Iconic Ted’s Fried Clams Restaurant in Maine Set to Reopen

There are restaurants scattered throughout Maine that can claim to be iconic.

Restaurants can earn that status based on their longevity, their fame or just delivering a signature dish that becomes timeless.

For many in southern Maine, one of those iconic restaurants has been Ted's Fried Clams.

Ted's Fried Clams first opened around 1950 and it didn't take long before their fried seafood was the talk of the town. Actually, many towns.

For 72 years, Ted's Fried Clams remained a family-run operation. But a series of unfortunate events led to the closure of Ted's Fried Clams in Shapleigh, Maine in 2023.

Now, it looks like it's prepared for a comeback.

Ted's Fried Clams Restaurant Property in Shapleigh, Maine, Has Officially Been Sold

A post in the News and History of Sanford Springvale Facebook group broke the news, the property at 222 Emery Mills Road in Shapleigh, Maine, had officially been sold.

According to the initial property listing, the name of the iconic restaurant is included with the sale.

Several commenters on the Facebook post already reported seeing work being done to the exterior of the restaurant.

It's unknown when the restaurant will be cleared to open. Ted's Fried Clams operated as a seasonal restaurant for most of its existence.

A Fire and a Move to Sanford, Maine, Crushed Ted's Fried Clams in the Past

A 2023 fire at Ted's Fried Clams in Shapleigh, Maine, was the start of a series of unfortunate events for the restraurant.

Following the fire, Ted's Fried Clams moved to a mini mall in Sanford, Maine, while repair work was done on their original location.

The Sanford restaurant didn't last and eventually closed over 'safety concerns'.