Category: Under Construction

The End at 229 Congress Street

| Posted in Under Construction

A new bar called The End (instagram) is under development at 229 Congress Street in the space formerly occupied by Saint Joe’s Restobar.

Johnny Althoff, Andrew Roseman, Celeste Parke, and Benbazi plan to open a friendly neighborhood bar for the Munjoy Hill and Washington Ave communities serving classic cocktails along with canned beer and whiskey. The draft food menu includes snack mix, an open face cheese melt, veggie chili and a rotating cupcake special.

The bar’s name is a nod to being located across the street from the Eastern Cemetery. When it launches—hopefully sometime in May—The End will be open 4 pm to Midnight, Wednesday through Sunday.

To get caught up on all the new restaurants, bars and other hospitality businesses in development visit our Under Construction List.

Freedom’s Edge Cider Co.

| Posted in Under Construction

Freedom’s Edge Cider (website, facebook, instagram) has leased space at 31 Diamond Street in East Bayside where they plan to open a tasting room for their Albion-based cidery. Co-owners Andrew Kaplan and Ned Ervin hope to build out the 3,288 sq ft space in time for a summer launch.

There will be a 50+ seat tasting room with an additional 20 outdoor seats in the summer, and a big part of the Diamond Street location will be used for barrel aging and bottle conditioning of their limited release ciders. Kaplan and Ervin are planning to expand their barrel-aged premium cider offerings with the launch of their Portland location.

Freedom’s Edge currently produces 5 varieties of cider: original blend, redfield rose, sweet mull-et, 3 o’clock twilight, and freedom’s edge gold. For more information on Freedom’s Edge read this 2020 article in the Waterville Sentinel.

Freedom’s Edge will be joining three other existing cider producers in East Bayside: Apres, Urban Farm Fermentory, and Blue Lobster Urban Winery. For a complete list of Maine cideries see our Guide to Maine Cider.

An Update on Vertical Harvest

| Posted in Under Construction

If you’ve driven through Westbrook recently, you can’t help but have noticed that construction of Vertical Harvest (website, facebook, instagram, twitter) is underway. The project was announced back in 2020, construction began in 2022 and the urban farm will harvest its first crops in early next year.

We recently had the chance to join a tour and see the building with co-founder Caroline Estay to hear how plans for Westbrook and VH overall are progressing. It’s an impressive building and an even more impressive initiative. When it goes online in 2024 the 70,000 square foot indoor farm will produce more than 2,000,000 pounds of lettuces and greens a year.

Vertical Harvest is currently accepting general applications via their website and plans to employ a team of 40 – 50 FTEs to operate the greenhouse when they open next year. Co-founders Nona Yehia and Caroline Estay will fill about half of those positions with people who have intellectual and physical disabilities. Their goal is to help people that often encounter barriers to meaningful work, have increased opportunity for economic independence. For more on VH and their employees watch the documentary Hearts of Glass.

The lettuces and microgreens VH grows will be sold through distributors like Native Maine and Sodexo as well as at Hannaford and to hospitals, corporate cafeterias, and schools across the state. There may also be a Vertical Harvest retail shop in Westbrook.

The original Vertical Harvest building was built in Jackson Hole and served as a proof of concept for the technology, employment and business model. Vertical Harvest Westbrook is the first full scale location, and the blueprint moving forward. They plan to build 15 more urban farms across the country over the next 5 years.

Photos: a view of the construction site from across William Clarke Drive (above), a view of the 3rd floor, co-founder Caroline Estay leading a tour of the ground floor produce processing area, 2nd floor front-facing windows, a view of downtown Westbrook from the greenhouse, the front corner where the plant elevator will be located, another view of the 2nd floor of the building where produce will be grown.

Restaurant Real Estate: April 2023

| Posted in Under Construction, Real Estate

Welcome to the April 2023 edition of the Portland Food Map restaurant real estate listings sponsored by The Boulos Company—a commercial real estate brokerage that has helped Maine’s restauranteurs buy and lease restaurant spaces since 1975.

This monthly column gathers in one convenient place the spaces available in Portland (and a few in the surrounding area) that could be potential sites for restaurants and food producers and retailers to locate their next business. Finding the right spot is one of the crucial early challenges in launching a new business and hopefully this resource will make that step just a little bit easier.

