Wednesday – Maker’s Galley is holding a winter cooking party.
Thursday – Roma is holding a 5-course Piedmont wine dinner., and Judy Gibson is holding a 4-course Croatian and Slovenian wine dinner–both wine dinners are priced at $75 per person.
January 18 – Fork Food Lab is kicking off their food business webinar series.
February 10 – The Yard is hold a pre-Valentine’s Day Dueling Pianos event.
Valentine’s Day
The Bangor Daily News and Press Herald have both taken a look at how restaurants are responding to the challenge of operating during the pandemic.
The emerging omicron variant is the latest stumbling block for restaurants, with cases expected to skyrocket soon in Maine. The spreading virus, occasional restaurant closures and ongoing staffing shortages are adding more financial stress on top of already reduced business hours, supply chain issues and rising costs.
The Portland City Council recently reinstituted a mask mandate for indoor spaces including restaurants, and a small but growing number of restaurants and bars are opting to put in place proof of vaccination policies (see list).
A new cocktail/oyster bar and restaurant called Paper Tiger (facebook, instagram) is under construction at 425 Fore Street in the space formerly occupied by the Maine Lobster Shack. Co-owners Michael Fraser, Nace Cohen and Marcus Alcantara are currently renovating and reconfiguring the space with hopes to open by early spring. When construction is complete Paper Tiger will have a 12-14 seat bar, counter seating along the front window facing Fore Street, as well as some small and large booths and outdoor seating.
The menu and concept draw on a wide variety of influences,
Inspired partly by traditional fast food, partly by oyster bars, and partly by late night Chinese restaurants, Paper Tiger’s food offerings are eclectic, but the central theme here is bold flavors executed with locally sourced, seasonally appropriate seafood, meats, and veggies. The intense tastes of Polynesian dishes, the smack of umami from Japanese street food, the richness of American burgers and wings, whole grilled fish, noodle dishes, lobster fried rice, simple vegetable dishes, and a killer raw bar with oysters and crudo… Exotic flavors, American flair, New England products, and crazy creativity come together at Paper Tiger.
Similarly the cocktail menu will incorporate a variety of concepts with an emphasis on island-style classic cocktails and rum-based drinks. Alcantara will be developing three different house rum blends and is planning to stock a large selection of rums, mezcals, and tequilas. Local craft beer as well as wine will also be part of the bar program.
Fraser got his start in the industry working first at Cinque Terre and then as a server at Fore Street; he is the co/owner of Congress Bar and Grill as well as Bramhall and Roma Cafe. Alcantara who will be the bar manager and front of house manager, and Cohen who will be the chef, have both been part of the team at Bramhall and Roma. Cohen’s resume includes time working at Central Provision, the Gramercy Tavern in New York (2014 – 2016) and Tail Up Goat in DC (2016 – 2018). Alcantara has managed cocktail bars in Tennessee, North Carolina, Seattle and Washington.
The partners hope to open Paper Tiger by early spring.
Wednesday – it’s the official opening day of Smalls.
January 13 – Roma is holding a 5-course Piedmont wine dinner., and Judy Gibson is holding a 4-course Croatian and Slovenian wine dinner–both wine dinners are priced at $75 per person.
January 14 – The Good Food Foundation will be announcing the winners of the 2022 awards program; 10 Maine food producers are finalists this year, and Black Tie is kicking-off a spring cooking class series.
Sebago Brewing is closing their Fore Street location as of January 29th, reports the Press Herald and Mainebiz.
The company said it plans to put the money into upgrading its three other brewpubs and improve the canning line at its Gorham brewery.
The company said its workers in Portland were notified of the decision and the company is looking to relocate them to the other locations or other positions with the company. The Portland location will close Jan. 29.
The Press Herald and Bangor Daily News have published reports on a recent walkout by Portland Pie staff “to protest the company’s handling of COVID-19 cases in the restaurant and working conditions overall.”
Frustrated workers walked off their jobs at the Portland Pie Co. in Portland to protest the company’s handling of COVID-19 cases in the restaurant and working conditions overall.
Sunday started poorly at the pizza restaurant and bar on York Street. The kitchen was understaffed, the computer system couldn’t accept gift cards and some other payments, and people were stressed about recent COVID-19 infections among their colleagues, said Ashley McAndrew, a former bartender.
Stars and Stripes Brewing Co. (website, facebook, instagram) has leased the space formerly occupied by Lio at 3 Spring Street where they plan to open a second location.
Stars & Stripes opened their original location in Freeport in November 2018. They anticipate launching their Portland tasting room this spring/summer where they will serve wine, prosecco on tap and light food options in addition to their own beer.
Smalls (website, instagram) is scheduled to officially open this Wednesday. The cafe, market and wine bar is located 28 Brackett Street. Along with drip coffee, espresso-based drinks, natural wine and light fare Smalls will also sell a wide variety of pantry items, food stuffs, art and wellness items. Smalls will be serving Variety Coffee and will be sourcing baked goods from Lion’s Share Bread.
Smalls is being launched by Samantha Knopf, Arryan Decatur and Karl Deuben. Smalls will be open 8 am to 6 pm.
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Maine Sunday Telegram restaurant critic Andrew Ross has shared his list of favorite food experiences of 2021.
Whatever else I think about this inconstant, mercurial year, I can’t deny that it delivered more than its share of culinary bright spots. Here’s hoping 2022 brings us plenty more.
