Bean's new outlet store is now open for business in Biddeford
The 14,500 square foot outlet store is at Biddeford Crossing
There was a ribbon cutting ceremony at 8:45 a.m
drinks and an opportunity to take photos with the L.L
Details: cache-fra-eddf8230093-FRA 1746497387 2991564048
The definitive guide to Portland's food scene
Apéro (website, instagram) opened for business on Friday night. The Biddeford cocktail bar has been launched by sisters Sophia Normantas and Marie Grasser. Grasser is also the owner of Charcutemarie (instagram)
The ~30-seat establishment serves a menu (see below) of cocktails
Shown above is the For Figs Sake (lemon infused Bimini gin
regatta ginger beer) and the La Petit charcuterie board
Apero is located at 20 Alfred Street and is open Wednesday/Thursday 4 – 9:30 pm
Do you have some details you’d like to pass on about an upcoming business or development in the Portland food scene? Then please fill out our Contact Form
Maine (WGME) -- This week marked 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War
A presentation of colors took place in Biddeford Friday to honor Vietnam veterans
The event also featured military music by Biddeford High School's band
Organizers say the presentation is a way to say "welcome home" to those who have perhaps waited too long to hear it
in Biddeford spoke about his service and the lessons he wished this country would've learned from the conflict
"Misinformation as well as outright lies and exaggerations of battlefield successes led to a long
but certainly we didn't learn from Vietnam," Chretien said
The Biddeford native served in the war as a Marine
He was a helicopter pilot and flew 560 combat missions
Maine (WGME) -- Three people were arrested in Biddeford Saturday in the search for a fugitive
Marshal's task force received a tip from police that 20-year-old Tyler Langille was living in Biddeford
Agents went to a home where they found Langille
who was wanted for possession of a stolen gun
They also found 30-year-old Taylor Simoneau who was wanted for drug trafficking
All three were arrested without incident and are in jail until they can go before a judge
Maine (WGME) -- The Biddeford Fire Department says they received a "flurry' of calls Saturday morning
with authorities responding to three alarms in 22 minutes
authorities say they arrived to an alarm sounding on Eddy Ave
which turned out to be accidentally triggered by construction work
they were reportedly called to help cover the Kennebunk Fire Rescue's station while they were out fighting a building fire
The Biddeford Fire Department says during that time
another of their fire engines was called to the Maine Turnpike for a car crash
where two people fortunately did not need hospitalization
The fire department says their entire force was needed during this short time period
the Biddeford Fire Department reminded the public: "Stay safe!"
by Allyson LaPierre
BIDDEFORD (WGME) – There are financial concerns in Biddeford
The city manager laid it all out during a recent council meeting
painting a challenging picture when it comes to money owed to the federal government
but the mayor says he’s optimistic the issues can be solved
“The city of Biddeford is in a very good financial standing
and we’re executing on all our initiatives with confidence,” Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman said
Grohman responded to last week’s city council meeting
where acting City Manager Brian Phinney reported the city could face multiple penalties from federal agencies
including the IRS and Federal Housing and Urban Development
Those two programs are widely used in Biddeford
Phinney said the city is also two years behind on its regular audits
“It's unfortunate it’s taken as long as it has
but you're all aware about the conditions of what the books look like,” Phinney said
Grohman says most of the issues stem from missing or lost reports
“Either we didn’t send it in the middle of Covid or the IRS didn’t receive it,” Grohman said
“We don’t know why things didn’t match up on the IRS side
so they came back with a formal letter saying
The penalty notice from the IRS was originally $790,000
but Phinney says the number has been reduced to $233,000
Grohman says the city is working with accounting agencies to correct and eliminate these mistakes before they fall back onto taxpayers
“I’m not really looking at that scenario,” Grohman said
“I’m very dedicated at getting this thing eliminated
That’s what we deserve in the city Biddeford.”
