Here’s Why Some Were Duped Into Believing a Spirit Halloween Store Was Opening in Portland, Maine

Despite all the modern technology we have at our fingertips on a daily basis, there's a few pieces of information that constantly fall through the cracks. That often includes openings and closings, whether they be restaurants, offices, or retail shops.

So, you can probably imagine how confusing it was for passersby in Portland, Maine, when they noticed that a longstanding restaurant and bar had closed, and it appeared, at least from the signage, that a Spirit Halloween store was opening in the Old Port.

First things first. The space that formerly housed Timber Steakhouse is currently undergoing some sort of renovation and change. Back in May of 2022, Timber had formally changed their concept from high-end steakhouse to plush bourbon bar in hopes of revitalizing the space.

A smaller menu with a wide array of beverage options didn't seem to go as planned. Without much notice, paper went over the windows, and the long run Timber had in Portland's Old Port was officially over.

But if you've walked by the former restaurant in the past few months, you could easily be confused. Every few weeks, there's been a new sign posted in the window promising a trendy new spot coming to Portland soon. Some of them have seemed like genuine ideas, while others have been patently ridiculous.

The latest sign has much of the same lettering and art as you'd find on a Spirit Halloween store. But it isn't going to be one.

That's a shame, because a Spirit Halloween store in Portland's Old Port for two solid months would be a very big hit. What will the old Timber space end up being? We'll all have to wait and see.