Welcome to the January 2022 edition of the Portland Food Map restaurant real estate listings sponsored by The Boulos Company. This monthly column gathers in one convenient place the spaces available in Portland that could be potential sites for restaurants and food producers/retailers to locate their next business.
Even during the pandemic many people are pursuing their dreams and opening new food businesses. Finding the right spot is one of the crucial early challenges in launching a new business and hopefully this new resource will make that step just a little bit easier.
West End
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.
101 York St – 2,179 – 5,212 sq ft of space in the new building on the corner of York and High Street is available for $15-20/sq ft (NNN). The space already has a hood vent and grease traps installed.
Arts District
554 Congress St – 1,397 – 1,621 sq ft former Dunkin’ Donuts space with hood for $1,518-2,301/month (NNN).
555 Congress St – the former Five Fifty-Five building is for sale for $2,400,000.
642 Congress St – the former Ada’s space is available to sublet; 2,569 sq ft (MG).
Bayside
170 Anderson St – 2,000 – 3,500 sq ft in East Bayside available for $15/sq ft (NNN).
15 Chestnut St – the 14,000 sq ft building that was the former home of Grace is for sale for $3,730,000.
31 Diamond St – this 2,800 – 22,034 sq ft industrial space in East Bayside is available for $16/sq ft (NNN).
178 Kennebec St – 4 retail spaces (1,800 – 5,314 sq ft) on the first floor of a new building for $30/sq ft (NNN).
Old Port
1 Commercial St – the original location of Benkay at the corner of Commercial and India Streets is available. The 2,494 sq ft is for lease at $35/sq ft (NNN).
383 Commercial St – 1,639 – 3,487 of retail space on Commercial Street for $28/sq ft (NNN).
98 Cross St – 3,803 sq ft in the space formerly occupied by Rhum is available for $20/sq ft (MG). The entrance is on the backside of the Free Street building that Arabica is in and is a couple doors down from the Portland Yoga Collective.
30 Danforth St – 1,881 and 2,900 sq ft of space are for lease at $2,900 – $3,950/month (MG).
446 Fore St – 1,600 – 3,400 sq ft in the former Pearl space with entrances on Wharf and Fore Streets is available for $30-40/sq ft (MG).
40 Free St – the new building constructed by JB Brown has four storefronts ranging in size from 1,358 to 3,067 sq ft for $30/sq ft (NNN).
5 India St – 1,250 – 2,500 sq ft for $35/sq ft (NNN) in a new building under construction near the intersection with Commercial St.
47 India St – 1,000 sq ft of the former Lois’ Market building is for lease, $40/sq ft (NNN).
38 Market St – a 1,200 subterranean space near the intersection with Milk Street for $1,175/month (MG).
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).
1 Monument Square – 1,500 sq ft of first floor space for $3,125/month (MG).
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).
3 Portland Square – This new building will include 2,500 – 20,000 square feet of retail space for$28.50/sq ft.
41 Wharf St – the former Jager space is available; 1,107 sq ft for $43/sq ft (MG).
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/Washington Ave
251 Congress St – 1,036 sq ft of space is available as of March 1st; $3,250/month (NNN). This listing includes basement access and one parking spot (with option to rent additional parking spaces). Email for more information.
100 Fore St – 3,000 sq ft of space that the listing says is “ideally suited for a restaurant use” for $27-30/sq ft (NNN).
22 Hancock St – 978 sq ft for $2,300/month (MG).
Forest Ave
333 Forest Ave – a 2,468 retail space is available for $16/sq ft (MG).
701 Forest Ave – this former Rite Aid building is being converted and has 4 retail spaces available for $16-20/sq ft (NNN).
945 Forest Ave – 500- 1,220 sq ft of space in the former Photo Market building for $12/sq ft (NNN).
1190 Forest Ave – located right in the center of Morrill’s Corner; 1,500 – 5,082 sq ft for $12/sq ft (NNN).
Other
170 Brighton Ave – a 2,173 sq ft free-standing building which most recently was home to D Ajan’s Market, includes parking; $22/sq ft.
873 Brighton Ave – the 1,334 sq ft building that formerly housed the Redemption Center is for sale for $465,000.
441 Congress St – The 2,400 sq ft former home of Guitar Grave across the street from 1 Monument Square is available for $20/sq ft.
1020 Congress St – a 3,375 service station that is going to be “redeveloped as part a planned mixed use development”. The finished space will be available for $18/sq ft (NNN).
88 Danforth St – a 1,231 sq ft free-standing building on Danforth Street is for sale for $269,000.
132 Marginal Way – 1,584 sq ft of retail space available for $25/sq ft (NNN).
155 Riverside St – the Season’s Bar & Grille and Banquet Center is for lease. The 23,750 sq ft facility includes parking and all furniture, fixtures and equipment.
240 Saint John St – 1,661 – 10,000 sq ft in Union Station Plaza for $12-14/sq ft (NNN)
Westgate Shopping Center – two spaces are for lease at $17-37/sq ft (NNN).
158 Pickett St, South Portland – the former home of 158 Pickett Street Cafe is for lease. Call (207) 615-2858 for more information.
23 Lincoln St, Biddeford – a 12,600 sq ft space divided equally on two floors, each floor has a kitchen with hoods is available for $11/sq ft (NNN). Contact Tony Delois for more information at anthony@uncommongroups.com.
Biscuits & Co, Biddeford – Biscuits & Co closed on October 16th and the business and equipment is for sale. Contact Biscuitsandcompany@gmail.com 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.
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.