The Southern Maine retail market is rebounding. According to Malone Commercial Broker’s retail survey, Greater Portland’s vacancy rate was at a 10-year high of 10.8 percent in 2009 but dropped down to 6.24 percent in 2011. We are seeing absorption of some empty big boxes, and new retailers are entering Maine’s marketplace. Last year, Buffalo Wild Wings opened its first Maine restaurant in South Portland and then opened a second location in Auburn. Five Guys opened its first Maine location in Portland in 2011, and Elevation Burger opened in South Portland at the beginning of 2012. Despite national headlines that Urban Outfitters is struggling, in 2011 the trendy chain leased approximately 10,000 square feet on Middle Street in Portland. Other retailers new to Maine’s marketplace over the last year include Aveda, BAM! Books-A-Million, J. Jill and White House Black Market. In addition to new retailers entering Maine, some existing national and regional retailers are expanding. To name a few: ACE Hardware has opened a new location in Falmouth; Subway has opened additional locations in Scarborough, Westbrook, and Lewiston; and Verizon opened a flagship store off of Franklin Arterial in Portland. Maine banks and credit unions are expanding as well. Norway …