Here’s What Will Replace Starbucks on Middle Street in Portland, Maine

At the end of 2022, one of the busiest coffee shops in all of Portland, Maine, closed its doors. It was the Starbucks location at 176 Middle Street, The closure was met with unease, as a month prior, employees had voted to unionize. Starbucks claimed the store closure was a landlord mandate.

In the end, it didn't matter which story caused the closure, because it was permanent. Starbucks moved out, leaving behind a prime piece of very visible real estate in Portland's Old Port. There was months of speculation on what would replace Starbucks, and now we have an answer.

According to MaineBiz, it won't be a chain or a coffee shop, it'll be a handbag maker. Brunswick-based Rough & Tumble is set to open their flagship store at 176 Middle Street, adding to an array of premiere retail stores in the Old Port. It's a solid fit for Rough & Tumble, with several other retail and boutique shops along Middle and Exchange streets.

Rough & Tumble has made a name for themselves over the last decade plus thanks to their custom leather and waxed handbags. What started as a home business in 2009 has seen a boom in business, followed by multiple expansions over the course of the last 14 years.

Rough & Tumble plan to use their new Old Port location a little differently. Since the store will feature plenty of foot traffic, Rough & Tumble will test new product designs and collaborations at their Middle St location. Not only that, they plan to feature one-of-a-kind designs that will likely make the store a destination for frequent visitors to Portland.

Rough & Tumble expects to open their flagship Old Port location this fall.