EASTPORT (AP) – A fourth generation of the Raye family has invested in the family owned Raye’s Mustard, ensuring that the company won’t be sold to outside interests and will continue operations in eastern Maine.

Raye’s Mustard Mill was founded in 1900 by the late J. Wesley Raye, who ran the company until his death in 1948. It passed down to Raye’s son, then to Raye’s grandson before being taken over by Nancy Raye, the founder’s granddaughter.

Nancy’s Raye’s cousin, Kevin Raye, and his wife have bought shares of the business and will take over the day-to-day management of the company. Kevin Raye is a state senator and formerly worked as chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe.

Nancy Raye is approaching retirement age, but wanted to keep the business in the family and not sell it to another company, said Kevin Raye.

“They probably would have removed the equipment and moved it off someplace else. But we didn’t want that to happen,” he said. “She had always hoped that it would remain in the family as a family run business, and I think we presented that option.”

Raye’s Mustard was founded to provide mustard to the once-thriving sardine industry in Eastport.

When Nancy Raye took over in 1990, she transformed the business from a factory that primarily served Maine’s declining sardine industry into a producer of gourmet mustards with a gift shop and take-out business. The company now produces 19 varieties of mustard.

Kevin Raye said he is committed to making sure the company remains a vibrant part of the local economy.

“We now want to take it to the next level and crank up the marketing in order to produce and sell more and continue to grow the company,” he said.

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