Many Portland, Maine Restaurants Suffer During Winter of Discontent

The winter weather is wreaking havoc on Portland's acclaimed restaurant scene.

Winters are already slow for most restaurants, because there aren't as many tourists around. But after about 80 inches of snow in the city this winter and 18 on-street parking bans, even the locals are staying home.

Harding Smith, owner of four restaurants in the city, tells the Portland Press Herald that business is down 15 to 20 percent since mid-January.

He says things were even worse on Valentine's Day when his business was down 40 percent to 50 percent.

High-end restaurants suffer because customers don't want to walk through the snow in nice shoes and clothes.

Not all restaurants are suffering. Becky's Diner owner Becky Rand says she's received steady business from police officers and plow drivers.