Category: Under Construction

Gorgeous Gelato is in the early stages of planning a second location.

Portland Daily Photo has published a very nice set of images taken at Salvage BBQ (facebook, twitter, website), the new barbeque spot on Congress Street that’s set to open in the next week or so. Salvage is the creation of Jay Villani and his team at Local 188/Sonny’s.

Villani and crew are also building out Ideal Bakery just up the street across from the old Roma restaurant.

Austin Street Brewery (facebook, twitter) has leased the former Bull Jager space at One Industrial Way, the area of town that’s already home to Allagash, Geary’s, New England Distilling, Bissell Brother’s and Foundation Brewing. One Industrial Way was also the original location for both Rising Tide and Maine Beer Company.

Austin Street is owned by Will Fisher and Jake Austin is the new operation’s brewer. The two ran an event back in May, the tap menu from the event included a pale ale, a black IPA, a double IPA, a wheat beer, and a blond ale, as well as a porter, a stout, and a barleywine.

The Munjoy Hill News reports that Salvage BBQ should be open before the end of the month.

“It’s the calm before the storm,” said Garry Bowcott, of the lull before the opening of the Salvage Barbeque later this month.  Salvage Barbeque, 919 Congress Street, is the third restaurant owned by the well-liked Jay Villani. And both Villani and Bowcott are confident it will be open by Labor Day and quite likely next week.

El Rayo (website, facebook, twitter) has leased a 4,500 square foot building on Route 1 in Scarborough’s Oak Hill neighborhood where they plan to open a second El Rayo restaurant. Owner Tod Dana tells me they’re planning to stay close to the concept that’s been a success in Portland with “a few twists and surprises” thrown in for good measure.

El Rayo hasn’t yet set an opening date for the Scarborough location, but hope to be up and running sometime in the Spring of 2014. Once the Scarborough location is open they’ll be looking for other towns where their restaurant would be a fit.

This news comes on the heals of yesterday’s announcement that Pom’s Thai Taste will be opening a branch in Falmouth, and an increasing number of restaurant opening in South Portland including an Otto Pizza.

A report in today’s Press Herald suggests we may one day see a retail fish market and restaurant operating on the Maine Wharf.

[Developer Pat] Tinsman said he has received interest from people who want to open a fish market close to Commercial Street and a seafood restaurant next door…Tinsman said interest from the prospective restaurateur and fish market operator is “serious” but no formal agreements have been signed.

Elsemere BBQ and Wood Grill has announced that they’ll be opening next Saturday on August 17th.

Leigh Kellis, owner of The Holy Donut, has leased 7 Exchange Street and plans to open a second retail location in the Old Port. 7 Exchange was formerly occupied by the Exchange Street Cafe.