Portland's famed department store comes alive in historian's new book

A new book by department store historian Michael Lisicky focuses on Porteous, Portland’s long-running department store that operated from the late 1800s until its closure in the 1990s. Although the building at 522 Congress St. has housed the Maine College of Arts and Design (MECA&D) for more than three decades, Lisicky traces how Porteous became a flagship retail anchor for nearly nine decades before that. The book, titled “You’ll Enjoy Shopping at Porteous,” covers the chain’s rise and closure through the 20th century, including Christmas traditions, the development of the Maine Mall, and expansion across three states. The Portland store closed in February 1991, and the release date is Oct. 27.