Category: Event

Community, Event, Food and Drink, New Business

Hong Phat Supercenter Celebration

Hông Phát celebrated the opening of its new Supercenter at 4200 SE 82nd Avenue on Friday, July 26th, with firecrackers, lion dancers, and speakers lauding the anticipated community contribution of this grocery store. Store staff filled the former Walmart location in Eastport Plaza’s campus with many of the fresh produce and imported brands found in the local chain’s other three locations. However, the added shelf space of this significantly larger grocery allows for a broader selection of brands often found in national stores like the one it replaced. This product diversity signals the subtle shift of the traditionally Asian food retailer into its position as a neighborhood grocery store while retaining its culturally specific roots.

Business partners Brandon Wang (left) and Hoang Nguyen (right)

Opening ceremony attendees heard from the co-owners of the new 154,000-square-foot building, Brandon Wang and Dr. Hoang Nguyen. Wang, who started Hông Phát on NE Prescott Street in 2003, kept his remarks brief while Nguyen led the event. Oregon Representative Dr. Thuy Tran​ of District 45 spoke to the crowd about this store’s importance to the community as it will bring jobs and food resources back into an area abandoned by a national retailer. Religious leaders were in attendance alongside business supporters to cut the ribbon and welcome people into the store, led by lion dancers and followed by firecrackers.

The Hông Phát Supercenter supports several small businesses within the large building along the front of the store, with some unopened stores under construction along the rear wall. The prepared food vendor under the “Food Court” moniker, salon Wind Hair Design, and Ngoc Vi Jewelers sit between the Supercenter’s two front entrances. Inside the grocery area, local company Trazza Foods has a dedicated section offering its assortment of prepared and packaged traditional Lebanese dishes. DAT Furnishings – Harmony Decor’s shop at the back of the store is under construction, and Nguyen said they plan to add 20,000 square feet of additional tenant space.

Shoppers unfamiliar with many of the brands stocked in the Hông Phát Supercenter will still find foods found in non-Asian-focused markets. The store has a Vegan/Vegetarian and a Hispanic food section among other categories. People will discover Tillamook dairy products and other familiar domestic brands on the shelves throughout the store. However, guests will need to search for those products and explore less-known options to fill their pantries.

Americans have imported almost every dominant food type from other countries and cultures. At points in history, Italian sauces and pasta were considered “exotic” foods. Time changes grocery store selections, and it is easy to forget that some items were not in every store until recently. Bagels are no longer the specialty of Jewish delicatessens but now found in the bread aisle of nearly every national food seller. Many shoppers think of the change as gradual mass acceptance of adopted items, but it can also occur from rapid demographic shifts. Regional chains like Hông Phát are a variation of an evolving American diet shaped by its people. Not only will they stock products to meet diverse community demands, but the community may also adapt to what food is close to home, blending ingredients less common to generations before with modified family recipes.

Hông Phát Supercenter is still developing, with new tenant spaces due to open later in the year. Some aisle signage is missing, and a busy opening weekend has left empty shelf spaces. However, there is more to view in this vast store than most will want to tackle in one trip. Shoppers should see more updates over the next few months while the new neighborhood grocery store adapts to meet customers’ tastes. They are open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account or you can pay for a full year directly online. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

Community, Entertainment, Event, Food and Drink

Plaza Berry Bash July 18

On July 18th, from 4 to 8 p.m., the Montavilla Farmers Market will host a Berry Bash Summer Celebration in the Montavilla Plaza on SE 79th Avenue at SE Stark Street. Attendees can receive free berry recipe tastings and make shortcake treats. The event will feature live music and berry sales from market vendors. Threshold Brewery will host a beer garden at the plaza during the celebration. As an extension of the event, Redwood restaurant will host a Strawberry Social happy hour featuring on-theme cocktails and desserts a few doors down the street at 7915 SE Stark Street.

