180 Washington Avenue Owner, David Harmon,  Files to Convert Property to Five Condo Units.

Thomas Cooke and His Wife Elaine Alden Plan on Opening  a Japeanese Bar/Eatery by the End of This Year.

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 2,689)

Architect David Harmon has filed an application with the City’s planning office to convert an empty single-family home at 180 Washington Avenue into five (5) condominiums and parking for four (4) vehicles on the ground floor.

The same property was once owned by Liv Chase who sold it to Harmon.  Harmon who is an architect in Boston  has an address in Saco as his contact point.  Patrick Venne, Esq. attorney for the Midtown project of Federated Co.,  is Harmon’s attorney on the redevelopment.

It’s been rumored about for months now, but Thomas Cooke and his wife Elaine Alden confirmed this morning they plan to open a Japanese restaurant and bar by the end of this year at 6 Washington Avenue. “Izakakya” will be a place to eat and drink – or a minato said Cooke this morning.

The couple relocated recently from San Francisco where Thomas was the long-time chef at a restaurant and Elaine was the front of the house manager of “Tsunami.”  They expect to repeat those same roles on the East End of Portland. Formerly a flower shop, there has never been a kitchen there which needs to be built.

The restaurant will seat about 38 people with a bar bar and a chef’s bar. It will be open six days a week for dinner to start with and then gradually opening for lunch at a later date.