The two vacant lots across from Vestal could soon become a food cart pod. Back in August of 2016 Baiyok Thai Cuisine, and one other business, burnt down across from Vestal Elementary School on NE 82nd Ave. Now those two lots are being combined. A reader called our attention to a new permit application for 160 NE 82ND Ave. “Convert 2 lots to new food cart pod, including grading, paving, and installation of utilities and stormwater facility.”

According to documents, The Yard At Montavilla will likely be the name for this new cart pod. Based on the names provided on the Early Assistance application and a LLC filing. The same documents show that both Jeffrey Dennis and Kevin L. Dennis are attached to this project. They are behind a few other Portland developments, notably the The Hollywood 12 and The Hollywood 8 (Surprisingly the demolition of Baiyok Thai Cuisine and the building notice for the two Hollywood buildings, aperade in the same Star News article back in 2017). It is exciting to see a food related business return to this site. Up to this point it has been used as a parking lot or sat vacant.

With the loss of the food carts that had been part of the Beets Auto location, now demolished, this food cart pod will bring back carts to this area of Montavilla. We look forward to seeing what develops there and hopefully we can be eating there by this summer.