Category: Top 2025

Construction, New Business, Top 2025

99 Ranch Construction Resumes

After a long permitting and planning process, construction is beginning again on East Portland’s first 99 Ranch Market location at 10546 SE Washington Street. The highly anticipated Asian grocery store’s progress slowed after the property owner made exterior modifications to the storefront and installed new demising walls to create smaller storefronts flanking 99 Ranch’s entryway. The Plaza 205 buildout created a larger floor plan for the grocer at the back of the space while making room for complementary businesses along the shopping center’s frontage.

Since 1984, 99 Ranch has grown from its Westminster, California, origins to become one of the largest Asian grocery chains in the country. Store designs prioritize vibrant interior signage and constant display themes. Visitors can find an array of imported or domestic packaged food, freshly prepared dishes at the deli, and grocery staples that support most Asian culinary traditions. Since the company revealed this location’s planned opening in 2023, many Montavilla News readers have expressed their excitement for its arrival and have lamented the build schedule’s length.

Recently, crews began cutting trenches in the concrete floors to run electrical, water, and drain lines for the new food display and storage equipment. Workers are erecting metal stud walls separating the backroom operations from the large sales floor with its exposed wood-beam ceiling. Crews will polish and seal the concrete flooring throughout the store, adding a stone element that complements the darker color pallet used in many of the company’s grocery stores. When completed, this location will offer up to four sub-tenant spaces for restaurant and retail vendors within the entryway area. Each space has full-height walls between units, and 99 Ranch Market provides all utilities.

Eight standard conveyor-belt-fed registers and four self-checkout lanes near the front of the store separate the vendor area from the grocery operations. Along the west wall of the market, designers placed the hot deli, extensive meat department, and seafood area with live seafood tanks. Produce displays will occupy the frontmost half of the eastern edge of the store, and coolers will wrap around from the produce department’s east wall along the back wall.

Applicant Illustration of sign size increases included as part of LU 24-073292 showing 99 Ranch sign would increase from 60 SF to 150 SF

The Plaza 205 property owners adjusted the exterior design of the building to promote 99 Ranch Market as the anchor tenant, raising its entry arch to become taller than the adjacent parapets. This increased wall space allowed for a larger store sign but required a Design Review approval to allow the 99 Ranch Market sign to exceed the 100 square feet of maximum area per sign standard and increase the allowable sign sizes for the new tenants taking over the other retail areas around the grocery store. LU 24-073292‘s reviewing Staff Planner concluded, “The proposed signs are designed to be well integrated with the building as well as the neighborhood. The addition of signs identifying the building occupants will strengthen the relationship of the building with the neighborhood and enhance the visual interest of the streetscape while bringing a greater sense of identity to the area. The proposed signs do not produce a negative effect to the pedestrian environment in the adjacent sidewalk rights-of-way and adds visual interest to the building, both day and night.” The building sits over 300 feet back from the street, and the increased sign area should improve visibility for people passing the shopping center on SE Washington Street.

Crews will continue to work on this new grocery store over the coming months. Businesses interested in becoming a sub-tenant at this store can contact TAWA Leasing by calling 714-521-8899 or emailing leasing@tawa.com. Shoppers can expect to hear more about opening dates by following 99 Ranch’s social media or the company’s website.

Article and Photos by

Jacob Loeb

Note: Title image digitally edited by MV News to show 99 Ranch sign as originally proposed in permit drawings. Finale store signage will differ and include FRESH PRODUCE, LIVE SEAFOOD, HOT DELI, and BAKERY under the 99 Ranch Market logo based on LU 24-073292 DZM documents

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Otter Wax, a neighborhood producer of small-batch specialty goods handcrafted in Portland. Using only natural ingredients, they make modern care products that are steeped in tradition. We thank them for their support.

Community, Top 2025

Changes at Multnomah Campus

In fall 2025, the Multnomah Campus of Jessup University will cease offering traditional undergraduate classes, athletic programs, and its Master of Arts in Counseling at the Portland-based campus. The University announced these changes on January 13th, highlighting a renewed focus on Seminary, Graduate, and online education. In November 2023, Multnomah University announced they would join Jessup University, transitioning the 8435 NE Glisan Street facility into the third campus for the California-based Christian school. This partnership delivered financial stability to the Portland-based education institution, which is now rightsizing its program to meet current demands while remaining an active community resource.

At the start of the following curriculum year, the Portland Campus’s in-person education will focus on seminary, graduate, and certificate programs. They will no longer offer student housing or athletics programs, opening up the existing facilities for community benefit uses that align with the educational institution’s mission. Volunteers of America Oregon (VOA) is already using two campus dormitories for its residential treatment for women with children, and the soccer field is supporting the youth sports group Inter PDX, which removes the “pay to play” barrier that can keep some kids from participating in the sport.

