A lifelong resident has teamed up with a local pizza expert to open up a new restaurant on Main Street called Primavera Pizzeria. Melissa Crouch-Arroyo was born and raised in Portland. Her first job was washing dishes at Manning’s, a now-closed restaurant that operated just a few doors down from the business she now owns at 222 Main St.

This was the start of her career. “Ever since then, I’ve grown my career in the restaurant industry,” Crouch-Arroyo said. She has built up her resume working in various food service positions, including owning her own catering business. At one of these establishments, she met her now business partner Roberto Mekuli.