Sisters Sophia Normantas and Marie Grasser have leased space at 20 Alfred Street in Biddeford where they plan to open a new bar called Apéro (instagram).

The 40-seat establishment will serve light bites, charcuterie, cocktails, mocktails, and wine. The cocktail list is still under development but is expected to offer a diverse seasonal selection of with all their drinks to be topped off “with a dazzling garnish.”

Renovations are underway with the hope to open Apéro in October. As they shared in an online video they “want it to be moody, sexy, fun” and create a place where customers can “sit with a beautiful cocktail in a gorgeous environment” and enjoy time with friends.

Normantas and Marie Grasser shared that they have always wanted to create a business together. Grasser is also the owner of Charcutemarie (instagram) a business that prepares charcuterie and cheese boards for weddings and events.

A new cafe called Second Rodeo Coffee (instagram) is under construction in Ferry Village. Owner Lana Cooney has leased the former Knitting Nook space at 124 Sawyer Street where she hopes to open Second Rodeo this fall.

Cooney shared,

The concept and imagination behind Second Rodeo Coffee comes from my personal experience of finding community in coffee shop environments. There is something special about knowing customers by name and/or order, and having the ability to introduce folks to one another. I find there to be major transformative potential in these interactions! We’ve seen so many of these third spaces disappear for countless reasons over the last few years. I believe they’re the cornerstones of our communities, and I’m excited to be able to foster one in my own community of South Portland.

The counter service cafe will offer a full line-up of brewed coffee and espresso-based drinks prepared with Vivid Coffee and and will also serve a rotating selection of other roasters. Cooney is Canadian and is planning to have some roasters from Montreal in the line up. The menu will include pastries, breakfast sandwiches and lunch sandwiches. The 20-seat cafe will be organized into several casual seating areas decorated with vintage furniture and lighting in different styles. The 1,200 sq ft space will also have a small stage for musical acts or readings.

The name of the cafe is a reference to her own career path which transitioned in 2020 from being a drummer and vocalist with the band Caveboy to working in the hospitality industry. Leading up to launching her own business Cooney has worked at Little Woodfords, Solo Cucina and Ugly Duckling.

Follow the Second Rodeo Coffee instagram account for progress updates. To learn more about other new food and dining businesses under development visit our Under Construction page.

A sports bar called Oddfellahs is under construction at 55 Market Street in the space that was occupied by The Big Easy which closed in 2013. Oddfellahs is being launched by the owners of the Portland Regency Hotel.

Co-owner Michael Cianchette shared in the cover letter submitted with the Oddfellahs liquor license application,

Right now, there are few locations in the downtown area that truly capture the community and camaraderie that come with watching sports. We look forward to creating a space that can build that for the future.

In addition to operating as a sports bar, the owners plan to operate a betting parlor. Also from Cianchette’s cover letter, “We have been closely coordinating with several of Maine’s Wabanaki tribes to find opportunities to help mutually advance the market in a responsible manner that benefits Mainers.”