Processing Your Payment

Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.

Updated: March 27, 2025

Friday Food Insider: Donut shop closing, burger spot opening in Portland's shifting restaurant scene

HiFi Donuts in Portland Photo / Renee Cordes Portland's HiFi Donuts will close on April 17 after the owners were unable to renegotiate the lease for 30 City Center.
By Alexis Wells

Portland's restaurant scene remains a revolving door of business openings and closings.

After nearly eight years at 30 City Center near Monument Square, HiFi Donuts said it will close April 17 as owners Melissa and Ari Modugno map out the next chapter for the business. 

In a social media post, they said they were unable to renegotiate their lease.

"This is not our choice, because of that we will be looking for the right space for us to move to," they said in their post. "We hope that this is not the end of HiFi Donuts but the beginning of something new and exciting."

The business is a purveyor of unusual donuts including hibiscus salted chocolate, lemon poppy and bacon and cheddar on the current menu, along with breakfast and lunch sandwiches. 

HiFi’s donuts received top marks in a September 2023 Friday Food Insider blind taste test in the Mainebiz test kitchen, outperforming the Cookie Jar, Eighty 8 Donuts, Holy Donut and Tony's Donut Shop.

If and when HiFi finds another location, the Mainebiz team will be more than happy to stage a showdown sequel. 

Burgers & beer 

Hank & Artie's, a smashburger pop-up business that's been popping up around Portland since last summer, will roll out its first trailer in May. 

The burger joint on wheels will be anchored at Argenta Brewing Co.'s Lager Saloon, located at 82 Hanover St in Portland’s West Bayside neighborhood.

Hank & Artie's was created by chef Sean Telo, who worked in several kitchens before starting his business, including Miller Union in Georgia and 21 Greenpoint and Extra Fancy in New York. 

"At Hank & Artie's, we're all about classic smash burgers done right — simple, nostalgic, and made with the best local ingredients," Telo said in a news release.

"Partnering with Argenta Brewery just makes sense because great beer and great burgers belong together," he added. "With our commitment to hyper-local Maine sourcing and their dedication to craft brewing, we're creating an experience that's as fresh, local and authentic as it gets. We can't wait to bring this partnership to life and serve up something truly special." 

The food truck will feature many locally sourced ingredients, including pasture-raised beef from Cold Spring Ranch in New Portland and milk buns from Little Spruce Baking Co. in Biddeford.

Hank & Artie’s burgers and fries "are some of the best around, and having them here full-time means great food to go with our beer every time you visit," said Ryan Dunlap, Argenta's owner and operator. "It's a perfect match. I can't wait for everyone to come by and enjoy it."

Your feedback 

The Friday Food Insider is working on some fun stories for the coming months. What changes in Maine's restaurant scene would you like to see us write about? The Mainebiz Food Insider wants to hear from you! Contact Alexis Wells at awells@mainebiz.biz.

Sign up for Enews

Mainebiz web partners

Most Recent

Most Recent

0 Comments

Order a PDF