leaders say the city’s 2023 audit should be complete this month
so we need to basically do two years of work in about eight weeks,” Grohman said
Grohman says he is confident a penalty from Housing and Urban Development will also be cleared up
“I’m very optimistic on this one that we will get that sorted out,” Grohman said
City officials say they are waiting to hear back from federal agencies
Details: cache-fra-eddf8230093-FRA 1746497420 2991725633
by Ariana St Pierre
Maine (WGME) -- Officials say a 71-year-old man died following a fire in Biddeford on Monday
near the corner of Alfred and Lambert streets
Firefighters say there were flames showing from the second-floor apartment which was over a two-car garage
Officials say they found an unconscious 71-year-old man during a search of the building
The name of the victim has not yet been released
Officials say the building sustained extensive fire and smoke damage
The cause of the fire is under investigation
Maine (WGME) -- The city of Biddeford wants to bring new life to an old sign
They're looking for an artist to create a design for the historic Citgo sign
It’s located at Five Points Corner where Routes 111 and 1 meet
The city hopes the design will promote the area's rich industrial and cultural heritage
Officials say the final design should foster a sense of place
and celebrate the evolving identity of Biddeford as a hub for creativity and cultural exchange
The chosen artist will work closely with city officials
Maine (WGME) -- A new indoor pickleball facility is coming to Biddeford this spring
Bounce Pickle + Play will be located at 420 Alfred Road in the Five Points Shopping Center
Officials say the 140,000-square-foot space will include six pickleball courts
Bounce will offer a space for pickleballers to gather and play in round-robin tournaments
Bounce will feature a full swing golf and sports simulator with various course and game options
The facility will also be home to Bounce Sports Bar
Details on Bounce’s opening date will be announced in the coming months
This website uses cookies to understand how you use the website and to improve your experience. By continuing to use the website, you accept the University of New England’s use of cookies and similar technologies. To learn more about our use of cookies and how to manage your browser cookie settings, please review our Privacy Notice
The University of New England Art Gallery in Biddeford will exhibit “As Above, So Below,” a two-person show featuring works by Liz Awalt and the late C
This collection offers a study of contrasting perspectives on the planet
starting from a point of opticality and encompassing both the scientific and the sublime
The exhibit allows viewers to imagine alternate sensory environments
opening up a range of emotional and intellectual responses to inhabiting our world
Awalt’s practice is based on her observations of the ocean
Awalt dives with waterproof paper to create observational drawings from her experience with the underwater world
reflects a keen understanding of environmental changes and the challenges faced by marine ecosystems
Lewis’ “Earthscapes” paintings meticulously depict the Earth as seen from above
through the all-seeing eye of Google Earth
the built environment becomes its own organism
mimicking both the analytical drive of mathematics and the entropic decay of an organic system.
Lewis, a Portland-based artist, passed away in November of last year
“‘As Above, So Below’ offers unique viewpoints on Earth, from the aerial perspective of Lewis to the underwater observations of Awalt,” remarked Hilary Irons, director of galleries and exhibitions at UNE, adding that this exhibit offers students and visitors an artistic perspective on marine and environmental studies fields
“This exhibition invites viewers to consider our planet from these contrasting vantage points
encouraging reflection on our relationship with the environment.”
This exhibit is presented in collaboration with the UNE School of Marine and Environmental Programs, with guidance from Charles Tilburg, Ph.D.
the director of the school and a professor of marine sciences.
Ketchum Library on UNE’s oceanfront campus
Ketchum Library is located at 11 Hills Beach Road
The 14,500 square foot outlet store will be at Biddeford Crossing
It is expected to open in late April or early May
Bean outlet store will employ about 30 people
Positions have been posted on llbeancareers.com
Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More
BIDDEFORD -- The University of New England has been recognized for its student earning potentials by the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education
The Carnegie Foundation and American Council on Education recently published its 2025 Student Access and Earnings Classification
The classification found the University of New England to be well-equipped in preparing graduates for well-paying careers
with its graduates earning $20,000 more in the last eight years after starting their degrees than their peers who didn’t attend college
It also showed how the university is expanding access to undeserved student populations
with 30% of its incoming undergraduate class being the first in their families to attend college
The Carnegie Foundation recently established the university as one of 139 high research activity institutions across the United States
by Stephanie Grindley
Maine (WGME) -- Temporary riprap currently holds up a portion of the Saco Riverwalk in Biddeford and the fear is a future storm could further erode the wall and bring the smokestack down
The wall was damaged in a November 2021 storm
In 2023, the CBS13 I-Team covered this story extensively
We met with Biddeford EMA Director Roby Fecteau
who believed the repair work qualified for federal aid
The project secured FEMA approval that fall
An access road was then put in the winter of 2024
some people in Biddeford are wondering about the work delay
FEMA approved roughly $4.5 million in federal funds for the repair project
The remaining amount would come from Biddeford taxpayers
that bid came in at $10.3 million,” said Roby Fecteau
"We've got to make this repair and it's a question of how we fund it,” Biddeford Mayor Martin Grohman said
the city was able to shave approximately $3 million with the new proposal of $7.5 million
which $2.8 million will to be covered by Biddeford
it carves even more and the tower comes down
Wipes out fifty cars," said one Biddeford councilor before the vote
what's the liability to the city on that?"
