Gritty’s in Freeport, Maine, to Close Permanently

Whenever a restaurant closes, people are generally curious as to the reasons why. Was it a lack of interest, poor management, bad ownership or a combination of factors. But in some cases, the answer to why a restaurant is closing is far more complicated.

Following a flurry of restaurant closures in Portland, Maine, a staple of a different southern Maine town has announced its permanent closure. That would be Gritty McDuff's, a brewpub that has been operating in Freeport for more than 30 years.

The reasoning behind the closure is as complicated as you'll find. Gritty's isn't closing because the restaurant is failing. It's not closing because a lack of staff or because of the owners have grown tired of the business.

Instead, Gritty's land lease deal with its landlord is up. According to the Portland Press Herald, the owners behind Gritty's, Ed Stebbins and Richard Pfeffer, attempted to purchase the property its called home in Freeport for 30 years but were rebuffed by the current owners.

A shorter term lease that made sense for both parties wasn't possible. Instead, Gritty's made the difficult decision to close their Freeport location and focus their attention and resources into their two remaining brewpubs in Auburn and Portland's Old Port.

What will replace Gritty's in Freeport is anyone's guess. The property is sprawling and could be attractive for a variety of different uses but it won't come cheap.

Gritty's in Freeport will remain open for the remainder of November with their final operational day scheduled for Saturday, November 30.