Funding from Prosper Portland and Portland Events and Film helped create this Plaza activity as part of the reimagined Thursdays on the Plaza summertime programming. Berry Bash is an interactive event that celebrates locally grown Oregon berries. The Montavilla/East Tabor Business Association (METBA) coordinates 79th Avenue Plaza activities with summer events like this, Montavilla Movie Nights, and many other family-friendly activities to bring people together in the seasonally comfortable weather. Later this month, METBA will host the 11th Street Fair on Sunday, July 28th. The well-attended event closes SE Stark Street from 82nd to 76th Avenues and offers food, music, beer gardens, and vendors. This year’s street fair lasts an hour longer, running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

People looking for a mid-week activity should consider attending the Berry Bash Summer Celebration this Thursday and keeping an eye on the METBA calendar for future Plaza events. The Firsts Montavilla Movie Nights starts at 8 p.m. on August 8th with Ghostbusters Frozen Empire. People can attend Rock’ N Roll High School on August 15th and Cloak & Dagger on August 22nd.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News will have a booth at this year’s Montavilla Street Fair. Please see us for a free sticker. We hope to see you there.

Community, Event, New Business, View of Montavilla

New Holgate Library Opens July 13

The replacement Holgate Library will reopen to the public on July 13th with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and three days of events. The entirely new two-story mass timber facility at 7905 SE Holgate Boulevard replaces the former single-story Library and is the first new branch building constructed since 2010. The Multnomah County-run location hosts thousands of new books but also features many other community-supporting resources that help ensure all county residents have access to digital tools and young guests have dedicated areas to do more than read.

The Holgate Library is three times the size of the original building at this site, now offering 21,000 square feet, becoming one of the largest libraries in Multnomah County. The $27 million investment in this facility is part of a 2020 capital bond that supports a system-wide refresh of the previously undersized library system. In addition to added capacity, program designers have looked to enhance the resources provided to the public and adjust to meet shifting community needs. Recognizing that the Holgate Library supports one of the most culturally diverse areas in the region, Multnomah County leaders made this project a cornerstone of the system updates. It features the first fully enclosed Teen Room with Nintendo Switch-based gaming and video creation kits available for checkout. In addition to several community meeting spaces with multimedia connections and assistive technologies, one of the reservable spaces has a sink and splash-safe flooring that can work as a future maker space. Visitors can also access computer resources where they can print and scan. The upper floor features private booths for taking calls or other solitary work.

Teen Room with TV, gaming system, art supplies, media production kits and study space

The Library’s design resulted from extensive community and staff engagement with artwork wrapping the structure and anchoring walls. The green exterior and carpeting resulted from survey participant input, and the art selected in partnership with the Regional Arts and Culture Council represents the community. Two elevators ensure people can navigate the building smoothly, but a central stairway entices people to walk the naturally lit and decoratively screened steps. Recognizing the need for universal communications, signs in the building feature mostly icons instead of words. Many aspects of the Library respond to the diversity seen in its user base. Fourteen Community Design Advocates participated in a paid program designed to connect library designers to representatives from various communities, shaping this building’s functions and design.

The Saturday opening will begin with brief remarks from 9:30 to 10 a.m. The guests will then have the opportunity to experience performances by the White Lotus Dance Team, Two Generations of Hoops Dance, and Mulan Drum and Jade Dance Team throughout the day. A Traditional Vietnamese music performance with David Dahl concludes the first day’s schedule from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The two remaining event days will contain more afternoon programs representing various cultures and artistic performances. The Library’s information page offers a complete listing of events and times.

Kids room with large play area and reserved computers, alongside age-appropriate books

Library staff invites people to attend the three-day celebration or visit anytime during regular operating hours to experience the amenities not originally part of the former 6,400 square-foot space. People caring for young children should appreciate the large learning and play space on the ground floor. This branch also features the latest automated materials handling technology, allowing people to self-checkout and return borrowed items. A new Book Locker lets patrons pick up on hold without waiting for assistance. The automation already seen in many other library systems frees library staff to assist those with special requests and support the increased number of people expected to visit this location. Even those not wanting to come indoors can enjoy the outdoor plaza where community members can relax and connect. The Holgate Library is open from noon to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Article and Photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account or you can pay for a full year directly online. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

Business Relocating, Event, Food and Drink

Miller Paint’s Opening Celebration BBQ

Miller Paint’s newest location at 9312 SE Stark Street will officially open on July 15th, with a week-long celebration running through the 20th. On Thursday, July 18th, people can join the paint store staff for a BBQ event from 11 a.m. through 3 p.m. Cookout guests will receive free grilled food and refreshments and could win raffled giveaways. Customers will receive discounts on all paint and painting supplies throughout the opening week.