the city voted unanimously to move forward with the proposal
they hope to meet with contractors one more time this week
and Fecteau tells the I-Team work will start within the next 30 days
Details: cache-fra-eddf8230093-FRA 1746497468 2991956304
by Dave Eid
Maine — Former Northeastern University star and Biddeford native Jack Williams has signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets
scored 39 goals and provided 55 assists over three seasons with the Huskies
He played a pivotal role in leading the team to the Hockey East semifinals
where they were narrowly defeated by the University of Maine in double overtime last Friday night
Columbus General Manager Don Waddell praised Williams
hard-working player with a passion for the game who was a very productive player and leader during his time at Northeastern."
Sisters Sophia Normantas and Marie Grasser have leased space at 20 Alfred Street in Biddeford where they plan to open a new bar called Apéro (instagram)
The 40-seat establishment will serve light bites
The cocktail list is still under development but is expected to offer a diverse seasonal selection of with all their drinks to be topped off “with a dazzling garnish.”
Renovations are underway with the hope to open Apéro in October. As they shared in an online video they “want it to be moody
fun” and create a place where customers can “sit with a beautiful cocktail in a gorgeous environment” and enjoy time with friends
Normantas and Marie Grasser shared that they have always wanted to create a business together. Grasser is also the owner of Charcutemarie (instagram) a business that prepares charcuterie and cheese boards for weddings and events
and up-again life of a Maine textile center
nearly 10,000 millworkers were turning out $6.2 million worth of fabric yardage
But most of the plants were shuttered in the ’50s
when their various owners moved operations to the South
and eventually the entire 17-acre Pepperell Mill property
Irish immigrants dig a network of tunnels and lagoons that will conduct rushing water toward turbines in the basements of mill buildings
When migrating eels turn up in the lagoons
employees arm local boys with fishing poles and pay them a penny for every catch
introduces the stylized dragon logo that would be stamped on all company goods (and persists on campus signage today)
Pepperell’s strong cotton “drill” fabric was popular in China and India
and Skinner sought a trademark that would transcend language barriers
Pepperell acquires the struggling Laconia Mills
which had closed during what its owners believed would be a short Civil War and never fully recovered
purchased extra cotton before the war broke out and negotiated contracts with the Union Army to provide material for uniforms and tents
Pepperell launches The Pepperell Sheet newspaper
filled with reports of company achievements
patronizing advice (“Check up on yourself: Am I a person who gets to work on time in the morning and does not imperil the lives of others in an attempt to be the first out at bell time?”)
like the formation of a club called “More Tired Than You” by female employees who gathered in the evenings to sew
After toiling for nine years in secret on a product designed to save Pepperell from closure
Francis Spencer unveils the Vellux blanket
Made of layers of foam melted onto a net and covered with nylon flock
ultra-light bedding becomes the bestselling blanket in America and keeps the mill afloat for another 43 years
having already reimagined Pepperell’s North Dam Mill as a mixed-use development
buys the rest of the 16-building complex in 2010
with plans to recruit more businesses and build additional apartments
Texas-based real-estate firm Presidium purchases the Pepperell Mill campus from Sanford
and begins spending $5 million on interior and exterior upgrades
the group sold an unused mill building to New Hampshire–based Chinburg Properties
which is in the process of converting it into 76 high-end apartments
Maine (WGME) -- School officials are alerting parents after a bed bug was recently discovered in a Biddeford Middle School classroom
their bites may cause discomfort like the itch from a mosquito bite
Biddeford Middle School Principal Scott Descoteaux says the facilities department is conducting a thorough inspection of the affected area and will implement a pest management plan if necessary
Biddeford Superintendent Jeremy Ray says schools are generally not an environment conducive to bed bug infestations
and bed bugs tend to “hitchhike” from home to school on the likes of jackets and backpacks
If you have concerns about bed bugs in your home, your local health officer is available to help, and additional information can be found on the Maine Public Health website.