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.”

LB Kitchen (website, instagram) has announced plans to open a second location at the Rock Row (website, facebook, instagram) Medical Campus in Westbrook. Owners Bryna Gootkind and chef Lee Farrington hope to launch the new LB Kitchen (instagram) in January.

The 600 sq ft cafe kiosk will be offering pre-packaged versions of the grain, salad and breakfast bowls, sandwiches, and wraps that LB Kitchen in known for. The new location will also serve tea, functional beverages and have a full brewed coffee and espresso bar. Notably, the new LB Kitchen will also be offering new dishes that align with nutritional recommendations from the New England Cancer Specialists and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

LB Kitchen co-owner Bryna Gootkind shared this statement about the new venture,

LB Kitchen’s focus on functional food means looking at ingredients and what they do in our bodies. This lens is helpful in detaching any preconceived value systems from food and ideas that often originate from diet culture and trends. Instead we keep it simple by asking: what can the power of food do for us and how can we make that experience nourishing, delicious and fun…For us, this location is a natural extension of our brand, continuing our focus on how our food is part of a well-being regimen and now more specifically part of a healing process for patients inside this innovative medical center.

Rock Row (website, facebook, instagram) is being developed by the Waterstone Properties Group. The Medical Campus is part of a 26-acre mixed use development located off Brighton Ave near the Portland/Westbrook line. The Medical Campus will be anchored by New England Cancer Specialists. RAYUS Radiology, Saco Bay Physical Therapy, Plastic & Hand Surgical Associates, The Dempsey Center and other organizations will also be located at the new campus along with LB Kitchen. It is expected to launch in early 2025.

Farrington and Gootkind launched LB Kitchen at 249 Congress Street in 2017 and moved into the cafe and market space at the corner of Smith and Congress Streets in early 2023.

To learn more about other new food and dining businesses under development visit our Under Construction page.

Yardie Ting (website, facebook, instagram) is moving to the first floor of the Public Market House where they’re taking over the space formerly occupied by Mr. Tuna.

The move will enable owner Shanna-Kay Wright and her team to serve an expanded menu. She expects to add additional seafood options and salads to the menu. Between the front window seating area and the counter that runs along the kitchen, Yardie Ting will initially have 20+ seats. Wright is also working on adding a table seating area and a small market.

Renovations to the 1,734 sq ft space is currently underway (above right) and Wright expects to launch the new Yardie Ting on Tuesday August 27th. Check the Yardie Ting instagram account to follow along with the renovations and relaunch.

Yardie Ting first moved into the Public Market House in 2019 (see below left). Shown below is a 2020 takeout meal of jerk chicken with mac and cheese, festivals and other sides.

To learn more about other new food and dining businesses under development visit our Under Construction page.