West End

2 Pine St – the former Treasure Chest space in Longfellow Square is for lease. Call (207) 773-7100 for more details.

64 Pine St – The former Aurora Provisions space is for lease. The 4,629 sq ft is listed at $4,950/month (NNN).

156 State St – 1,250 – 7,550 sq ft of space on the first floor of the Portland Club is available for $13.50 – 24/sq ft (NNN).

235 Vaughan St – the 700 sq ft space most recently occupied by Other Side Deli and which had been the longtime home of Vaughan Street Variety is for lease. Call (207) 650-0846 for more information.

Arts District

549 Congress St – the 1,397 sq ft space currently occupied by the Portland Downtown offices is available to lease for $3,200/month (NNN).

554 Congress St – 1,621 sq ft former Dunkin’ Donuts space with hood for $2,301/month (NNN).

582 Congress St – the longtime home of Harmon’s Floral Company will be available for lease starting in May. The 1,550 sq ft space is for lease for $5,850/month (NNN).

25 Forest Ave – Portland Stage is looking for a restaurant partner to co-develop a 2,700 sq ft restaurant space in their Forest Ave building; $19.50/sq ft (MG).

44 Oak St – 4,347 sq ft of space in a beautiful historic building at the corner of Oak and Free Streets is available for $20/sq ft (NNN).

Bayside

75 Chestnut St – a 2,100 sq ft ground floor retail space under construction in Bayside is for sale for $649,999.

73 Cove St – a 5,519 industrial space in East Bayside is listed for $35/sq ft; it’s expected to become available in 2024.

46 Elm St – this 385 sq ft corner space in the parking garage at the corner of Elm Street and Cumberland Ave. It’s available for $13/sq ft (MG).

52 Hanover St – a new building set to open in April 2023. On the first floor will be 1,500 – 4,500 sq ft retail space available for $30/sq ft (NNN).

65 Hanover St – 1,800 sq ft of space is available for $20/sq ft (NNN).

82 Hanover St – the 3,067 sq ft former Yard space in Bayside is available for $30/sq ft (NNN); the sale includes all FF&E inventory.

178 Kennebec St – 2,644 sq ft of space are available in a newly constructed Bayside building for $25/sq ft (NNN).

34 Portland St – the 3,400 sq ft building that was formerly occupied by Candy’s is for sale for $649,000.

Old Port

1 Canal Plaza – 3,605 – 7,757 sq ft of ground floor retail space will be available as part of upcoming renovations; $30/sq ft (NNN).

1 Commercial St – the original location of Benkay at the corner of Commercial and India Streets is undergoing renovations and is expected to be available in 2023. The 900-2,950 sq ft is for lease at $35/sq ft (NNN).

185 Commercial St – a new building under construction will include 2,229 sq ft of ground floor retail space that will be available in 2024; $55/sq ft (NNN).

383 Commercial St – 1,193 – 4,805 square feet of space in a newly constructed building on Commercial Street is available for $28/sq ft (NNN).

215 Commercial St – 2,189 sq ft of retail space near the corner of Commercial and Dana Streets is available for $65/sq ft (MG).

441 Congress St – the 2,400 sq ft former Guitar Grave retail space is available for $15/sq ft (MG).

43 Exchange St – the 1,717 sq ft space occupied by Peruvian Link is for lease for $60/sq ft (MG). It’s located midway down lower Exchange Street.

201 Federal St – 2 retail spaces will be available in the new 18-story building under construction at the corner of Temple and Federal Streets. The 527 and 2,300 sq ft spaces are listed at $40/sq ft (MG).

368 Fore St – the former 5,458 sq ft Old Port Tavern is available for $32/sq ft (NNN).

40 Free St – the new building constructed by JB Brown has four storefronts ranging in size from 1,473 to 3,024 sq ft for $27.50/sq ft (NNN).

30 Market St – the Old Port location of Pat’s Pizza is available to lease; 5,116 sq ft for $25/sq ft (NNN).

55 Market St – this 3,700 sq ft space on Market Street was formerly occupied by the Big Easy. It’s available for $24/sq ft (NNN).

157 Middle St – 1,091 – 5,155 sq ft of retail space is available for $27 – 29.95/sq ft (MG).

176 Middle St – the former Starbucks store at the crossroads of the Old Port at the intersection of Middle and Exchange Streets is for lease. The 1,675 sq ft space is for lease for $75 (MG).

