“Once the road closed, that’s when everything took a turn,” says Portland business owner Angela Drinkwater.
She’s talking about the construction of an 18-story building in downtown Portland – a project that’s quite literally serving as a roadblock for potential customers of her business, Old Port Nutrition, which she opened at 23 Temple Street in November 2021.
“When people see bucket loaders and police cars with flashing lights, they aren’t walking that far,” she says.
201 Federal Street will include 263 market-rate apartments. Photo by Emma Joyce.
Drinkwater sells specialty drinks – teas and shakes that provide “good, clean energy.”
But, because of the disruption to the streets that lead to her shop, her numbers are down – substantially. “It’s been very challenging,” she says.
Just around the corner, at 225 Federal Street, the windows of The Eighty 8 Donut Cafe directly face this massive project, which is led by Scarborough-based Landry/French Construction. The mixed-use building is slated for completion in 2023 and will include 263 market-rate apartments, a fitness room, commercial office suite, lounge spaces for co-working and an outdoor plaza.
Windows of Eighty 8 Donuts look out onto construction of 201 Federal Street. Photo by Emma Joyce.
Eighty 8 Donuts co-owners Ellen O’Keefe and Garrett Champlin say the disruption has affected their business, but they’ve felt support from 201 Federal Street managers who have bought gift cards to their shop for crew members. The construction workers have been friendly and accommodating – stopping in to buy donuts and coffee and helping with deliveries by clearing the road when they can.
“It’s not an equal replacement of sales, but the gesture has been appreciated,” O’Keefe says.
For Some, No Advance Notice
Drinkwater describes the construction as happening, “one day, all of a sudden,” without effective communication.
Similarly, Dru Finesse, the general manager of Free Street, a restaurant and cocktail bar owned by Jay A. Town and located at 77 Free Street, says he did not have any advance warning that a separate construction project would disrupt his street. Free Street is a new business as well, having opened in December 2021.
Just five months after opening, the four-phase Congress Square Redesign commenced, which will continue until June 30, 2023.
Free Street offers craft beer, Art Rave nights and is launching a new menu. Photo by Emma Joyce.
“Being a first-year business, we’ve been pretty seriously impacted,” Finesse says. When he first opened the restaurant he noted an influx of customers, but then he saw a serious decline once construction started, and roads and sidewalks were blocked.
The large-scale renovation aims to revamp the overall look and feel of the Arts District with new sidewalks, landscaping and traffic lights. Roadway improvements will be complemented by enhancements to Congress Square Park and better integration of public art.
Congress Square construction at end of Free Street. Photo by Emma Joyce.
But the food and beverage industries depend on sales every week. Small business owners and managers can’t bide their time, waiting idly for months or years on end until construction projects are complete. There are bills to pay, ingredients to order, tips to be earned. And if feet aren’t making their way towards seats, that’s a serious problem.
“It’s taken a lot of rebranding and extra money to get people here,” Finesse says.
In addition to the end of Free Street being closed, there are some days when he doesn’t even know how to get to work himself, as access to other attaching streets has been limited.
A Growing City
Construction projects can be a sign of progress and growth. They can usher in new improvements, generate revenue, attract more tourists and provide additional housing.
With the excitement of development comes the reality of the process, which can include grating noises of jackhammers, bulldozers and forklifts, eyesores like chain-link fencing, confusing signage and restrictions that prohibit the movement of vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians.
In general, this creates an atmosphere not conducive to the relaxation and fun that most diners seek in a foodie city like Portland.
Questions arise, like, who should bear the brunt of this process? Is it just tough luck for those who work and live close by? What compensation or support can be provided?
Looking For Help
When a family builds a new home in the suburbs, they might offer up baked goods to their neighbors with promises to host backyard barbeques in the future, but in a commercial district, where livelihoods depend on bottom lines in the black, pleasantries can only go so far.
Finesse would like to receive more support from the city. “It wouldn’t cost the city too much money to have a representative for construction impact who could communicate with local businesses, provide good advance notice before construction and, every month or two, check in to see how they could help.”
He also suggests that the city could foot the bill for advertisements in local newspapers and magazines for businesses impacted by construction.
Drinkwater would appreciate some sort of rent subsidy or a kickback for leasing costs.
O’Keefe and Champlin feel they have received strong and prompt communication from the city and 201 Federal Street through letters and meeting opportunities, but they suggest that communication to the public could be increased.
“You have to go into these challenging situations with an open mind to find common ground,” Champlin says.
Taking Matters into Their Own Hands
In the meantime, business owners and managers are doing everything in their power to keep retaining customers and reaching new audiences.
Drinkwater is creating special menus for students at Portland High School who enjoy flocking to her store for plant-based, high-protein shakes and colorful teas that cascade over crushed ice. As a barista with decades of industry experience, she loves the creativity and playfulness that her job allows. She continues to invent novel flavor combinations, offers discounts for new customers and holds a Happy Hour from 3-4 p.m. with $1 off drinks.
Old Port Nutrition serves up shakes and teas. Photo by Emma Joyce.
Finesse is looking forward to the start of ice hockey season, as the minor league Maine Mariners play in the Cross Insurance Arena right across from his restaurant. The 6,200-seat arena also draws in crowds for concerts and shows; Finesse says he’d love for these folks to stop into Free Street before or after their evening of entertainment. He also hosts a popular Art Rave every month with DJs, blacklights and live art.
“We have 28 taps – all local craft beer — one of the largest local craft beer offerings in Portland, and we’re about to be launching a new menu with a new chef, Cole Ford, who’s returning from a James Beard residency,” he says. The new menu will feature locally grown and sourced ingredients, including smokehouse options and pierogi.
“It’s always worth coming out to Free Street. We got live music four days a week, welcoming staff, and amazing atmosphere, food and drinks.”
O’Keefe at Eighty 8 Donuts is excited to share, “We are once again looking like a donut shop,” now that the scaffolding has come down from the construction project that overtook their building (this was a separate, unforeseen ceiling replacement in the Temple Street Parking Garage).
The owners of Eighty 8 Donuts are making the best of their situation. Photo by Emma Joyce.
Outdoor patio seating is returning, which will include heaters as the temperatures drop. Their beloved food truck “Rosie” continues to travel throughout the region – visiting colleges, weddings, staff appreciation days and various neighborhoods in Portland through pop-up events. They also operate a cafe at Sugarloaf in Carrabassett Valley.
Rest assured, “We’re cranking out the donuts,” O’Keefe says.
Would you like to support businesses affected by construction? Stop on by! If unable to dine in, you can also purchase gift cards and merchandise.
