After 12 Years, Portland’s Vena’s Fizz House Closes Shop for Good

It was a project in Portland, Maine, that started out of necessity and quickly grew to national fame.

If you've followed the unique Vena's Fizz House with a location on Fore Street in Portland that opened in 2013, you know they started as almost an anti-bar. They only served mocktails for their first two years. Creative, well-crafted delicious mocktails. This was an ode to the namesake of Vena. Vena (short for Irvina) was Johanna Corman's great-grandmother and an advocate of prohibition. Vena's Fizz House expanded to spirits too.

How did Portland, Maine's, Vena's Fizz House move from a storefront, online to closed?

It's actually retirement. Not a forced closing, but a choice closing. They were forced to close their storefront during the pandemic that was on Fore Street in Portland's Old Port in 2021. They had big plans to renovate a church (irony) on Congress Street. But changed their minds during the renovation and decided to go strictly online. It's always sad to say goodbye to a business you love. Owners Steve and Johanna Coran said on their website,

After 12 amazing, crazy, wonderful years creating, owning, operating and pouring our blood, sweat and tears into Vena’s Fizz House, Steve and I are ready to retire – Woot Woot!

What a ride it has been….

We can never thank our loyal customers enough for their support through the years.

READ MORE: 5 Portland, Maine Bars With A Top-Notch Mocktail Menu

Wanna take over or buy Vena's Fizz House?

They also mentioned on their website, that there's good news for you! Starting March 19th, 2025 all of their products will go on sale until inventory is gone. The last day for shipping will be April 15th, 2025. The doors are closed for good on April 30. But if you really love it, and are interested in buying or taking it over - just shoot Verna's great-granddaughter Johanna an email at johanna@venasfizzhouse.com.

Congratulations to two teachers, one laid off due to budget cuts, who followed their dream. This tiny little fizz house got national attention from CNN for being a bar NOT serving alcohol. Enjoy retirement!