine, and was known for running his family business, The Coffee Pot, for 59 years.

In a video posted by WCSH 6, Bill Green explains that the shop sold sandwiches, not coffee.  It had been located on State Street since 1936.  Prior to that, it had been on Hancock Street.  In 2009, after running the business for nearly six decades, Rist made the decision to close the shop.  It was said that he did not want anyone else to take over his business.  He had decided that when he was done, the business was done.

Rist reportedly died after a short illness.  A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 AM on Friday at St. Paul the Apostle Parish at St. John’s Catholic Church in Bangor.

A new The Coffee Pot has since opened on Broadway Street in Bangor.  You can check them out online HERE.