Frog and Turtle Restaurant in Westbrook, Maine, Permanently Closing

While many of the restaurant closures in Portland, Maine, have gotten the headlines, there has been loss felt by many other communities in the state over beloved restaurants in the last year.

From the Muddy Rudder in Yarmouth to the Jameson Tavern in Freeport and beyond, there have been some longtime staples and signature restaurants that have departed their communities over the last 12 months.

And now, Westbrook, Maine, is about to feel the pinch.

Frog and Turtle Gastropub in Westbrook, Maine, Announces Permanent Closure

In a social media post, the Frog and Turtle Gastropub announced the difficult decision to close their doors permanently. Unlike other restaurant closures recently where the reasoning was left to interpretation, the Frog and Turtle laid out an honest explanation of their challenges.

In order to continue operating their rental space next door, the City of Westbrook would require them in install a sprinkler system in the building. Sprinkler installation typically runs in the tens of thousands of dollars and if there's additional obstacles, the price can skyrocket quickly.

Without additional income from the rental space, the Frog and Turtle simply would not be sustainable on the razor thin margins many restaurants exist with in today's marketplace.

Westbrook, Maine, Loses One of Their Signature Restaurants

Just a few years ago, the Frog and Turtle took itself to another level, literally. The restaurant expanded upward, adding a second level with a rooftop deck.

The gastropub has long been a destination for some of the best brunch options found anywhere in the area. From homemade doughnuts to a selection of scrumptious benedicts.

But it's also been the events that have elevated the Frog and Turtle. It has been one of the only places in Westbrook where you can consistently see live music and performances over the course of its 17 years in business.

The Frog and Turtle plans to close on Sunday, March 2.