After Nearly Fifty Years In Business, The Griffin Club In South Portland Closes For Good Tomorrow

When it announced a few months back that South Portland's longtime and well-known bar called The Griffin Club was in danger of closing down, it stunned a lot of people. The neighborhood spot, that has hosted many New England sports legends, was hoping to buy the building it has called home for nearly a half-century. But according to The Forecaster, those dreams have been shattered.

The Griffin Club will close officially on May 31st, and the building it's housed in, with so many rich memories of good times passed will be razed for new development in one of South Portland's hottest neighborhoods, Knightville. The history of The Griffin Club is rich. It got its name from its original owner, Eddie Griffin who was a sports promoter. The bar welcomed some of New England's most storied sports legends in for a drink, including Ted Williams. But for those who frequent The Griffin Club or just pop in every now and then, all hope is not lost.

Scott Parker, who owns the Griffin Club, has plans to move down the street and open a new bar called The Griffin Dugout. He plans to bring his jukebox, pool tables and timeless memorabilia from The Griffin Club and put it on display. He's currently selling several other items from the bar that he won't have space for. The new bar will open on the corner of E and Q streets in South Portland. There is no timetable for The Griffin Dugout to open.