Miller Paint began installing signage at its new Montavilla store at the beginning of the year. The 4,000-square-foot shop replaces the decades-old 10114 SE Division Street store that was recently closed to allow staff to transfer operations to SE Stark Street. Crews created a new shopfront for the store, which was previously part of Cascade Athletic Clubs and had no defined entrance. Demolition workers removed the dance studio stage and mirrored the wall to make way for the showroom and warehouse space. Around 1,000 square feet of retail floor area shows off paint colors and specialty supplies, while the remaining 3,000 square feet provide sufficient storage space to keep home improvers and professional painters working.

Miller Paint relocated this paint store to SE Stark Street due to its improved visibility and easy access. The Taco Bell adjacent building’s proximity to Interstate 205 makes it an accessible stop-off location for customers all over the area. Although the business district has several paint supply buying options, Miller Paint touts its Pacific Northwest-formulated paints and stains as a better choice for Portland buildings. The 1890-era Portland-based company was the first paint producer in the region and has gradually grown its network of stores across the Portland metro area and the Northwest. However, Miller Paint is committed to serving customers close to home, keeping its operations and management local.

Customers of the SE Division Street shop will recognize the store staff at the new location, including the shop dog Archer, named after the Star Trek Captain Jonathan Archer character. The store is open from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Employees began working from the new location on Monday, July 8th, and can help with many needs now but will not have the store fully stocked until opening week.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account or you can pay for a full year directly online. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

Bar, Event, Food and Drink, History

Montavilla Brew Works 9yr Celebration

On Saturday, July 13th, Montavilla Brew Works will celebrate nine years of serving locally brewed beer with an all-ages event from noon to 9 p.m. Although this event commemorates the years since this pioneering neighborhood destination greeted guests, it represents a decade of work for founders Melissa and Michael Kora, who nurtured this ten-barrel brewery and taproom through good and challenging times. The festivities at 7805 SE Stark Street will have DJ MD providing music to guests inside and under the covered patio area, while Demarco’s Sandwiches will sell food from their food truck parked on SE 78th Avenue. The brew masters will also break out archived beers at the peak of their aging cycle for special pours of brewing history.

Montavilla Brew Works grew from a home-brewer’s passion and a desire to create a neighborhood-scale enterprise. Before starting his brewery, Michael Kora secured work with Bridgeport Brewing Company after briefly working for the owner’s winery business. When the seasonal wine work ended, Dick Ponzi learned of Kora’s desire to work in the brewing industry and found a place for him in his other business where he could learn about operations. “I didn’t get to brew because I didn’t go to brew school. I was driving a truck, working in the warehouse, shipping, distributing, moving beer around, and learning brewing at home. I then nano brewed for a while at the Green Dragon,” recalled Kora. After growing his skills and experiencing the brewing business from the inside, it seemed time to branch out on his own. Sitting at McMenamins Edgefield, Michael and Melissa Kora sketched out a five-year business plan and agreed to start looking for a space to rent.

Melissa and Michael Kora touring the Daugherty Auto Service garage 2013. Photo courtesy Michael Kora

The couple moved into Montavilla several years before starting their business. After agreeing to start a brewery, they looked for commercial spaces in neighboring areas but could not find a suitable location that fit their vision for the taproom. However, with some luck and good timing, Michael Kora discovered the neglected former Daugherty Auto Service garage at the corner of SE 78th and Stark Street. “I was riding home from the gym and came by Stark Street just to kind of look at what was going on and there was a for sale or lease sign. This building was so dilapidated it was nothing to look at, but Melissa and I were from the Detroit area of Michigan. I’d seen worse, so [I thought] this building is pretty cool and would make a cool brewery,” said Michael Kora. William “Dave” Beets, the operator of the now-demolished Beets Auto Body, owned the property and was excited to see it go to new owners for such an unexpected use. “He was a character, but he was surprisingly stoked. He said, ‘I think this is awesome. You guys are gonna be the first. There’s no breweries around here like this. It’s gonna be good for the community and the neighborhood.’ He was a neighborhood guy even though he didn’t live here,” recalled Kora.

