Ellen Fee News Today

One of Rochesters oldest companies will remain in the family for at least another generation. Fee Brothers, the Portland Avenue-based manufacturer of cordial syrups, bitters, and cocktail mixes, is transitioning from the stewardship of siblings Joe and Ellen Fee to their nephews, brothers Jon Spacher and Benn Fee Spacher. When Joe Fee suddenly died at age 55 in February 2020, his loss left an uncertain future, but the Spacher brothers purchased the business from their aunt Ellen and will becom...

Benn Fee Spacher (left) and Jon Spacher (right) are the new fifth generation owners of Fee Brothers, taking over from Ellen Fee (center). It is hard to miss Fee Brothers on Portland Avenue. Its bright yellow signage juts out boldly from the face of an unassuming brick building, adorned with its time-honored slogan: “Don’t Squeeze. Use Fee’s.” Fee Brothers, a purveyor of cocktail syrups, cordials, and, most notably, bitters, is one of Rochester’s oldest businesses, havi...