After 27 Years, Joker’s is Closing for Good

The owner blames the shutdown on the closing.

According to WGME 13, Joker's owner Jim Gratello blamed Governor Janet Mills' shutdown for the closing. It read in part:

Joker's has become the latest business casualty of the COVID virus lockdown by Governor Mills.

 

If you grew up in the greater Portland area, you've been to Westbrook's Joker's. If you have kids yourself, you DEFINITELY have been. According to Jim Grattelo, he says that Joker’s has provided family fun to over 1.5 million children in Maine and New Hampshire and has had over a quarter of a million birthday parties!

So, why close for good?

It wasn't an easy decision at all. But they have spent a lot of time working out different layouts to Joker's to honor new restrictions. The play gym would have to be closed, and 50% of the games and food tables would need to be removed. Add the impossibility of cleaning and sanitizing after every kid used something - they just couldn't do it.

Owner Jim Grattelo is very proud of his 27 years as a Maine staple giving over 1,000 first jobs to Maine teens.

He thanks all the loyal families who supported Joker's for the past 27 years.