1 Monument Square – 1,500 sq ft of first floor space adjacent to Cera is available for $3,125/month (MG).

28 Monument Square – two spots are available in the Public Market House. A space on the 2nd floor (143 sq ft with a base rent of $1,185 + utilities and CAM charges—call  413-636-9688 for details) and a 400 sq ft space on the first floor available for $2,250/month (NNN).

25 Pearl St – 1,689 sq ft former Subway space available for $30/sq ft (MG).

66 Pearl St – 5,796 sq ft of space—the former Bull Moose retail shop—is available for $15.75/sq ft (MG).

144 State St – 3 retail spaces will be available in the development in the former Mercy Hospital building on State Street. The 1,100, 1100 and 2,566 spaces are available for $26/sq ft (MG).

15 Temple St – the 2,086 sq ft space formerly occupied by Bubble Maineia is available for $26/sq ft (MG).

110 Thames St – two spots (2,700 and 3,200 sq ft) are now available in the newly constructed building in the Portland Foreside development. Both are listed at $35/sq ft (NNN).

42 Wharf St – this 3,770 sq ft space in the Old Port includes a 2,000 sq ft patio, $45/sq ft (MG).

India Street

144 Fore St – the former VA building is near the Portland Foreside development and adjacent to several new office buildings off Thames Street. It has 1,537 – 21,911 sq ft of space available for $24-29/sq ft (NNN).

47 India St – 1,000 sq ft of the former Lois’ Market building is for lease, $3,333/month (NNN).

Forest Ave

369 Forest Ave – a 5,040 sq ft building on Forest Ave is available for $14.50/sq ft (MG).

500 Forest Ave – the 900 sq ft space formerly occupied by Starbird is for lease for $1,800/month (MG).

671-675 Forest Ave – a retail building in the center of Woodfords Corner is for sale for $675,000.

701 Forest Ave – 3,147 – 6,405 with parking available for $18/sq ft (NNN).

1871 Forest Ave – the former Tortilla Flat building is for sale for $3,100,000.

Deering Center

476 Stevens Ave – the Elsmere BBQ building in Deering Center is for sale for $1,450,000; the sale includes all FF&E inventory.

502 Stevens Ave – a 516 sq ft space is available in Deering Center; $27/sq ft (NNN) available July 1.

Elsewhere in Portland

1091 Congress St – the former Denny’s building and parking lot are available to lease; 4,901 sq ft at $25.50/sq ft (NNN).

1339 Washington Ave – the 4,068 sq ft former Parker’s Restaurant building in North Deering is for lease ($9-11k/month) or for sale ($2,295,000).

Northgate Shopping Center – 2,200 to 5,700 sq ft of space is available.

Westgate Shopping Center – four spaces are for lease at $18-40/sq ft (NNN).

Sammy’s Scoops – the Woodfords Corner ice cream shop is for sale. Call John Medici at (207) 400-7140 for more information.

Other Spaces – some vacated restaurant spaces haven’t yet been formerly listed for by the owner. Check the closing announcements for the latest information.

Outside of Portland

Bath – the former  home of Salt Pine Social is available. The 3,535 sq ft building is available for $23/sq ft (NNN).

Biscuits & Co, Biddeford – Biscuits & Co closed on October 16th and the business and equipment is for sale. Contact Biscuitsandcompany@gmail.com for more information.

18 Ocean St, South Portland – the 4,351 sq ft former Snow Squall is for lease for $12/sq ft (NNN).

372 Cottage Rd, South Portland – the former Omi’s Coffee Shop is available for lease. Call Jennifer Davies at (207) 650-9944 for more information.

Glossary

MG – Modified Gross which indicates that the operating expenses (taxes, insurance, maintenance, etc.) for the property are included in the lease rate. The tenant would pay its own utilities, which sometimes includes heat.

NNN – Triple Net which indicates that operating expenses are not included in the lease rate, and the tenant will pay them separately. They are often referred to as CAM (Common Area Maintenance) charges and taxes, which are expressed as $/sf. The tenant is also responsible for utilities.

Gross – Gross indicates all expenses including utilities are included in the lease rate. The tenant would be responsible for phone and internet access, as well as interior janitorial.

Bev’s Cafe and Market

| Posted in Under Construction, Maine

Bev’s Cafe & Market (instagram) is under construction at 41 Main Street in Kennebunk in the space formerly occupied by Christian’s.


The 40-seat cafe is being launched by chefs Nate Norris and Annie Callan. The couple moved here from San Francisco where they both worked at the famed Zuni Cafe. Callan was the pastry chef and Norris was the executive chef and a nearly 20-year member of the Zuni Cafe team.

