New South Portland, Maine, Restaurant Closed Indefinitely After Fire

It isn't easy to open a restaurant.

From a long checklist of every single thing that needs to be to gain permits to hiring and training staff and ensuring what you'll be serving is something people want to pay for.

It takes a lot of mental and physical energy. But when that grand opening happens and is successful, every restaurant owner will tell you that it was worth it.

So you can probably imagine the frustration and pain when a restaurant has to close less than two months after their grand opening following a fire.

That's what is going on with Makoto in South Portland, Maine.

Makoto in South Portland, Maine, Has Kitchen Fire and Will Close Indefinitely

The South Portland Fire Department was called to the new restaurant called Makoto on Saturday.

The South Portland Fire Department stated in a release that fire crews encountered heavy smoke when entering the restaurant before firefighters determined the cause was of the fire coming from the hood vent system in the kitchen.

In the process of extinguishing the fire, the crews had to cut a hole in the roof. Makoto's kitchen and roof sustained significant damage. However, nobody was injured during this event.

Makoto is expected to remain closed indefinitely for repairs.

Makoto in South Portland, Maine, Had Their Grand Opening on April 1

According to Portland Food Map, the new wood-fired grill and sushi restaurant had opened officially in South Portland, Maine, on April 1.

The restaurant shares the same ownership as Portland, Maine, favorite Yosaku and replaced the long-running barbecue restaurant Elsmere at the 448 Cottage Road location.