Multnomah Campus of Jessup University Chancellor Jessica Taylor is committed to using the institution’s educational resources for positive community uses that also support student needs. “Our goal is to always utilize the campus for a community benefit. I don’t want anything shuttered, boarded up, and not being utilized,” said Taylor. However, the University is not interested in becoming a landlord renting space to any tenant. Student safety and support will remain top priorities when considering partner uses of the property. Taylor explained that the organization supports behavioral health services and other critical resources. Its VOA Oregon partnership is a prime example of auxiliary uses for excess campus resources fitting their goals. However, they would not consider programs with drop-in services that could disrupt their educational work or the wider community. “We want to care about the [partner’s] community, but of course balancing that with both safety and operational functioning,” remarked Taylor.

The University’s course reduction in Portland will significantly impact students and staff. At the end of the 2024-2025 academic year, the Multnomah Campus of Jessup University will eliminate over 70 percent of staff and faculty positions. Students continuing in-person classes have various options based on degree path, including transferring to the Rocklin California Campus of Jessup University if the program is supported. Alternatively, George Fox University‘s Newberg and Portland campuses, as well as Corban University’s Salem campus, will offer a teach-out option to enrolled Multnomah undergraduates. Western Seminary University and George Fox University will support Master of Arts in Counseling transfers. This path allows students to stay in Oregon and complete their work towards a degree. Students can also transfer to other higher education programs outside the teach-out options.

Online education is an option for some students due to a new offering from the University dubbed Jessup Global. In the Fall of 2024, the Portland Campus began headquartering that international online education platform for the organization. Chancellor Taylor explained that Jessup University did not offer a seminary education program and that its partnership with Multnomah University added that expertise to its course catalog. Taking the programs online lets the West Coast-based organization reach everyone seeking an Association of Theological Schools (ATS) accredited Seminary degree, regardless of location.

The reduction in courses and campus community has been difficult for Chancellor Taylor. However, this change secures a future for the school, which faced economic challenges with declining enrollment made worse during the last few years. The campus has dropped from a 1000-student maximum enrollment to a few hundred, with half the remaining students graduating this spring. Jessup University’s support gave the Portland campus enough time to reorganize and find its sustainable path. “Without the support and this partnership, Multnomah would have had a sudden and abrupt closure in the fall of 2023,” said Taylor. “The community’s been through so much change, but they are most resilient.”

The NE Glisan Street Campus will remain open to the community during its transition, and University leadership still welcomes people visiting Roger’s Cafe. Taylor said they are open to partnering with complimentary groups for facility uses and look forward to remaining an active part of the Montavilla neighborhood.

Food and Drink, Renovation, Restaurant, Top 2025, View of Montavilla

Fire at Future Chick-fil-A Restaurant

Portland Fire & Rescue responded to an early morning fire inside the shuttered Venue Gentlemen’s Club at 9950 SE Stark Street. The national chain chicken sandwich company, Chick-fil-A Inc., owns the approximately 7,012 square-foot building. Firefighters arrived just before 3 a.m. on January 4th, reportedly observing heavy smoke coming from the structure. Upon entering the building, crews found signs of a ceiling fire and called in a second alarm assignment. Within 20 minutes, crews had the fire under control and found no signs of injury within the building.

Firefighters working outside the shuttered Venue Gentlemen’s Club entrance. Photo by Dennis Weis, courtesy PF&R.

Chick-fil-A Inc. completed the purchase of this property in November 2024, less than a month after the adult entertainment company leasing the space ceased operations on October 26th. This building is located between SE Stark and SE Washington Streets on SE 99th Avenue, just across SE Washington Street from the Mall 205 complex that new investors purchased in January 2022. Several real estate and commercial property interests are investing in properties within this formerly bustling retail center in the Gateway District. Chick-fil-A joins other national chains like Chipotle Mexican Grill, which are continuing efforts to reestablish this area as a commercial corridor for East Portland. Despite the big-name brands moving into some storefronts in this area, the new owners of Plaza 205 are courting a cohort of Asian American owned businesses blocks east of the future Chick-fil-A location, offering more retail diversity to the area’s revival.

North side smoke damage and signs of firefighter efforts to cut power (Jacob Loeb)

Based on visible damage, the fire at 9950 SE Stark Street is unlikely to change plans for the Chick-fil-A project significantly. The building’s overhaul includes substantial renovations while maintaining the general shape of the 1984-era building. Motorists will maintain parking lot access from the two existing SE Washington Street and SE Stark Street driveways. However, guests will need to park their vehicles at this fast food location as the building will not offer a drive-through window. Crews will rework the facade and roof to incorporate a new entry vestibule. Sidewalk improvements around the site will join the parking lot and ramp additions to increase accessible entry to the restaurant. Workers will restructure the interior with all new restrooms, a play area, a sit-down dining room, and kitchen space to meet the Chick-fil-A standards. The existing free-standing sign by each entrance will lose its lower panel letter boards, and contractors will refresh them with Chick-fil-A branding. Illuminated channel letter signs spelling the restaurant’s name will adorn the sides of the building. Permit plans indicate this store will display a “Delivery Drivers” sign directing the app-based service providers to a designated area for pickup, perhaps signaling an anticipated elevated demand for that option.

