Category: Under Construction

Mainebiz has published an update on Jing Yan, the Asian fusion restaurant under construction in the former Lolita space on Munjoy Hill.

Getting the operation up and running mostly just involves some cosmetic work, including swapping in new light fixtures and paint; plus buying a new fryer and hood system. The couple is doing the painting themselves but hired sub-contractors for the rest of the work. They financed the purchase and installations through a loan with Gorham Savings Bank.

“There are not many people wanting to open a restaurant right now,” she said. “It’s one of the riskiest times to do it. But we’re young and we saw an opportunity and we just fell in love with the space.”

A new wine delivery service called The Juice Caboose (website, instagram) is launching in the Portland area.

Owner Lucy Henderson will be providing “thoughtfully curated” wines delivered right to your home. Customers can choose between a one time or recurring purchase of 3, 6, or 12 bottles at a time.

The Maine Aquaculture Association (MAA) is working on an updated version of the Maine Oyster Trail (instagram). The original online oyster trail was published in 2017 using Google Maps. The new service will include an interactive trip planner, challenges, prizes and other features.

Funding for the project comes from a $10,000 grant from the Maine Office of Tourism and a second $10,000 grant from the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center.

The MAA hopes to launch the new oyster trail in 2021.

Another two food businesses are under development:

• Mount Desserts (facebook, instagram) has leased part of the former Pearl Tap House space on Fore Street where they’ll be opening a pie shop this spring. They’ll be operating temporarily from the Old Port Holy Donut space starting in November.
• Tacos y Tequila (website, facebook, instagram) is under construction in Cape Elizabeth at the site formerly occupied by the Bird Dog Roadhouse. Owner Ramiro Bravo hopes to open restaurant later this year. You can see some photos of the food Bravo plans to serve on the TyT website.

Yardie Ting (website, facebook, instagram) is planning to open a restaurant in Gray, Maine. In support of the project chef/owner Shanna-Kay Wright has launch a crowd funding campaign with the goal of raising $25k.

My name is Shanna-Kay Wright. I am a female entrepreneur, chef, and single mother of two children.  I am of Caribbean roots which inspire the cuisine on the menu of my own Caribbean restaurant called Yardie Tings…I would like to expand to another location that will allow for the growing demand and to include space for guess seating in a relaxed environment. The funds that are raised will be used for the renovation of the new location, which will begin next February of 2021. I have sourced a new location that requires layout changes and equipment purchases as I undertake renovations. Your donations will be used for the build-out of the restaurant because it is a blank canvas, the purchasing of appliances, and other fixtures for the restaurant. This will allow for a spacious, warm, and inviting environment for customers.

Wright plans to keep the original Yardie Ting in the Public Market House open, and hopes to open the new restaurant this spring.

For more info and to contribute to the campaign visit www.gofundme.com.

SoPo Seafood (website, facebook, instagram) has leased the former Uncle Andy’s at 171 Ocean Street in South Portland where they plan to open a retail fish shop and raw bar.

The menu for the raw bar will include Maine oysters, lobster rolls, seafood crudo, chowder as well as wine by the glass and draft beer, and will be open for lunch and into the early evening. In addition to seafood, the shop will also offer a wine selection. Certified Sommelier Jen Lakari is advising SoPo on their wine program.

Sopo specializes in Maine seafood. They sell wholesale and early in the pandemic launched a retail seafood delivery service (order online). The location on Ocean Street will be their first retail storefront.

Co-owners Matt Brown, Lucas Myers and Joshua Edgcombe launched SoPo Seafood in March. They plan to start using the Ocean Street property as a curbside pick-up location in December and to open the retail shop and raw bar in May 2021. Once they open they also plan to use the store to host guest chefs for seafood preparation and cooking demonstrations.

The new Asian fusion restaurant and bar called Jing Yan under construction at 90 Congress Street has applied for their liquor license.

Here’s a look at the draft menu they supplied with the application:

Owners Britt Langford and husband Leo Zhang hope to open Jing Yan in November. Chris Petrillo is coming onboard as the chef for Jing Yan.

Jake Periello has taken over the lease for 123 Commercial Street—the former home of the Silver House Tavern—where he plans to open The Tavern.

Periello is installing a kitchen. The plan is for The Tavern to serve lunch and dinner 7 days a week with a menu that will include chili, chowder, salads, lobster rolls, pizza, lasagna, and chicken pot pies.

Speckled Ax (website, facebook, instagram)  is moving their roastery to a new space that will include a retail shop, coffee bar and outdoor seating during warmer months.

The new roastery will be located at 135 WaltonStreet in the former Izzy’s Cheesecake space.

Josh Amergian is launching a new food truck called Papa (website, instagram). He has bought the former Mami food truck and is renovating it to meet the needs of the new business. Amergian plans to launch in late summer 2021 and his long term plans for Papa include opening a brick and mortar restaurant in Gray where he lived as a child.

Amergian has worked in the restaurant industry for most of the past 12 years including a four year stint with Cara Stadler. The concept for Papa is “neighborhood eats”. You can see some examples of what that might mean by taking a look at the Papa instagram account.

The business name is a reference to Amergian’s own father who’s example he credits as his motivation and inspiration who being in the industry. “I loved cooking with him at the stores as a kid and as a teenager…I would like to think that us boys are his legacy so I’m paying it forward and turning his into my own.”

The Amergian family has owned restaurant and shops in Portland for several generations,

[M]y father bought a pizza/sandwich shop [in Gray]. It was called Dry Mills Store. He owned it for 11 years from 1992-2003. He’s owned a few stores around Portland in the 70’s 80’s and early 90’s. He’s a third generation grocer. He owned Amergian’s Market on Danforth street taking over for my grandfather, owned Amergian’s variety on oxford street and then the old port general store on market street which is now Pats Pizza and he also owned a bar/Laundry mat on Milk St called Bubbles and brew.

Update: while this project has been delayed it is still moving forward. See this instagram post for the latest info.