WJBQ

Portland's most elite dive-bar just claimed Monday, St. Patrick's Day 2025 as their last operating day in business. I think I speak for many when I say that Forest Ave won't ever be the same again with Samuel's absence. Here's 3 memories I bet we'll all miss the most.

What about the restaurants or shops that aren't exactly local, but would fit in Portland perfectly if only the city would bring them here? As a well traveled girl, let me give you some examples.

I could come up with 100 reasons why I love to live in Maine "Vacation Land", but I'll give you the top 3 that, in my opinion, that have most likely contributed to us being voted into the top 10 least hated category.

There's tons of hotels that may surprise you in the Portland, Maine, area, as they allow your furry friends to stay overnight with you. Check these out.

I can't think of a better state to back electric car usage than Portland, Maine. Here's 9 locations in the area you can charge your car for free.

These 3 local, adorable Portland shops are just a few that I'm still disappointed in for closing. Here's a hint; Portland's Bull Moose location.

One of the best parts about Maine is going on roadtrips and stopping at little convenient stores you've never been to along the way. If you're lucky, you'll land on one with a surprisingly decent pizza slice like the one at J Brothers Variety in Cumberland.

Here's 4 iconic foods Maine is known for that I wouldn't be happy to live without. Yes, fiddleheads are on the list.

When I asked myself what the top 3 restaurants were that I've tried this year, it was almost too easy of an answer for me. Here are some of my top choices that serve as both new and old staples of their towns that are must-visit's.

Ever since the pandemic, closures have branched out into Freeport and surrounding towns as well. There's a few heavy hitters that humbled us real well when they permanently closed though. Here they are:

Point of view, you just moved to Westbrook, Maine and you were excited about these 3 highly recommended restaurants but they close their doors before you can try them. Here's the top 3 closures that hurt locals the most.

I've been able to accept some of the local restaurants that left us that I admittedly never thought would. But these 3 places in Scarborough I just can't accept their loss yet.

Replacing Sticky Sweet in Portland comes a new candy shop named Sod. There has never been such a unique way to sell candy in the old port that takes after Danish roots. This one will do well.

Once summertime hits here, Maine beats out any state in the summer, but that's the exact reason our 'Vacationland' slogan isn't 1000 percent accurate in my opinion. Here's some more accurate ones that are brutal but honest.

These ones felt like staples in the community that would never really go away.. until they did.

I get a kick out of the times I learn about a new dive bar in my area that I had no idea existed. Here's a few of the most elite dive bars around the Portland area that are staples to the people that know about them.