Local 188 Celebrates 25 Years in Portland Maine
Before concepts such as “small plates” or “farm to table cuisine” were a thing, Local 188 Restaurant and Lounge was laying the foundation for Portland’s acclaimed restaurant scene, offering tapas and other Spanish and Portuguese-inspired fare from its original location at 188 State Street back in 1999. This summer, Local 188 (now located across the street at 685 Congress Street) is celebrating 25 years in business, marking the achievement by featuring food and drinks from their original 1999 menu, and donating 25% of profits during the month of June to support Wayside Food Programs in their efforts to eliminate food insecurity.
From the start, Local 188 was a grassroots family and community affair. The restaurant actually began as a hybrid restaurant / art gallery and continues to showcase work by local Maine artists. Chef and co-owner Jay Villani reflects on the restaurant’s relationship with the Portland scene: "The name ‘Local 188’ and the brand imagery (created by local artist and muralist Pat Corrigan) not only references the original street address of the restaurant and gallery and our community focus but was also meant to evoke labor unions and their tradition of celebrating dignity, hard work, and comradery among their members, characteristics shared by the local artist community, then and now.” He continues, “we wanted to create a venue for art that was less “precious” and would help put the works in a different context and make it more a part of everyday life.” Both of Jay Villani’s children worked at the restaurant (son Sonny is currently sous chef) and partner Matt Purington’s two kids washed dishes and waited tables as well. Long tenured employees and good friends including VP of Operations (and now business partner) Garry Bowcott, talented and creative chef Trent Harris, and General Manager Jenny Gardiner have contributed immeasurably to the style, character, and quality of the restaurant. Villani is proud that many of Local 188’s former employees have gone on to open their own businesses, contributing their talent to Portland’s art, music, and food scene. Close and long-standing relationships with local farmers, foragers, and fishmongers have also been a core part of Local’s success.
The name “Local 188” and concept have also been a source of a few amusing misunderstandings over the years, including a pipefitter who showed up looking for plumbing work (confusing the business with Local Union 716), and an exotic dancer who applied for a job after mishearing a reference to the “Tapas” bar as a “Topless” bar.
Over the years, Local 188 has been an important part of its West End neighborhood and the greater Portland community. The restaurant has held fundraisers for local schools and non-profits, sponsored sports teams, collaborated with local artists, and provided a venue for a range of special occasions including weddings, live music performances, film screenings, political events (Chelsea Clinton stopped by after a campaign event) and impromptu visits by various touring bands in town, including The Strokes. Traditions have come and gone: for many years prior to COVID, Villani hosted an annual Feast of the Seven Fishes at the restaurant on Christmas Eve. “The doors were open, random strangers would show up and be welcomed in. One elderly neighbor came every year and put whole lobsters in her purse at the end of the night. And our kids grew up thinking everybody’s Christmas Eve ended in a dance party.”
In its 25 years of operation, Local 188 has seen significant changes in Portland. Says Villani, “We opened with a lot of sweat equity and very limited funds. Cheap space was pretty easy to come by, and the neighborhood really welcomed us with open arms. I think it is tougher these days to get established. We are grateful to our customers, friends, and neighbors and consider ourselves very fortunate.”
Local 188 is open Wednesday through Sunday for dinner and weekends for brunch and invites the greater Portland community (and its visitors) to join us at the restaurant to celebrate this significant milestone; reservations are available for dinner at Local188.com.