Daugherty Auto Service garage. Photo courtesy Michael Kora

The Kora’s became tenants of the Stark Street building in 2013, but it would take over two years to open the doors to the public. The original owners of the 1922-era auto garage never designed it to house any other type of business, and it took substantial efforts to rehabilitate the building. Permits took four months to approve, and construction lasted another nine months. Kora discovered that the building roof slopes significantly to the northwest corner of the property for rainwater drainage, forcing him to place his tall brewing equipment at the south-facing front of the building, blocking windows and putting beer production centerstage. During construction, he added onto the north side of the building to create a walk-in cooler and storage room needed to keep finished beer and ingredients out of the limited customer-facing space.

Montavilla Brew Works construction. Photo courtesy Michael Kora

Construction delays, the added brewery inspections, and unanticipated expenses drained their cash reserves. Michael Kora started beer production offsite to begin bringing in funds and building the brand. Flying Pie Pizzeria was an early supporter, buying the pre-opening batches and installing a permanent Montavilla Brew Works tap handle at the restaurant, replacing Bud Light. Initially, they relied on help from friends, but the couple mainly worked alone at Montavilla Brew Works for the first few years. “Melissa designed everything on the interior. So she made this place feel like it does. And I was the beer guy and eventually the business guy. It was her and I for the first four and a half years,” recalled Kora. After the early lean years, they brought in help to brew their beers and cover bar shifts. With the added staff, it was beginning to feel sustainable until the pandemic upended the business model. Montavilla Brew Works focused on serving draft beer onsite with little attention paid to the at-home market. They distributed a limited number of kegs to local businesses but had not embraced canning. COVID-19 bar closures forced a change in the whole microbrewery industry. “We completely 180’d, and we’re in this world where we were doing 100% draft, and then we switched to 100% cans. Melissa and I were out there every week delivering to people’s homes,” said Michael Kora. They had to let their employees go to keep the business going. The brewery survived that scary time and invested early in outdoor seating to bring people back as soon as possible. Business is still recovering, but Kora expects it will not be on the same trajectory it was on before the pandemic.

Post-COVID, Melissa and Michael Kora spend less time in the brewery during service hours. Both are more focused on improving operations and branding, with a goal to make each subsequent batch better than the last. Although they retained canned beer to some degree, wide expansion is not part of the company’s plans. “A good 80 plus percent is still draft, and the remainder is packaged because we don’t distribute that far out of Portland. Hence putting the name of the neighborhood on it. We want people to come here. You want them to come to the neighborhood,” explained Michael Kora. Montavilla Brew Works’ hyper-local interest extends beyond just its business name. Over the years, Kora collaborated with area businesses to produce cross-promoting brews. These include an American amber beer titled Academy Amber after the Academy Theater, East Glisan Mosaic is dedicated to East Glisan Pizza Lounge, and a German Pilsner-style lager called Plywood Pilsner spotlights neighbor business Mr. Plywood. “We figured we live here, bought our house here, our business is here. We’re going all in, and you know, it’s worked. It’s helped build a really loyal fan base,” said Kora.

People can find limited supplies of Montavilla Brew Works beer at around 300 locations from Hood River to Hillsborough and as far south as Eugene and Corvallis. However, the corner of SE Stark Street and 78th Avenue is the best place to experience it. This weekend’s celebration will feature vintage beers that Kora has stored for years, just waiting for a special accession. The staff will sell these beers in smaller sipper cups to let more people experience the limited stock of aged brews. The event will also allow children to attend. Montavilla Brew Works has famously prohibited children, smoking, and televisions inside the tap room during regular business hours. However, on street fair days and special events, they set aside the rules prohibiting kids and open the space to all ages. Guests are encouraged to stop by July 13th starting at noon, and those interested in the archival beers should drop by early to get a taste while supplies last.

By

Jacob Loeb

Event, Food and Drink

Fressen’s Biergarten Seasonal Opening

Last Thursday night on June 20th, Fressen Artisan Bakery opened its seasonal Biergarten, offering beer, wine, and a dinner menu. At the start of summer, Fressen at 7075 NE Glisan Street runs nighttime service Thursday through Saturday every week until the end of the Oktoberfest season. Diners can enjoy pretzels, Schnitzel, and house-made spaetzle egg noodles alongside a selection of beers on tap. The traditional German bakery is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday during the summer, with the Biergarten operating a few of those evenings from 5 to 9 p.m.