Venue Gentlemen’s Club post closing October 2024 (Jacob Loeb)

Fire investigators are still working to determine what sparked the blaze. If Portland Permitting & Development approves plans currently under review, crews could begin construction at this property in 2025. However, fire damage could further complicate this project, which has taken years to develop.

By

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Otter Wax, a neighborhood producer of small-batch specialty goods handcrafted in Portland. Using only natural ingredients, they make modern care products that are steeped in tradition. We thank them for their support.

New Business, Top 2025

Storied Vintage Opening on SE Stark

On August 21st, Storied Vintage opened its new Montavilla location at 7850 SE Stark Street after relocating from a 1,000-square-foot space at the Brooklyn Mall on NE Sandy Boulevard. This leap into a dedicated storefront reflects three years of business growth for store owner Jana Fulop. The family-run shop is still developing its hours during this soft launch, but Fulop anticipates hosting an official opening in early September.

Store owner Jana Fulop

Jana Fulop grew her furniture restoration career from a 20-year-long hobby that has roots in her childhood. She grew up outside Portland near Mt. Hood, where pre-owned furniture was more abundant and cost-effective than new furniture. That foundational experience and a desire to reduce consumer waste led Fulop on a life-long effort to rescue quality furniture that is difficult to find in contemporary stores. During her downtime from her marketing and interior design profession, Fulop would put on music and restore furniture for private resale or on commission. However, when the pandemic left her without a job, she made the leap to full-time refinished furniture sales. With the encouragement of Fulop’s spouse, the business grew from 100 square foot space to 1,000 square feet.

Not long after the Brooklyn Mall relocated from SE Milwaukie Avenue to NE Sandy Boulevard, curiosity prompted Fulop to look at a dedicated space where she could bring in her own partner creators and grow the company’s offerings. She was interested in the storefront recently vacated by Endure Vintage. However, she soon learned that Flipside Hats was moving into that smaller storefront, making their larger space with a 1,200 square foot showroom available. It was a tough choice to leave the comfort of her current situation and take on a larger, dedicated space. However, the location won them over. “The minute I walked in here, I’m like, ‘Yep, this is my store.’ It just works,” said Fulop. Even in the short time since she opened the doors, it has seemed like the right choice. “It’s been amazing, honestly, and the community has been fantastic. It’s just been really great, you know, some places you don’t get that,” remarked Fulop.

Although furniture and housewares are still arriving in the shop, Fulop has already filled the showroom with reconditioned items and new products that use reclaimed materials. Fulop tries to make sure she has reasonable prices on her items. Thinking back on her upbringing, she hopes people find essential items they can afford in her store alongside the higher-end showpiece furniture on display. The shop features a mix of styles spanning years of durable and creative furniture. “I’m not a purist in the sense that I have to stick to one style. I sell a little bit of everything. I do a lot of mid-century. I carry a lot of antiques and primitive pieces, such as art deco when it’s a good piece,” explained Fulop.

People can also find mixed animal prints on parchment from Whatif Creations. “Jesse is a local Portland artist, and she has all these funky animal prints. She was a social worker working with kids, and she’d draw little things for them to engage with. They would ask, ‘What would happen if you mixed a turtle and a giraffe? What would that look like?’ So she started making these [drawings], and then it turned into a full-time business for her,” said Fulop. Shoppers will find a collection of jewelry made from vintage 1970s tiles alongside other adornments on display next to the sales counter. Throughout the store, visitors will discover hardwood products made by Tropical Salvage. For nearly 30 years, that company has imported discarded wood from Indonesia to build furniture and homewares.

Managing a business will be a balancing act for someone like Jana Fulop, who is primarily interested in doing restoration work and needs that production time to ready items for sale. Fortunately, her niece watches the shop a couple of days a week, allowing the shop owner to work in the back, refinishing furniture or working on operational issues. However, she will also bring in more per-owned items that do not require refinishing. Additionally, partnering with environmentally friendly companies like Tropical Salvage is another way for the store to have inventory on the floor that does not require constant sourcing like the pre-owned items.

Fulop is happy with her move to Montavilla and looks forward to adapting the shop to meet local tastes and interests. The shop’s name comes from her desire to share stories through the pieces on display. With the large windows and skylights filling the sales floor with natural light, each classic piece of unique furniture can show its history and its refreshed potential to continue life in another home. Storied Vintage is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Jana Fulop and her husband are Seventh-day Adventists and do not work during the day on Saturdays.

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.