Guitar Grave Leaving Portland; Will Reopen In South Portland In September

For nearly 15 years, Guitar Grave has been a staple along Congress Street in Portland. The consignment/pawn shop has been selling used musical equipment to underpaid musicians, and has been a way for cash-strapped residents to trade some valuables to get by.  The owner of Guitar Grave, Mike Fink, says business is still good but it's the location that's driving him out of Portland and into neighboring South Portland come September.

According to the Portland Press Herald, Fink will shut down the current iteration of Guitar Grave at 441 Congress Street due to a lack of parking and persistent protests at the Planned Parenthood location next door to his business. Doors will close in Portland on August 23rd and the expectation is that the new location of Guitar Grave in South Portland at 650 Main Street will be open sometime in September.

The new location has its own history of pawn shop success. It was the home of Jimi's Trading Center for years and that history of success played into Fink's choice to choose it as Guitar Grave's new location. Additionally, the South Portland location has parking, which Fink's employees and customers will appreciate.

Guitar Grave's exodus from Portland is yet another instance of the major shift happening in the city. Many of the businesses and restaurants that were a large part of the fabric of Portland as it began growing have either closed or moved from the city.