Mary Profenno, 78

Mary Profenno passed away last weekend at the age of 78. Mary and Peter founded Profenno’s Pizzeria in Westbrook in 1962.

While he was the face of the iconic restaurant, it was Mary Profenno who led the charge behind the scenes. She died of an apparent heart attack on Saturday at their home in Portland. She was 78.

The restaurant has been a fixture on Main Street in Westbrook since 1962. Peter Profenno, who was cooking at his restaurant on Wednesday, still oversees its day-to-day operation. She oversaw the business loans and other finances.

Tenant Brewer Bill

The Press Herald reports that the state legislature is considering a bill that would enable brewers to lease excess production capacity to up to 9 tenant brewers.

Sen. Justin Alfond, D-Portland, has introduced a bill that would allow large breweries with excess production capacity to form tenant agreements with as many as nine smaller beer companies to lease brewing time on their equipment – large brewers can host only one tenant brewery now. The arrangements would lower overhead costs for host brewers and reduce taxes for tenants.

The Treehouse

Eater Maine has published a report on The Treehouse, the renamed and recently reopened new incarnation of The Cafe at Pat’s.

After years away from The Cafe, the neighborhood spot he built at 484 Stevens Avenue, owner/chef Greg Gilman has returned. He reopened The Cafe as The Treehouse on January 23, offering a similar menu and even staffed with a similar team, for those who pine for the way things used to be.

Otherside Delicatessen Opening Thursday

othersidePete Sueltenfuss is planning to open his new market in East Deering, the Otherside Delicatessen(facebook), this Thursday. The Otherside will sell house butchered and cured meats, sandwiches, pizzas, pastas, prepared meals to go as well as market staples.

Hours at the Otherside will be: Monday – Friday 8 -7, Saturday 9 – 6 and closed on Sunday.

Since moving to to Maine from Massachusetts, Sueltenfuss has worked for Fore Street, Miyake, Rosemont and helped launch District. For two years until early 2014 he was the executive chef at Grace.