Guests order from the counter and can find seating under the covered outdoor patio or one of several inside tables. Glass-paneled garage doors connect the two seating areas when open, and subtle German music heard throughout the restaurant adds to the cultural flavors of the space. The seven-item Biergarten menu offers two salads with shredded green and red cabbage or endives as its base. Their charcuterie board contains olives, house pickles, schiacciata salami, goat cheese, baba ghanoush, and a house-baked baguette. For a meatier option, Fressen serves the Nuernberger sausage board with sweet house mustard, house pickles, and pretzel. The house-made spaetzle noodles are served vegetarian with melted leeks, mushrooms, and garlic in a white wine sauce, or the chef combines the spaetzle with smoked gouda, caramelized onions, and garlic in a brandy sauce. The chicken schnitzel served with fried potato salad, red sauerkraut, and dill aioli is an impressive and filling option.

Many diners gravitate towards SE Stark Street when making evening plans. However, NE Glisan Street continues to build on its own collection of eateries and bars. People looking for a unique late-week experience should consider Fressen’s Biergarten while it is open and venture out on NE Glisan to experience the growing number of destinations along the street.

Article and Photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account or you can pay directly online. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscribers or sponsors. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

Community, Event

Literary Event at BoneJax June 21

This Friday, June 21st, BoneJax will host a free literary event featuring authors reading excerpts from their recently published short stories collected in the “Defining Moments” anthology. From 7 to 8:30 p.m. people can gather in the vintage home furnishings store at 8040 SE Stark Street to listen to stories from LGBTQ+ lives and ask questions of the authors. Attendees can bring copies of the book purchased online or from BoneJax to the event for signing.

Six of “Defining Moments: Essential queer stories'” 15 authors will attend the event. The collection highlights short stories from writers of various backgrounds navigating societal challenges as they work towards self-acceptance and empowerment. The narratives offer insight into the complexities of LGBTQ+ lives at defining moments overlooked by mainstream accounts of those experiences.

Image courtesy Our Bold Voices

Since Montavilla’s branch library closed in November 1981, local literary events have become increasingly infrequent. However, Montavilla businesses have made space for authors over the years, allowing residents convenient access to writers and their work. Consider starting your weekend on SE Stark Street with dinner or drinks before heading to BoneJax for this engaging evening event.

Defining Moments: Essential queer stories – Authors List (* indicates June 21st speakers)

Article and photo by

Jacob Loeb

Community, Entertainment, Event

Delayed Opening of Montavilla Pool

Montavilla Pool will not open on June 20th alongside Portland Parks & Recreation’s (PP&R) other outdoor pools. The seasonal public swimming facility requires the fabrication and installation of a new pool drain cover to meet federal safety compliance for pools and spas. The pool has been closed to the public since August 25th, 2023, when a young swimmer was found unresponsive in the pool and later died. Aquatic maintenance staff could not complete upgrades earlier due to an ongoing independent safety review instigated by last summer’s tragedy. The incident was PP&R’s first fatal drowning in nearly 40 years.

Drain cover crews will replaced seen in lower right

Work at the site will require an excavator and other heavy machinery to open up the pool’s concrete base, exposing the plumbing to maintenance staff. The contractor expects to complete the work at Montavilla Pool on or before July 22nd, 2024. The 2024 pool season concludes on August 23rd for all outdoor swim facilities, so this delay truncates Montavilla Pool’s available class capacity. People who have already registered for a Summer Session 1 lesson from July 1st to 12th can participate in the East Portland Community Center (EPCC) programs. Registrants could also receive a full refund if EPCC is not a suitable alternative. Montavilla Pool staff will temporarily transfer to EPCC pool to assist customers who have signed up for swim lessons and summer swim team activities at Montavilla and have shifted locations during the construction closure.

PP&R will launch a new Safe Swim hub on June 17th, featuring swim safety resources for indoor and outdoor swimmers. Parks leadership expressed a commitment to making the future swimming season safer through equipment upgrades and education. If crews complete pool construction before July 22nd, Montavilla News will update this article.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Disclosure: A family member of this article’s author works for PP&R as a seasonal employee in the Free Lunch + Play program.

