East End Cupcakes Closes Shop

East End Cupcakes has decided to close their retail shop on Fore Street and to focus their business on wholesale and supplying cupcakes  to events.

Over the past 7 years you have allowed us to be a part of your baby showers, gender reveals, birthday celebrations, engagements, weddings, anniversaries, graduations, and so much more- and it has been the honor of a lifetime!

I want to thank everyone who has supported us throughout the years. This dream would never have been realized without the help of friends, family and this incredible community. You all helped bring cupcakes from my East End apartment to a Downtown Portland storefront!

Tempo Dulu/Opium to Close

Both Tempo Dulu and Opium, the restaurant and bar in the Danforth Inn, are scheduled to close at the end of this month, reports the Press Herald.

Raymond Brunyanszki, co-owner of the inn, said the businesses were not profitable enough and that a “disconnect” existed between the guests staying at the inn and people dining at the restaurant. He also cited the difficulty of finding qualified staff familiar with Southeast Asian cuisine.

Dinner Ending at Artemisia

Artemisia Cafe has announced plans to shut down their dinner service. This coming Friday will be its last night in operation.

The Italian restaurant that serves dinner at Artemisia opened nearly 5 years ago in May of 2013 and is run by Heather Neville and Guy Frenette. The couple grew-up in Maine but had spent several years working in the restaurant industry in the Bay Area (Chez Panisse, Aquerello, Oliveto). There’s no word yet on what their post-Artemisia plans are.

Valley Chinese Closed

WCYY has reported that Valley Chinese Cuisine on Forest Ave has gone out of business.

This will come as some fairly shocking news for lovers of the Chinese food favorite. So why is it closing? Well, sources tell us, the owners just want to retire. For those that frequent the establishment, they know it has been a family owned and operated restaurant. You could pop in for lunch or dinner at any hour and see the same faces behind the counter. The long hours and strenuous seven-days-a-week schedule led the owners to decide that it’s time to move on.

Francine Bistro Closed

The Press Herald reports the very sad news that Francine Bistro in Camden has gone out of business.

The restaurant closed for the winter in November with a sign on the door that indicated it would reopen in May. But chef/owner Brian Hill confirmed Wednesday that he has shuttered the restaurant for good after 15 years, citing a combination of “insurmountable debt” and a desire to spend more time with his young daughter, who lives with her mother in southern California.