The list is growing of Maine businesses that plan to participate in Friday’s nationwide shutdown in protest of Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity.
The strike, organized at NationalShutdown.us, is billed as “ICE OUT! Nationwide Shutdown! No work. No school. No shopping.” It aims to get the attention of political leaders by disrupting the economy and show support for the immigrant community, much of which in Portland has stayed home from work in the past week out of fear of being detained.
As part of the shutdown, social media posts show that a protest event is being planned for 3 p.m. Friday at Monument Square in Portland.
But while many local businesses plan to close on Friday, some will remain open because closing isn’t feasible for a variety of reasons, said Amy Landry, board president of Portland Buy Local. Many are reaching out in other ways.
“Whether open or closed, businesses are donating profits, gathering supplies, and volunteering with local nonprofits,” Landry said. “What we’re seeing is that local businesses are supporting our community in ways that feel right to them.”
Friends & Family on Congress Street is one of many restaurants planning to close on Friday. In a social media post announcing the decision, co-owner Cecily Upton explained their sacrifice in making this move, which has her staff’s full support.
“This was a tough one,” the post reads. “Friday is the busiest night of the week, during the slowest season of the year. This will impact all of our staff greatly as we share tips across all staff and all days of the week. Our staff have unanimously supported the decision for us to close our doors.”
Sonja Swanberg, co-owner of Scratch Bakery in South Portland, said her business will stay open on Friday, but it’s donating 100% of profits that day to three local groups: the Maine Solidarity Fund, Maine Needs and Project Relief Maine.
“I felt for us, it would be more impactful (than closing) and really make a difference to some of the organizations on the ground that are helping the immigrants in Maine,” Swanberg said, noting that she respects every business owner’s decision to close or stay open. “We feed people, that is our mission. It just felt right for us to be able to do this.
Birch Shambaugh, co-owner of Woodford Food & Beverage on Forest Avenue, is also staying open, donating 10% of sales Friday to the Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition. “We feel like we can do more good for our community by being open than we can by being closed,” Shambaugh said.
But Woodford’s decision has already generated blowback from some social media commenters.
“We’re being called scabs and all these unpleasant things that go down particularly hard for a group of people here who are caring and spent years trying to move the needle in a positive fashion in our community,” Shambaugh said.
Here’s how other businesses are participating in the strike (in Portland, unless otherwise noted):
Anoche, closed Friday
Another Round, open from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Friday for hot chocolate and warmth place before, during and after protest
Aracana Maine, closed Friday
Bayside Bowl, open Friday and donating 10% of sales to Maine Immigrant and Refugee Services
Benny’s, closed Friday and serving free soup to protestors and others in need starting at 2:30 p.m.
Botanically Curious, closed Friday and donating 100% of proceeds from online herbal consultations this week to Project Relief
Bunker Brewing, closed Friday
Central Provisions, closed Friday
Cong Tu Bot, closed Friday
Crooked Spoon, Thomaston, closed Friday
Cuties, closed Friday and donating 50% of profits from bubbly drinks to Maine Solidarity Fund through Feb. 6
Dot’s Market, Lincolnville, closed Friday
Downtown Lounge, closed Friday
First Fig, Camden, closed Friday
Flatiron Coffee Bar, closed Friday
Flea-for-All, closed Friday
Friends & Family, closed Friday
Geno’s Rock Club, open for show Friday and donating profits from food, drink and merch to Presente Maine and tips to Maine Needs
Henny’s, closed Friday
Highroller Lobster, closed Friday and donating weekend profits to businesses that closed their doors during the ICE enforcement surge out of fear
Izakaya Minato, closed Friday
LB. Kitchen, closed Friday
Lemon Bar, Rockland, closed Friday and donating $1 from every drink sold this week to Project Relief
Lil Chippy, open Friday and donating 25% of sales to Maine Solidarity Fund
Luce Spirits, Rockland, closed Friday
Magissa, closed Friday
Maine and Loire, closed Friday and holding fundraiser through Feb. 2 for Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project and MaineHealth Food Pantry
Maine Beer Co., open Friday and directing monetary donations to Maine Solidarity Fund and Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project
Mayhem Portland, closed Friday and donating 30% of gift card proceeds to Project Relief
Moonday Coffee, closed Friday
Mr. Tuna, closed Friday
Night Moves, South Portland, open until 2 p.m. Friday and donating 5% of proceeds to Maine Solidarity Fund
Nina June, Rockport, closed Friday
Novare Res, closed Friday
Olde School Fiber & Craft, Gorham, open Friday and donating 100% of profits to Maine Needs
Onggi, closed Friday
Oun Lido’s, closed Friday
Owlbear’s Rest, Westbrook, closed Friday
Portland Yoga Project, open Friday and offering all classes for free
Prairie Baking Co., closed Friday and donating 100% of pottery sale Saturday to support immigrant neighbors
Print: A Bookstore, closed Friday and donating 20% of proceeds Saturday and Sunday to Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project
Ramona’s, open Friday and donating 20% of sales from Thursday through Saturday to Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project and MaineHealth Food Pantry
Riverside Butcher Co., Damariscotta, closed Friday
Room for Improvement, closed Friday and fundraising all week for MaineHealth Food Pantry
Rose Foods, open Friday and donating all profits to Food For All Services
Sandwiches, food truck, closed Friday
Sammy’s Deluxe, Rockland, closed Friday
Second Rodeo Coffee, South Portland, closed Friday
Scratch Baking Co., South Portland, open Friday and donating 100% of sales to Maine Solidarity Fund, Maine Needs and Project Relief
Shay’s, closed Friday
Sissle & Daughters, closed Friday
Speckled Ax, closed Friday
Smalls, closed Friday
Strata, closed Friday
Sun Oriental Market, closed Friday
Table Bar, Gardiner, closed Friday
Tandem Coffee & Bakery, closed Friday
The Alna Store, Alna, closed Friday and donating $1 from every beverage sold to mutual aid organizations “for the foreseeable future”
The End, closed Friday
The Proper Cup, closed Friday
The Send, South Portland, open Friday and donating 5% of sales to Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project
Tipo, closed Friday
Toody Pond Farm, Monroe, closed Friday
Twin Swirls, closed Friday
Verbena, South Portland, open Friday and donating 75% of net profits to Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition
Vessel and Vine, Brunswick, closed Friday
Woodford F&B, open Friday and donating 10% of sales to Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition
Staff Writer Leslie Bridgers contributed to this report.