Bandaloop closes in Arundel after 22 years
Bandaloop, the long‑standing Portland‑Road eatery in Arundel, has closed its doors for the last time after more than two decades of service. The 18‑year‑old restaurant, which first opened in Kennebunkport in 2004 before moving to its current Arundel location in 2019, shut its windows on Sunday, leaving a vacant barn‑style building that is now under contract for a new dining venture.
The decision to close came after Bridget and Scott Lee, the couple who ran Bandaloop since it opened, announced in July that the restaurant had found a buyer. In a Facebook post the Lees revealed that the property had been on the market for several years and that a purchase agreement was now in place. They added that the new owners intend to launch a completely different restaurant at the site, though they had not yet shared details about the proposed concept.
“We are happy and are looking forward, but we will miss it all,” the Lees wrote in an Instagram post announcing the closure. “Thank you to everyone who has made this place a home over the years.” The couple had earlier indicated that Bandaloop would remain open until mid‑September, giving loyal patrons a final window to enjoy its globally inspired menu that highlighted local ingredients.
Bandaloop began in Kennebunkport in 2004 before the Lees moved the business to a renovated eighteenth‑century barn on Portland Road in Arundel. The building’s rustic charm and the chefs’ focus on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients made the restaurant a popular destination for both locals and visitors. Over the years, the menu evolved to include a mix of international flavors, and the restaurant earned a reputation for creative, comforting dishes that appealed to a broad clientele.
The building’s sale and the announcement of a new restaurant bring change to the Arundel dining scene. While the exact timing of the new establishment’s opening remains unclear, the contract indicates that the property will soon be back in operation under a different banner. For now, the vacant space on Portland Road serves as a reminder of Bandaloop’s impact on Maine’s culinary landscape.
Patrons and community members who have frequented Bandaloop over the years have expressed a mix of nostalgia and hope. Some have taken to social media to thank the Lees for their years of hospitality, while others speculate on the culinary direction the new owners may pursue. Regardless of what comes next, the closure of Bandaloop marks the end of a significant chapter in Arundel’s food culture, as the restaurant that once transformed a historic barn into a culinary hub now makes way for a new venture.
As the building prepares for its next chapter, the community watches with curiosity, hoping that whatever replaces Bandaloop will continue to celebrate Maine’s local produce and culinary creativity—an ethos that has long defined the beloved establishment.
