Photo / Alexis Wells
BiddoBanh owners Jonah and Sima Reagle.
Updated: November 10, 2023
Friday Food Insider: Restaurants are opening, closing and changing hands
Photo / Peter Van Allen
Brickyard Hollow at 9 Commercial St. in Portland is expanding its dining area into the former Maker’s Galley cafe, market and event space next door.
In the past few months, Maine has seen a lengthy menu of restaurants come, go and turn over ownership. Let’s take a foodie trip around the state to look at some of the changes.
Openings
- BiddoBanh at 299 Main St. in Biddeford opened on Oct. 13. The eatery is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.
- Brickyard Hollow opened a new artisanal craft pizza destination at 1 Stephen King Drive in Augusta. Owner Brad Moll told Mainebiz that the location at 9 Commercial St. in Portland will expand its dining area into the former Maker’s Galley cafe, market and event space next door. “We will not be closed for renovations,” said Moll. “We hope to have that space
- The Grill Room, at 84 Exchange St. in Portland, is open again five months after a major fire damaged parts of the building.
- Cheese Louise, a restaurant chain specializing in artisan grilled cheese sandwiches, plans to open its fourth location — at Westbrook’s Rock Row development. The new location is slated to open in 2025.
- Matchamood, Maine’s first matcha bar, opened Sept. 17 at 654 Congress St., Portland. It features matcha-infused drinks and baked goods.
- Orange Bike Brewing Co., which will open Nov. 18 at 31 Diamond St., will offer nine gluten-free beers.
- Oak & Ember, at 1420 Long Plains Road in Buxton, has opened on the site of the former Buxton Common restaurant. Menu items include Roasted Bistro Steak, Tagliatelle Bolognese, Mustard House Ribs and more.
- Red City Ale House, at 8 Main St. in Windham, was converted from the former South Windham Fire Station into a full-service restaurant.
- Construction is currently taking place at 172 Main St. in Saco for a new wine spot, simply called Good Wine Bar.
- Also in Saco, a coffee shop called Swell is opening its doors at 200 Main St. If you need a fix of nitro cold brew, this is the place for you.
Closings
Photo / Alexis Wells
Coffee by Design has officially closed its Congress Street location.
- Starbucks at 594 Congress St., closed on Nov. 5.
- Judy Gibson, a small-plates restaurant at 171 Ocean St. in South Portland, is shuttering permanently on Nov. 19.
- The Danforth restaurant and cocktail bar at 211 Danforth St. in Portland closed its doors at the end of September.
- Coffee By Design closed its original coffeehouse location at 620 Congress St. in Portland on Oct. 31.
- The Maker’s Galley, a Portland café, store and event space at 5 Commercial St. on the city's East End, closed its doors at the end of September.
Changing hands
- The Lincolnville Center General Store, at 269 Main St. in Lincolnville, includes a popular dining space and kitchen. The building was once owned by Jon Fishman, former drummer and co-founder of the progressive rock band Phish, and is on the market for $3 million.
- Owners of Pizza by Michael, at 12 Common St. in Saco, known by locals as Michael's Pizza, will
Photo / Renee CordesThe Good Table restaurant, located at 527 Ocean House Road in Cape Elizabeth, has been a local mainstay since 1986. - The Good Table restaurant, located at 527 Ocean House Road in Cape Elizabeth, has been sold to the Prentice Hospitality Group.
- Sarah's Cafe & Twin Schooners Pub at 43-45 Water St. in Wiscasset was sold and is now Jodie’s Café, Bakery & Restaurant.
What other restaurants have opened that you were excited to see? The Mainebiz Food Insider wants to know! Contact Alexis Wells at awells@mainebiz.biz
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