Andrew Zarro, in Front of His New Coffee Shop, 316A Congress Street Today, at the Corner of Franklin Street.

Andrew Zarro, 31,  co-owner of Little Woodfords, a coffee shop at 643 Forest Avenue, plans to relocate to the bottom of Munjoy HIll at the end of June, he said this afternoon.  Zarro is leaving his Forest Avenue location because the landlord increased his rent “too much – enough to make me move,” he said, preferring not to discuss the details.

“The cutest building in the whole city of Portland,” as Zarro calls 316A Congress Street at the corner of Franklin Street.  It has housed numerous other businesses in the past.  It has served as a doctor’s office, flower shop, art studio, fabric store, womens’ consignment shop and a very recent business that mhn.com never caught up to.

The building owner is a former resident of St. Lawrence Street who left that location because of a land dispute it lost with a neighbor.  The owner had planned to tear down the home and rebuild a  condominium on some land that encroached on the neighbor’s property, apparently.

Zarro, who calls Vermont home, has worked for non-profits most of his professional life.  Three years ago, he opened up Little Woodfords Coffee.  His education is business focused with some public policy mixed in for good measure – somewhere.  His father was a real estate attorney.

“We can do a lot with a small space because it has a big heart,”  Zarro said.  “One day when COVID-19 is over, we will return to Forest Avenue because that is our neighborhood.”   Does that mean this is a temporary business?

It remains to be seen – where is his heart – on Munjoy Hill or back in District 4?