Callan and Norris hope to open Bev’s this June when they’re promising a “casual cafe focused on excellent food and hospitality” serving breakfast, lunch and prepared food to go.

Our guests can expect a focused menu for counter service and takeaway breakfast and lunch. Breakfast will include egg sandwiches, granola, oatmeal, and pastries. Lunch will include hot and cold sandwiches, salads, soups, and daily specials. Limited prepared foods will be available to help make a delicious weeknight dinner at home simple.

We will cook the only way we know, making dishes that are comforting and familiar, guided by the best local ingredients in close partnership with New England farmers, ranchers, and other artisanal producers.

Bev’s will serve beer and wine as well as Tandem Coffee and teas from the Rare Tea Company.

To get caught up on all the new restaurants under development visit our Under Construction List.

Novel Book & Bar

| Posted in Under Construction

The Portland Phoenix has published an article about Novel Book & Bar, a new book-centered establishment under construction near Longfellow Square.

Whether you’re an avid reader or a bar scene enthusiast, there’s something for you in Portland.

At least, that’s how the owners of Novel Book & Bar, a soon-opening Congress Street joint, read the situation. Portland is home to plenty of great restaurants and bar scenes, but almost all cater directly to the food and drink. What’s missing is a more intellectual space to congregate where books are the focus.

Brea Lu Cafe Moving to 511 Main Street

| Posted in Under Construction

Brea Lu Cafe (website, facebook, instagram) had planned to move from their current spot to 100 Larrabee Road, but that location fell through earlier this year. Owner Christian DeLuca has now leased a large space at 511 Main Street in Westbrook which he is building out into a new home for his popular breakfast and lunch spot.

DeLuca plans to launch with a menu that includes classic dishes served when Brea Lu was in its longtime home on Forest Ave in Portland. The new dining room will seat 100 people—up from 44 at their current location—and there will be seasonal outdoor seating as well. The kitchen will double in size, and DeLuca hopes to eventually add an in-house bakery. The cafe is also slated to have a private room for events and meetings that will seat 30+ people.

Construction on the site is already underway. DeLuca will be closing down Brea Lu on Cumberland Street on at the end of April and hopes to reopen at the Maine Street location in early June. Brea Lu will be expanding its hours to stay open until 2 pm, and will be available in the evenings for events, pop-ups, and for use by food trucks.

Logan Abbey the owner of the George’s North Shore food truck is taking over the current Brea Lu building where he plans to open a restaurant called George + Leon’s Famous Roast Beef.

Update: A fire broke out at the construction site and will likely delay the launch of the new cafe.

To get caught up on all the new restaurants under development visit our Under Construction List.

Cuppa Jo’s in Yarmouth

| Posted in Under Construction

A new cafe called Cuppa Jo’s (instagram) is under construction at 305 Route 1 in Yarmouth. It’s located in the same building at Otto Pizza.

Owner Jo Miller plans to serve espresso-based and brewed coffee as well as teas from Marriage des Freres. as well as “pastries, sandwiches, soups and more!” Cuppa Jo’s will be roasting their own coffee.

Miller hopes to open Cuppa Jo’s on April 10th and be open 6 am to 2 pm daily.

Bissell Expanding on Thompson’s Point

| Posted in Under Construction

Bissell Brothers Brewing (website, instagram) is expanding their footprint on Thompson’s Point. They’ve leased the former Rosemont market and wine bar space and are renovating it to provide additional kitchen capacity and dining space for customers.

The larger kitchen will enable the launch of an in-house bakery program to support the breads needed for their existing menu and to expand their food offerings. Co-owner Peter Bissell shared they are excited to explore the common yeast-driven fermentation space bread and beer both occupy. The new space will also enable the launch of a full service bar with some differentiated options in addition to their existing menu. A brass Lukr tap system is being installed at the bar.

The former Rosemont Market and Bar on Thompson’s Point opened in August 2021 and closed in January of this year.

Rebel Munchies & Libations

| Posted in Under Construction

Rebel Cheesesteaks (instagram) owner Peter Murphy has leased the former Dos Naciones space at 649 Congress Street where he plans to open Rebel Munchies & Libations this fall.

Murphy will be expanding the menu and adding a full bar. He shared he’s excited to scale up the business from its start as a food cart, and looks forward to building out a team.

Renovations will be getting underway with the a master design theme of keeping it “rebellious as always.”