Mainebiz

V O L . X X I X N O. I X M AY 1 , 2 0 2 3 6 Home sales decline by 17% in March Interest rates and lower-than-nor- mal inventory led to a decline in single-family home sales of 16.78% in March. According to Maine Listings, 858 homes changed hands last month, compared to 1,031 homes in March 2022. e median sales price rose 3.85% to $337,500 when compared to March 2022. Home prices in the Northeast rose 1% to $395,400, while sales dipped 21.2% when comparing March 2023 to a year earlier. Good to go: State passes curbside liquor law Maine retailers and selected distill- eries that started selling alcoholic drinks-to-go during pandemic shutdowns can extend the curbside cocktail hour as long as they like under a new Maine law. Gov. Janet Mills signed L.D. 201, "An Act to Make Permanent the Ability of Certain Retailers and Distilleries to Sell Liquor for Off-premises Consumption and Cocktails for On-premises Consumption," on April 24, according to a spokes- man for the governor's office. State lawmakers in the House and Senate passed the law the prior week. e bill, introduced by state Sen. Brad Farrin, R-Somerset, makes permanent the ability of certain retailers and distilleries to sell alcohol, including wine by the glass and malt liquor (growlers) for off-premises consumption. e bill also allows the sale of cocktails for on-premises consumption at dis- tilleries and small distilleries. N O T E W O R T H Y S T A T E W I D E Gov. Janet Mills announced that the state of Maine received a $24 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families to be used to strengthen the state's early child- hood system for Maine children and families. B U S I N E S S M A I N E Business news from around the state S T A T E W I D E B R I E F As dining habits change, restaurants rush to adapt B y A l e x i s W e l l s P o r t l a n d — As Maine heads into its busy tourist sea- son, the state is still seeing staffing shortages affecting businesses, especially the restaurant industry. "Those who survived and are fortunate to see themselves very busy again had to be tenacious, creative, and hope- fully a little lucky … and had to take very good care of their employees, customers and each other," Chris Thompson, Thompson's Point Development Co. It's no secret that the pandemic resulted in a crisis for the restaurant industry in 2020. As things eased somewhat in 2021, restaurants began to see challenges surface, including workforce shortages and supply chain issues. Those issues resulted in longer wait lines, fewer restaurants open in busy tourist enclaves and shortages of ingredients. Many patrons still see longer wait times, fewer tables, or their favorite establishments have closed due to rising costs due to inflation and the need for more workers. According to a recent Mainebiz poll about dining habits, of 400 people polled, 55% said they now dine out less often. About a third, 35%, said the frequency has not changed. Another 6% said they patronize different establishments. Just 4% said they dine out more often. "My favorite restaurants in Portland are getting too pricey for the value of the meal," said one respondent. "Portland is now the home of the $20 cocktail and the $49 steak." Restaurants have adapted to labor shortages and supply chain issues by reducing hours and simplifying menus. And through it all, certain restaurants remain busy, often with long wait times to get a table. Luke Holden, the owner of Luke's Lobster in Portland, told Mainebiz that his business has seen fewer staffing issues than the last year and is busier sales-wise. That's also the observation of Krista Cole, owner of Sur Lie, a tapas restaurant on Free Street in Portland, and Gather in Yarmouth. "We've noticed it's been a bit busier this year," she said. "It seems like regardless of what's going on people like to get together and go out to eat. We are feeling very optimistic." Cole said although Sur Lie has struggled with labor short- ages, it has a talented group of people working for the Portland restaurant. "We have had more issues attracting talent to our res- taurant [Gather] in Yarmouth than in Portland," she added. In downtown Saco, Brian MacDonald of Rapid Ray's, a fast food takeout stand, said having a lean staff has helped it stay nimble. "We have been more busy," said MacDonald, adding: "We have trimmed back our margins to keep up with every- thing. Like every restaurant, we have seen an increase in our prices." Closings But while many have been able to work through these issues, some well-known restaurants have closed. The owners of Portland's TIQA Mediterranean restaurant at the Courtyard by Marriott told customers in a Facebook post they planned to close. Sea Dog Brewing Co. announced April 12 that it planned to close one of its two South Portland locations, at 725 Broadway. In February, Rivalries owners Amy and Lance Meader announced on the website that the Portland location has closed permanently. Like every restaurant, we have seen an increase in our prices. — Brian MacDonald Rapid Ray's P H O T O / A L E X I S W E L L S At Rapid Ray's in Saco, owner Brian MacDonald depends on a lean staff and leaner margins. F I L E P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY Deen Haleem inside TIQA Mediterranean restaurant, which he owns and operates with his wife, Carol.

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