U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree and the Maine Labor Relations Board assert that the Starbucks at 176 Middle St. is being closed in retaliation against employees who are unionizing. A spokesperson for the corporation says, "The space is no longer meeting business needs given its small size so a lease renewal will not occur.”
On Nov. 8, voters in Portland and Bar Harbor will vote on whether to limit disembarking cruise ship visitors. This year, Maine will host a total of 360 cruise ships with an estimated 400,000 passengers. Cruise ship visitors spend an estimated $30 million a year in Maine.
Work will begin later this month to modernize the interior and exterior of the former Whit's End Grill, at 123 Madison Ave. The new location is slated to open in December.