Category: Under Construction

Here’s a collection of recent Under Construction updates:

• Andrew Pettingill is back working on his project from last year to start-up a gluten-free specialty store/cafe.
• The Portland Farmer’s Market is mulling “some changes at the Deering Oaks market to accommodate the addition of new vendors in an effort to expand the Portland Farmers’ Market in the future.” They are asking for public comment on a proposal that would shift some parking across the street.
• Siano’s is planning on opening their new pizzeria on Fore Street on April 1. They’ve posted some photos of the construction at the new site online.
• Construction is underway at the site of the former Roma restaurant in the West End. There’s no word yet on what business will be moving into the building.
• According to this week’s edition of The Forecaster, the Kosher Meals on Wheels program is expanding its service area (Scarborough, Old Orchard Beach, Portland) to include Falmouth.

A few additional under construction updates:

• Cakes Extraordinaire has moved across the street from their location on Brighton Ave into the Pine Tree Mall across the parking lot from Lowes.
• MaineBiz reports that the developer of 188 Middle Street has recast the space as the Shops at 188 which will consist of a “a restaurant and include a clothing store, a jewelry store and a home furnishings gallery store.” Last year 188 Middle Street had been slated to be the home of Luna Rossa.
• According to a post on Chowhound, David’s 388 has “bought the building next door and will be expanding”.

There are a number of Under Construction details to report:

• Taste of Tampa Latin Cafe is under construction at 621 Forest Ave. Taste of Tampa shares the same name and is presumably owned by the same people who run the Cuban restaurant in Biddeford.
• The Restaurant for Lease sign at the former location of Katahdin has come down. There aren’t any details yet on what’s going to open there.
• The lease for Trader Joe’s at 87 Marginal Way needs to go through a public comment phase before being finalized. You can voice your support on this Federal Trade Commission form.
• Whoppie pie baker, Cranberry Island Kitchen has moved their bakery to 52 Danforth Street and plans to open a retail shop there as well.

There are a number of Under Construction details to report:

• Taste of Tampa Latin Cafe is under construction at 621 Forest Ave. Taste of Tampa shares the same name and is presumably owned by the same people who run the Cuban restaurant in Biddeford.
• The Restaurant for Lease sign at the former location of Katahdin has come down. There aren’t any details yet on what’s going to open there.
• The lease for Trader Joe’s at 87 Marginal Way needs to go through a public comment phase before being finalized. You can voice your support on this Federal Trade Commission form.
• Whoppie pie baker, Cranberry Island Kitchen has moved their bakery to 52 Danforth Street and plans to open a retail shop there as well.

Figa’s Facebook page reports that the water line issues that have held up their opening thus far will be solved in April when a new water main will be installed. In the mean time, you can check out their website to peruse the menu and plan your first meal.

The Local Sprouts Cafe is under construction at 645 Congress. The Community Supported Cafe is getting help from its membership for a variety of light construction projects now until the targeted opening date in April. As you can see from the photo (above) taken by Michael Barriault of PortlandTown there’s still a lot that needs to be done to realize the vision mapped out in the blueprints (below).

The left hand side of the blueprint is the front side of the building that faces Congress Street.

For those of you eagerly awaiting the opening of Nosh, you can get some pre-noshing in by perusing the eatery’s menu which is now available on their website.

Here’s a round-up of the latest Under Construction news:

• Otto Pizza – Otto has plans to expand into the Good Earth Furniture space so they can have a bar and table seating for 24 (36 in total).
• Urban General Store – according to a post from Original Portland, Urban General Store is replacing Urban Hardware on Congress. They plan on selling “beer, wine, sandwiches, groceries, coffee”.
• Season’s Grille is taking over the space formerly occupied by Verrillo’s on Riverside Street.
• A new post from the Munjoy Hill News includes a few details about the menu at Figa.
• Katahdin has published a few photos of the construction site for their new place on Forest Ave.

The Portland Daily Sun published a report on Nosh Kitchen Bar, the lounge/delicatessen that’s slated to open in the old White Heart spot on Congress Street.

The “urban-style eatery” will combine casual dining and drinks.

“It’s a bar, it’s a lounge, it’s kind of a mix between an old-school New York delicatessen and a new school sandwich shop during the day, and at night we go in the direction more of small-portion antipasta type (meals),” said [co-owner Jason] Loring.

Check out Original Portland for a photo of the interior and Nosh’s website for some additional details.