Category: General News

The Portland Daily Sun, Bangor Daily News, The Forecaster and Press Herald report that, at last night’s meeting, the City Council unanimously voted to revise the city’s food truck ordinance.

The amendments to the ordinances related to food trucks — which were passed unanimously — will allow trucks to be parked with 65 feet of each other but not an open restaurant; restructure the permitting process and fee; increase the size limits on trucks; and ease the time restrictions for trucks set up in metered parking spaces, giving them an extra two hours. [PDS]

Beer Babe has posted a piece explaining the impact the government shutdown will have on Maine brewers.

It’s not prohibition all over again, but there are some significant impacts to craft brewers ahead if the government shutdown that started today carries on for any length of time. Specifically, getting new breweries online and the release of new and seasonal beers are in jeopardy.

The impact will also extend to the small but growing craft distilling industry in Maine. New England Distilling commented on twitter that their whiskey label approval has just made it through but not all the distillers will probably have such good timing.

The voting has begun for Buy Local’s Indie Biz awards. Coffee by Design, DiMillo’s, Harbor Fish, Local Sprouts, Miyake, Portland & Rochester, the Portland Food Co-op, Rosemont, The Honey Exchange and Urban Farm Fermentory are all nominees.

Visit the Buy Local website to vote for your favorites in each of the 10 categories.

Today’s Press Herald reports on the impact of the Pirate’s departure from the Civic Center on local bars and restaurants.

At Binga’s Stadium, a sports bar directly across Free Street from the civic center, the return of the hockey team after the civic center’s $34 million renovation was seen as “the light at the end of the tunnel,” said its general manager.

For months, the bar has dealt with the noise and dirt of the renovation, as well as the closed streets and lost parking spaces, said Rob Kolodzej. But the Pirates always brought in many fans for pre- and post-game chicken wings and beer, he said.

Today’s paper also has a follow-up on restaurant inspector Michele Sturgeon’s resignation.

The Press Herald reports that restaurant inspector Michelle Sturgeon has resigned.

Sturgeon found herself in the center of controversy in September 2012 when she closed the popular Porthole Restaurant, Comedy Connection and Harbour’s Edge banquet hall because of a rat infestation. The restaurant, which underwent a major renovation, has since reopened under new ownership.

Maine Beer Tours is running an Indiegogo campaign to crowd source funds needed to replace their tour bus. So far they’ve raised $2,524 of a $4,500 goal and have 2 days left in the campaign.

Hunt & Alpine Club bartender/owner Andrew Volk was quoted in article in Bon Appetit about the advantages of batch prepared libations.

Additionally, Volk was interviewed by Dinner Party Download for a humorous piece about the government’s mid-century Hurricane Modification Program as part of their ongoing and “rarely imitated history lesson with booze” series.

Today’s Press Herald includes an update on the Fore Street fire that has impacted Joe’s NY Pizza, Street & Co, Dancing Elephant, Mark’s Place, Old Port Candy and East End Cupcake.

Some of the businesses directly affected by Thursday’s fire on Fore Street in the Old Port may not reopen for several weeks, depending on how long it takes to bring the building up to code.

There was a 3-alarm fire on Fore Street early this morning. According to a report from the Press Herald,

[Fire Chief] LaMoria said at least five businesses in the building at 420 Fore St., which faces both Fore and Wharf streets, were severely impacted, including Street & Co., the Dancing Elephant II and Joe’s New York Pizza.

He said the businesses could be closed for several days if not weeks.

For additional information see this piece from WMTW.

UPDATE: Here’s some clarification and further detail from The Forecaster,

The blaze damaged businesses including the Dancing Elephant II Indian restaurant, Joe’s New York Slice Bar, and Mark’s Place, LaMoria said. There were also reports of damage to Street & Co. The apartments above the businesses were not damaged by the fire, but were damaged by smoke and water.

The Munjoy Hill News has also posted a report on the fire.