Restaurant Real Estate: February 2022

| Posted in Under Construction, Real Estate

Welcome to the February 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).

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).

211 Marginal Way – the 4,052 sq ft space on the corner of Marginal Way and Franklin occupied by Bayside Bark is for lease for $40/sq ft (NNN).

Deering Oaks Castle – see this RFP for complete details and application process.

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.

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).

75 Market St – the 5,474 sq ft space on the corner of Market and Middle Streets occupied by Rambler’s Way is for lease for $37/sq ft (MG).

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).

651 Forest Ave – a 2,200 sq ft retail space in the Odd Fellows building in Woodford’s Corner for $2,500/month (MG).

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).

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.

Roll Call in Market House

| Posted in Under Construction

Roll Call (instagram) has leased the former Big Sky Bakery space on the first floor of the Public Market House. The new Roll Call will have an expanded menu serving breakfast and lunch and will have some limited indoor seating. Timing on the opening is TBD pending renovations.

Roll Call initially launched as a pop-up at Austin Street Brewing before opening their sandwich shop on Clark Street. The Clark Street location closed in early 2021 and that summer the Roll Call team launched a food truck. Owners Michael and Siobhan Sindoni have subsequently opened the Wayside Tavern in Parkside.

Fish & Whistle Pop-up at Lorne

| Posted in Events

Fish and Whistle, the new restaurant under construction in Biddeford, will be working with Lorne Wine to hold a pop-up event on Valentine’s Day. The pop-up is taking place February 14th, 4 – 9 pm.

Here’s a look at the food menu for the event. Lorne will have wine and beer specials all night.

Fish Sandwich – $14
Battered and fried fish, milk bread bun, tartar, lettuce, pickles on side

Fish Chowder – $9
Cream, clam and fish stock, saltines

Fries – $5
Hand cut fries, salt, malt vinegar, mayo

Oysters – 6/$15 12/$30
Mignonette, lemon

Mango Tart – $5
Mango curd, whipped cream cheese, honey

The Sinful Kitchen Relocating

| Posted in Under Construction

The Sinful Kitchen has announced plans to relocate to 952 Brighton Ave when their current lease expires. The new restaurant is expected to open in April, and until then they’ll continue to operate from their current location just down the road at 906 Brighton Ave.

The AWESOME news is that it will be just 4 doors down at 952 Brighton Ave. (The old Subway Sandwich Shop)

Get ready for better parking, easy in and out access, bigger space, bigger menu, outdoor dining ( possibly year round) and the list goes on…..

We’re hoping to be open in the new location around April without too much of an interruption in business but that will depend on the various contractors that we need to coordinate as well as approval from the city council since this is considered a “new” business.

Until then keep visiting us at our current location.

Allagash x The Purple House/Bresca

| Posted in Events

Chef Krista Kern Desjarlais from The Purple House/Bresca & the Honey Bee and Allagash Brewing Company have joined forces to produce a special Valentine’s beer and ice cream event.

The collaboration features two Allagash beers and the frozen treats that Desjarlais has produced with them:

  • My One And Only paired a beer-infused custard ice cream made with wood roasted plums, raspberry and cherries.
  • Heart of Hearts paired with a vegan darkest chocolate ice cream made with beer-infused dark chocolate and raspberry truffles.

The event is taking place on Saturday February 12 (noon – 4) at the Allagash tasting room on Industrial Way.

First Look: Regards

| Posted in Reviews

The Blueberry Files has published a first look at Regards.

The menu was described to us during the Friday night preview as “L.A.-meets-Maine” and has a strong seafood focus with a big selection of tequila and mezcal. The menu definitely belies the cold temperatures we’ve had in Maine lately, but still felt hearty enough to enjoy on a January evening.

Regards is set to open Tuesday night at 5 pm.

Gather Changing Hands

| Posted in Under Construction

Krista Cole, the owner of Sur Lie in Portland, has bought Gather in Yarmouth from the restaurant’s founder, Matt Chappell.

Cole shared on instagram,

I met Matt at Gather many years ago for an industry event. When I learned that he was selling Gather, I reached out. I learned over the next several months about Matt and Gather’s steadfast commitment to buying local and to their community. I got to meet a team that cared equally as much about the relationships they had with their regulars and the impact that supporting local had on their community. The values were identical to that of Sur Lie. Having a sister restaurant was a dream that seemed far away, and here was an opportunity to take over and continue the important work that Gather has been doing.

I am so stoked to share the work that the Sur Lie and Gather teams have done over the last few weeks. We’ve done some minor touch ups to the space to make it our own, and the chefs have been hard at work collaborating on a menu that we kick off this week! We look forward to connecting with you and contributing to the Yarmouth community.

Chappell also shared thoughts on the transition.

Ten years ago, I started Gather Restaurant so Yarmouth could enjoy fresh Maine food in a friendly, neighborhood environment. This month, I’m proud to pass the reins to Gather’s new owner – Krista Cole. Through her success as owner of Sur Lie, Krista has demonstrated her commitment to Maine farms and shown that she can thrive in this challenging industry. She shares the values that have made Gather what it is today, and I can’t wait to see how she will make it her own.

I am forever grateful for my staff, and for all the supportive customers.

Gather opened on September 21, 2012 with Chad Conley as its original chef. At the start of the pandemic Chappell and his team have been active participants in Cooking for Community, a program that brought Maine restaurants and social service organizations together to fight hunger. Chappell announced his plan to sell Gather this past August.

Fish & Whistle to Open in Biddeford

| Posted in Under Construction

Kate Hamm and husband Jason Eckerson have leased the former Yeto’s space at 299 Maine Street in Biddeford where they plan to open a  New England-style fish and chips restaurant called Fish & Whistle (instagram). The restaurant is named for a song by John Prine.

The menu will include fish and chips as well as fish and chicken sandwiches, a calamari burger made with Maine squid, smoked tempeh sandwich served with sour kraut and mustard on rye, salad, chowder, a smoked mackerel fish dip, hand cut fries, seasonal vegetable slaw and a chip butty sandwich. Fish and chips will be available in half and full sized portions for $12 or $19. Additionally, the dessert menu will includes soft serve ice cream as well as Hamm’s excellent cakes and tarts by the slice.

Hamm is the pastry chef at Leeward and founder of Sweet Woodruff Provisions. Eckerson has worked for Big Tree Hospitality where he’s been the sous chef at Eventide and seafood buyer. The couple hope to open Fish & Whistle in April.

Yeto’s and its sister restaurant D&G went out of business in early December.