Cod Cove Inn has a new owner. On July 1, Scott Larson of Southport was part of a group that became the Route 27 inn’s new owner. For nine years, Ted and Jill Hugger owned the Edgecomb inn with 28 rooms, an outdoor heated pool, and a flower garden with a gazebo. But that all changed when a commercial property broker told the Huggers a potential buyer was interested. Ted Hugger thought selling the inn was probably five to six years from now, but the offer was too good to refuse. “If the money is right then the time is probably right,” he said. 

On July 12, Larson confirmed he was part of a group which bought the inn. “It was a very seamless transaction working with Ted and Jill Hugger,” he wrote in an email response.

Larson owns multiple hospitality businesses in the Midcoast. Ted Hugger believes Cod Cove Inn joining Larson’s family of properties makes good business sense for the new owner. “The purchase just makes a lot of sense for him. Scott can link them all together making the operation more efficient and easier to market,” he said. The Huggers will now focus on operating their other property in Camden. In 2018, they bought Cedar Crest Inn.  

As for selling Cod Cove Inn, Ted Hugger said, “We’ve put a lot of time and energy into the inn. So it was a hard decision. We’ve also developed a fantastic staff, and they’ve become family to us.. So that part kind of hurts,” he said. 

Complicating the situation is Hugger’s position as a selectman. He was first elected in 2013, and is in his third term. The Huggers plan on living at Cedar Crest Inn until November. They would like to remain as Edgecomb residents. Hugger can remain on the board as long as he satisfies requirements in seeking permanent housing in town. “As long as he is trying, and doesn’t attempt to establish residency in another town, he can remain on the board,” said Board Chairman Dawn Murray. 

At a recent board meeting, selectmen discussed how scarce housing was in the Midcoast. Selectman Mike Smith reported not one house was listed on Zillow. “Our preference is to remain in Edgecomb. We’ve made a lot of friends and I enjoy serving on the board. So we will see what's out there. Maybe we will rent a place this winter and possibly look to build next year,” Hugger said. 

The Huggers, originally from Michigan, lived in Cape Elizabeth for 25 years. Ted Hugger has over 30 years’ experience in marketing and event management. Jill started her career in the food and beverage field. She was hired as Portland Regency’s restaurant manager in 1989. She was promoted several times before becoming the hotel’s general manager.