Borealis Breads Closing in Portland

The Press Herald reports that Borealis is closing their location on Ocean Street in Portland on Saturday.

Jim Amaral, the well-known Maine baker behind the bistro and the larger Borealis Breads bakeries in Wells and Waldoboro, said the building is owned by his brother, a Massachusetts real estate developer who has decided to sell the property. Amaral said he will focus on the wholesale side of Borealis, “which accounts for most of our business anyway and has been very, very busy the past couple of years.”

The space will be available for lease and Amaral “hopes another food business or restaurant will take over the space and perhaps add dinner service with beer and wine in the evening.”

Closing of Mama’s CrowBar (Updated)

The new issue of The Bollard includes an article on the closing of Mama’s CrowBar.

It might be easy to let a bar in a city full of them close without much acknowledgement, shrugging and muttering something like, “Oh well, guess that’s how business goes these days.” But Mama’s was not just a bar. This place had a significant impact on its rapidly changing neighborhood, on the landscape of craft beer on the peninsula, and on the community that gathered around its taps. And the CrowBar isn’t simply going out of business. Its closure is the culmination of a long and tangled legal battle between Henley and the building’s owners — which is a particularly painful way for a well-loved establishment to meet its demise.

Today is Mama’s official last day in business.

Update: the Press Herald published an article on Tuesday about Mama’s CrowBar.

A Few Changes: Wing Lee, Tawakal Halal, Arabian Days, Discount Halal (Updated)

Wing Lee II has opened on Saint John Street in the space formerly occupied by Jan Mae. The original Wing Lee is located in Scarborough.

Tawakal Halal and the Arabian Days coffee shop have cleared out of 3 Deering Ave in Bramhall Square freeing up some retail space in an increasingly popular stretch of Congress Street.

Earlier this month Discount Halal closed their shop on Washington Ave. The space is now for rent.

Taqueria Tequila has gone out of business. The space at 249 Saint John Street is for rent.

Sangillo’s Closing on Saturday

According to reports from Chris Busby, the Press Herald and The Forecaster, Sangillo’s will be closing for good midnight this Saturday, after 62 years in business.

The 62-year-old bar on Hampshire Street could appeal the state liquor board’s decision, but 30-year-old owner Dana Sangillo said Monday that he has decided to close after last call early Sunday morning. He said he hopes someone will re-open it someday.

 “It’s extremely disappointing,” said Sangillo, who represents the third generation of his family to own and operate the bar. “When you’re around for 60 years, you become part of the community.”

Full Belly Deli Has Closed

The Press Herald has confirmed that the Full Belly Deli has gone out of business.

After 28 years of serving overstuffed pastrami sandwiches, lokshen kugel and hot brisket dinners, Full Belly Deli, Portland’s only Jewish delicatessen, has closed its doors.

Owner David Rosen said the Brighton Avenue deli was a victim of the economy, rising food prices, and competition from the chain restaurants that have proliferated nearby as that part of the city, on the border of Westbrook, has developed in recent years.

The Salt Exchange Closed Permanently

Owner Charlie Bryon announced yesterday that due to the departure of some key staff he’s decided to close and sell The Salt Exchange.

With very short notice and based on the totality of our circumstances, I must close and sell The Salt Exchange Restaurant. It has been my sincere honor to serve the community of Portland and every guest that has graced our threshold. My time working with the very talented and supportive staff through every iteration of the restaurant has been a growth experience that I will always be grateful for.

He goes on to write,

The landscape of Portland is thickly populated by many good restaurants and I am very fortunate to have been counted among them, even if for just five years. I wish my peers the very best of luck and great fortune in their futures. To my guests I humbly thank you for your friendship, support, honesty, and kindness. I owe you my success and will look forward to seeing you soon. Cheers!

Maine Pie Line Closing (Updated)

mpl_logoMaine Pie Line owner Briana Warner has announced that she’s closing the business as of November 8.

…After a fantastic run, the Maine Pie Line will be closing our doors permanently on November 8th. I can’t explain how much we have appreciated all of you as customers and supporters, but new exciting opportunities have opened up for me and I decided to close the company on a high note…

Update: Eater Maine has published an extended interview with Warner about her decision, MPL in general and her next job.

Liquid M2

Urban Eye reports that Liquid M2 has gone out of business.

It seems Liquid M2 on Fore Street is the latest casualty in the green drink economy to go belly up this year. This “farm to bar” lounge has been locked for weeks, their telephone number is disconnected and the owner is MIA. Who would take a vacation in Vacationland during prime time? They have not sent out a social media signal since August 9th.

Portland & Rochester Closing

Portland & Rochester has announced that they’re closing their doors.

Hello to all our friends out there. Thank you all for a wonderful year, it’s been amazing serving you and going through the growth of our beautiful restaurant with you.

Portland & Rochester Pub will be open Today, tomorrow and possibly Thursday this week and then we will be closing our doors. Tegan & I really wanted to be able to run the Pub as well as our Bar Harbor Lobster Pound, but it is proving to be a little too much to handle them both.