The restaurant chain confirmed in a statement that the South Portland location struggled to overcome post-pandemic difficulties, among other challenges.

Cracker Barrel, specializing in folksy, Southern-style comfort food, had been at 357 Maine Mall Road for close to 15 years. The Tennessee-based company has more than 650 restaurants around the country, though its South Portland location was the only one in Maine.

The only Cracker Barrel restaurant in Maine has closed its doors for good. An employee told CBS13 they found out about the closure when they showed up to work at the store by the Maine Mall in South Portland.

Another major chain restaurant has closed around the Maine Mall, as Cracker Barrel abruptly closed their only Maine location permanently