Coffee Shops Move/Expand: Omi’s, Daily Grind

According to the Sentry, Omi’s Coffee Shop is hoping to move from its current location in the West End to Meeting House Hill in South Portland,

The change will allow the conversion of office space at 372 Cottage Road to retail food service. Cape Elizabeth resident Gail Bruzgo requested the change in hopes of relocating her business, Omi’s Coffee Shop, from Brackett Street in Portland. Bruzgo said she did not realize until after buying the building that a business like her coffee shop would not be allowed in the Residential Transition Zone, which was limited to residential housing and office space.

and the Press Herald reports that the Daily Grind coffee drive through in Westbrook is planning to expand into a traditional sit down coffee shop.

They knew it was time. The Daily Grind will open a sit-down shop next door to the drive-thru, which will stay open.

“When that building sold, we knew that Maine Med was going to be there for the long term, and we really needed to jump on this opportunity quickly,” Sue Salisbury said.

Under Construction: Scratch’s Toast Bar

Here’s a look at the Toast Bar that Scratch Baking has under construction on Broadway.

We’ll be toasting up our amazing bread and famous bagels and offering an array of toppings including Casco Bay butter, homemade jams & jellies, our delicious plain and herbed cream cheese, Myrt’s pimento cheese, as well as many other intriguing options and combinations. We’ll be pouring Coffee By Design, Speckled Ax and Rwanda Bean Co. coffee as well as making our fantastic espresso drinks.

Under Construction: Kind Stack Sandwich Co.

Parker Auger is developing a new food cart, the Kind Stack Sandwich Company (instagram).

Kind Stack’s menu will “focus on Italian grinder style sandwiches” like a classic Italian (capocollo, mortadella, slami, sopressata, prosciutto, pepperoni), and a Muffuletta (sopressata, mortadella, capocollo, olive relish). Auger plans to locate on Commercial Street and make the brewery circuit.

Auger has been on the bakery staff at Scratch Baking Company, and prior to that worked as the pastry chef at Local 188.

Under Construction: Union Bagel

The Forecaster has published an update on second bakery Union Bagel has under construction on Veranda Street.

“We’re opening a second location primarily to accommodate growing demand from wholesale customers,” Farrell said. “The shop on Cumberland Avenue is too small to handle that and our increased retail business.”

Farrell said the Veranda Street shop, near Washington Avenue, would be “very similar” to the Cumberland Avenue operation and the hope is that it will be open by late August.

Union Bagel is also in the process of rebuilding their patio on Cumberland Ave.

Bayside: Kick Start Kitchen

Proposals under consideration for West Bayside development on the site of the former public works department buildings include,

At 65 Hanover St., staff is recommending a proposal by Rory Strunk, of O’Maine Studios, for a “world-class culinary media and event center that has a global draw.” In addition to having a “Kick Start Kitchen” for incubating aspiring chefs, the building also could host food festivals.