Montavilla Pool is located at 8219 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR 97220

East Portland Community Center is located at 740 SE 106th Ave, Portland, OR 97216

Community, Event, Food and Drink, View of Montavilla

Free Lunch and Play Returns in 2024

When Portland Public Schools close for summer on June 14th, families will need a way to fill the gap left in their children’s daytime schedule. For many kids, school offers activities and services beyond education. Some students rely on school as their only structured playtime with peers and depend on the free lunch program for a midday meal. Thanks to funds provided by the 2020 voter-approved Parks Local Option Levy, the Free Lunch + Play program offers children 18 years old and younger weekday activities without registration or cost. From June 24th to August 16th, kids can show up at 22 parks citywide for recreational activities and a nutritious lunch.

Montavilla Park at 8219 NE Glisan Street, Gateway Discovery Park at 10520 NE Halsey Street, and Lents Park at SE 92 Avenue and SE Steele Street will host Free Lunch + Play activities for Montavilla area residents. The Monday through Friday parks program runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with meal service times shifting based on location. Parks employees will organize games and other group activities throughout the four-hour sessions. The program staff will take July 4th and 5th off in observance of the national holiday.

Portland Public Schools, Centennial School District, Parkrose School District, and David Douglas School District will provide all the meal packs that adhere to the USDA Federal Lunch Program regulations. Youth must attend in person to receive meals and eat all the food on-site. Foodservice occurs only during stated mealtimes. For Montavilla Park, that is from noon to 1:30 p.m. At Lents Park, food is available from 11:30 a.m. through 1 p.m. Gateway Discovery Park has a shorter mealtime window of 11 to 11:45 a.m. Staff will require everyone to wash their hands before receiving food.

Free Lunch + Play is part of Portland Parks & Recreation’s (PP&R) Summer Free For All program. It also includes activities at PP&R outdoor pools, open from June 20th through August 23rd. Six outdoor pools will host a weekly free swim session in addition to regularly scheduled swim lessons, open play swims, and water fitness offerings. Montavilla’s pool offers free swim sessions on Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. People will find a complete list of Summer Free For All’s inclusive and family-friendly activities on the PP&R website. The programming celebrates Portland’s diverse cultures and local artists while providing fitness, food, and entertainment opportunities.

Update: Montavilla Pool will open later than other PP&R pools due to planned upgrades. It should open no later than July 22nd, 2024.

Disclosure: A family member of this article’s author works for PP&R as a seasonal employee in the Free Lunch + Play program.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Community, Event, Food and Drink

Spring Fling Block Party on NE Glisan

This Saturday, June 1st, the Montavilla East Tabor Business Association (METBA) will host a block party from noon to 5 p.m. at NE Glisan Street and NE 70th Avenue. The Montavilla’s Spring Fling Block Party follows a month of neighborhood activities sponsored by the organization, which included a donation drive and a district-wide street cleanup. Organizers will fill the Rocket Empire Machine‘s parking lot at 6935 NE Glisan Street and close NE 70th Avenue from NE Glisan Street to NE Hoyt Street for the activities.

The family-friendly community event will feature live music, vendors, and art alongside the selection of eateries inside the Rocket Empire Machine food hall. In addition to food, Gigantic Brewing’s tap room offers a selection of adult beverages for sale, allowing for a fun event with something for everyone. Vendors will showcase jewelry, gifts, pottery, games, kid activities, and services.

Image courtesy METBA

Visitors will find booths staffed by local businesses offering products and information. Stark Adornments will sell its wearable art, and Board Bard Games will bring a selection of the store’s tabletop entertainment supplies. Shane Reaney Studios and Xtina OnFire Ceramics will display and sell select handcrafted pottery. DolFUN Dynamics will have information about its youth-oriented swimming and gymnastics programs, and OnPoint Credit Union will tell people about its banking services. Tyrell Givens of 2025th Street will also host a video game inspired arts and crafts session during the event. Look for updates about times at METBA’s site (metba.org).

This weekend’s Block Party on NE Glisan Street starts the summer event season in Montavilla, which builds up to the big neighborhood celebration at the end of July. This year’s Montavilla Street Fair is on Sunday, July 28th, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. That event will close SE Stark Street between SE 76th and SE 82nd Avenues. METBA organizers hope to see people out at both events.

by

Jacob Loeb