Maine shops adjust to life without pennies as federal minting stops

Local businesses across Portland, Maine, are restructuring their cash handling as the federal government phases out the penny. Following a presidential order to stop minting the coin due to production costs exceeding its value, retailers like Burke's Perks and Rosemont Market are experiencing a shortage from local banks. Many shops have begun rounding cash transactions to the nearest nickel—often absorbed as a loss by the business—to maintain efficiency at the register and avoid customer frustration.