A Bowl of Fantastic, Hot Fish Chowder (Pacled Full of  Salmon, Shrimp and Cod) for ONLY $9.00 at Bake Maine,  122 Washington Avenue, Located in the Former Pottery Cafe.

“Our business is down significantly from last year,” said Doug Perry, Co-owner and Chef at Bake Maine at 122 Washington Avenue on the east end of Portand.  Perry, who has just reopened a similar business on the Post Road, in Wells, attributes some of the business downturn to politics.

Perry said business is always slower during a presidential election year because people don’t know who will win and what to do with their cash.  “Should I invest it or spend it?,” Perry said.  That is the quandry for some despite the news yesterday that more than 254,000 new jobs were created nationally during the month of September – exceeding expectations. The other milestone was that the New York Stock Market once again hit record levels – ending the week at over 42,352.  The economy is good and inflation is getting under control.  Gas prices are down at the pump in Portland.

Another popular restaurant on Washington Avenue is rumored to be experiencing a financial downtown; it is Terlinqua.   However, despite numerous phone calls to the restaaurant recently, no one responded to a request from this blogger for clarification on this information.

In some ways, its like a tale of two Portlands; On the waterfront side of Portland the story is quite different – at least during the cruise ship month of October.  This blogger learned late last month not to patronize several restaurants in the Commercial Street area – until the cruise ship season is over – sometime in November 2024  – and perhaps after the presidential election.

Formerly a frequent lunch customer at Navis Cafe, this blogger was repeatedly dissatisfied with the poor service there.  “We are understaffed and overwhelmed with business from the cruise ships here,” said one owner. “We are doing the best we can,” She said. “Come back when the cruise ship season is over,” the other owner told this blogger.  “Then business will be normal.”  Then He generously offered to reimburse this blogger in recognition of the poor service rendered bringing the matter to an amicable conclusion..

For more background information on Bake Maine, please visit posts herein dated January 19, 2023 and March 24, 2024.  For more background information on Navis Cafe, please visit post herein dated December 20, 2020.