Category: Under Construction

The Friends of Deering Oaks Park and the City of Portland are putting the castle in the park out to bid for someone interested in running a cafe or other food  business there. Interested parties should contact Troy Moon at thm@portlandmaine.gov. For additional information read this article in the Press Herald.

The city hopes to select a vendor by March 1. Lease negotiations will be completed by March 15, and the castle should be open for business in May.

Kotts said that, after her experience last year, she believes a food truck – or two or three food trucks – would be perfect for the space. They can cook just outside the castle, then serve customers fresh, hot food inside.

Cumberland County is seeking RFPs for a Courthouse Café/Coffee Kiosk in the Cumberland County courthouse.

The Courthouse has approximately 200 daily employees and an additional 200 to 400 visitors per day. We are requesting a proposal to sell coffee and/or donuts, muffins, etc. to employees and visitors. We are asking you to provide a concept of your kiosk, products sold, prices, and rental to the County for the space provided. New ideas are welcomed, including possible lunch plans.

The Forecaster has posted an update on the Portland Meatball Company which is slated for 104 Exchange Street.

Palacci declined to elaborate on the restaurant plans, submitted Dec. 23, 2015, to the city Planning Office on behalf of the Portland Meatball Co. by architect Matthew Provencal of Mark Mueller Architects.

The plans call for converting 2,300 square feet of space to seating for more than 30 customers, with a bar with 12 seats. The conversion is estimated to cost about $98,000, according to the application.

Owners Steve and Michelle Corry have been seeking a new spot for Petite Jacqueline ever since this summer when they decided to relocate from 190 State Street in Longfellow Square.

They’ve decided to reconfigure the space at 46 Market Street, the location of Portland Patisserie, and merge the two businesses. The goal is to launch the new Petite Jacqueline sometime in May. More details on the plan will be forthcoming in the next few weeks.

190 State Street has been leased by Anthony Allen and Mike Keon who plan to open an expanded version of their burrito restaurant Ocho in that space.

While we await final news on the new location for Petite Jacqueline, word has gotten out that former PJ chef Fred Eliot has joined the kitchen staff at Rhum working for chef de cuisine Frank Warren Anderson.

Eliot and Rhum co-owner Jason Loring are also exploring the idea of launching a French restaurant together in Portland. The project is still very much in the early stages so look for details to emerge later this year.

Mast Landing Brewing in Westbrook has launched an Indiegogo crowd funding campaign to raise $20,000 for a Crowler Seamer system.

We originally thought about providing growlers in our tasting room for off-site consumption. The problem with growlers is that they have too many variables that could potentially negatively impact our beers. We eventually came across a machine called a Crowler Seamer that provided a reliable solution to our problem. A Crowler is a 32 ounce can that is packaged right infront of the customer for off-site consumption. It has all the benefits of a traditional growler, and even a few advantages, without any of the potential negatives.

Blue Phoenix Lounge has shifted gears and now plans to open their “‘contemporary and glamorous lounge’ with a ‘neighborhood mentality'” in the West End at 211 Danforth Street, in the space formerly occupied by Vespucci’s Market.

Amigo’s is proposing to build a raised deck above their outdoor seating area along Wharf Street.

Planning is underway to convert 104 Exchange Street, currently the home of Pierre’s of Exchange Street, to  a restaurant. The 2,300 square foot space is slated to be the home of the Portland Meatball Company.

According to PMC’s trademark application, “all of our products/food/menu items are produced and sourced from local Maine farms and local Maine Businesses.”

BDN columnist Chris Busby has examined in more depth the Facebook posts published by Pat Scally, owner of a new pizzeria under construction on Cumberland Ave.

I believe that, but I don’t believe Scally posted those memes by mistake. I think Scally is ignorant about politics (he admits as much) and insensitive to racist rhetoric (which he also concedes), but is not a hateful person or someone I would consider a racist.

That said, I believe James was right to bring those memes to the community’s attention, and people certainly have the right to criticize Scally for the posts and refuse to eat his pizza. But had this matter ended there on Facebook, Portland would be a more divided and dangerous place as a result. There’d be more hatred, less understanding, and no opportunity for an apology or forgiveness. If we’re going to keep the real racists at bay (and out of the White House), we’ll need to do more reaching out than flipping out.

The former Gusto’s food truck has been sold to Taylor Witham who will be relaunching the business under the name Ziggy’s Food Truck (website, facebook, twitter) this Spring.