Category: New Business

Community, New Business

Meals on Wheels People’s Eastside Hub

Across from Eastport Plaza, the Meals on Wheels People nonprofit is transforming a full block frontage at 4035 SE 82nd Avenue into an East Portland food distribution hub and resiliency center for a community that depends on their system for regular sustenance. The warehouse portion of the building already houses frozen and shelf-stable meals for the nonprofit’s programs on this side of the river. When construction is complete, this site will serve as a backup kitchen for their westside primary facilities, a resource center, a counter-service restaurant for program participants, and an event space.

The organization purchased the property in July 2021 with the intention of quickly expanding its delivery network, which distributes prepared meals to collection locations across the region where people come to eat in groups, or where volunteers collect and transport those meals to homebound elderly recipients. “We originally thought we could do this pretty quickly because the [existing] warehouse was added on in 2014. We could start with a warehouse because we weren’t moving any walls or anything, just installing our freezers and coolers in there. That took forever, so we then said, ‘Well, let’s do the whole deal,'” recalled Suzanne Washington, the Chief Executive Officer at Meals on Wheels People. They began work in phases, using the completed sections as crews renovate existing structures and then begin construction on new structures. “Phase one was that warehouse. Phase two is some offices and then part of the service area, as I call it,” explained Washington. Most of the building is single-story, but the area under construction will have two levels, an event space upstairs and the main floor hosting a kitchen, cafe area, hub for senior deliveries, and additional space they intend to lease to another service provider group that would benefit from being connected to Meals on Wheels People patrons.

Modern building exterior with a vibrant yellow accent, featuring large windows and a landscaped entrance, showcasing a welcoming atmosphere.
Rendering of expanded building on SE 82nd Avenue courtesy Meals on Wheels People

During the nonprofit’s phased buildout, the neighboring Eastport Food Center cart pod closed, with its owner moving out of Oregon. He listed the property at 3905 SE 82nd Avenue for sale, and Meals on Wheels People purchased it in August 2024 to support development logistics and provide future auxiliary vehicle storage space. “We own this lot across the street, which is right now our staging for construction, but it will become parking for the event space and the senior transportation vans,” said Washington. The main Eastside facility has a parking lot, but four stalls support Electric Vehicle (EV) charging for the growing fleet of battery-powered transportation used by Meals on Wheels People. The SE Center Street accessed parking lot dedicates a sizable amount of space to the “U” shaped driveway that will support the speedy loading of delivery vehicles. Having the expanded parking across the street allowed designers to focus on operational uses adjacent to the building. The large lot across the street also allows for the delivery and staging of produce directly to this location. “So fruits, vegetables, and supplementary food will be delivered here directly, so we don’t have to bring them from Multnomah Village. Multnomah Village is now only bringing those frozen meals,” Washington said.

Two electric vehicles parked at a charging station, one displaying a 'meals for kids' graphic and the other with a child-friendly design.

Reducing the amount of food transported is a key component of this expansion project. Although the established network had served the 55-year-old organization, leadership identified vulnerabilities and operational inefficiencies that this East Portland hub could address. A primary labor and cost savings would come from reducing the number of site-to-site transport trucks needed. “We will be able to get rid of a diesel truck and use our electric vehicles to deliver to Gresham, MLK, and all the places on the east side,” explained Washington. “Right now, a big diesel truck, which costs us $8,000 a month, goes to 20 different sites. We can be better for the environment and get rid of it.” The organization received a PGE Drive Change Fund grant for a second EV to replace a diesel medium-duty delivery truck with an electric delivery truck and to install charging infrastructure.

A warehouse filled with stacked pallets of boxed items wrapped in plastic, organized on shelving units with colorful labels.

Another key concept in building along 82nd Avenue is based on maintaining operations when a disaster or weather prevents cross-town traffic. “The goal was to get a hub for emergencies on this side of the river. Our central kitchen right now is in Multnomah Village, and that’s where we make every meal fresh daily. We cook, flash-freeze, and then package anywhere from 6,500 to 8,000 meals a day. All the home deliveries are frozen [with volunteers] dropping them off for a whole week.” In the event of road network disruption, demand for food from program participants increases, and the ability to continue operations will be a critical lifeline for elderly people trapped at home. The kitchen at this new site will primarily serve people walking in for meals, but it has the capacity to prepare 2,000 meals a day in times of emergencies. It also has substantial freezer space for storing food. “The warehouse freezer right now has 45,000 frozen meals in it,” said Washington. They circulate the stockpile every day to deliveries in East Portland, but keep a reserve for emergencies. They also keep another 20,000 shelf-stable meals that can further bolster food delivery capabilities in situations where not everyone may have access to power to store and cook deliveries. The building is served by dual-fuel generators to keep the facility operational even if the power grid is down, and contractors will install solar panels on the roof, further ensuring the building remains powered and reduces its daily dependence on utility power.

Modern restaurant exterior featuring a bright yellow roof and outdoor seating area with plants, surrounded by greenery and people walking by.
Rendering of expanded building on SE 82nd Avenue courtesy Meals on Wheels People
Construction site of a building with a partially completed structure, featuring metal framing and wooden scaffolding. A mural is visible on one side of the building, and the site is enclosed by construction fencing.

Suzanne Washington and others led the drive to buy this property because the organization is relying on leased space east of the river, and making this level of investment in someone else’s property would not have been a good use of resources. Additionally, the current locations are too small for the storage needs provided by the 82nd Avenue building. However, this new space will not immediately replace any existing site as the nonprofit needs those locations to continue serving its primary function. “We’ll keep those sites because people can only go so far. We do two things. For older traditional adults, we do home-delivered meals, and then we do congregate dining, where, if they can, we get them out of their homes to eat with other people. It’s much better for their health,” Washington said. “We still want to provide that service where they can come in and eat.”

Construction site featuring a partially completed structure with wooden framing and metal beams under a cloudy sky.

Similar to other locations, the SE 82nd Avenue building is designed to bring people in to eat, but with more flexible hours and the ability to order something prepared to the individual’s tastes. “When somebody comes in for a meal here, first of all, they can come in at 8 o’clock and get a breakfast burrito; it doesn’t have to be lunch. They can eat at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, they order at the counter, and then we’ll bring it to them,” remarked Washington. “So we can serve the diversity of folks out here with their ethnic cultural needs and not your traditional lunch where you get one of two choices, and that’s it, because we control this space.” She describes it as similar to a Chipotle restaurant, where a person can customize flavors and mix and match base ingredients, all prepared fresh on site.

A modern classroom with a glass wall, showing a technology workshop in progress. Participants sit at tables with laptops, while a presenter stands in front of a screen displaying 'Technology Tips for Seniors'. Several older adults are engaged in the lesson, with some listening attentively and others interacting. In the foreground, two seniors are seated at a table, enjoying beverages.
Rendering of tech hub courtesy Meals on Wheels People

Guests can stop in at this location on their schedule, but they must become program participants and are limited to one meal per day. “It’s not meant to open to the street, especially right on this street,” said Washington. “We had a place downtown that we closed because most of the older people wouldn’t come because we had so many homeless folks.” Meals on Wheels People’s primary mission is serving older adults 60 and over. Washington explained that about 30 percent of the organization’s funding comes from the federal government through the 1965 Older Americans Act. “That comes with requirements like we have to have certain dietary guidelines and we have to ask for donations [from recipients], but there’s no coercion for that donation.”

A storage area showcasing multiple shelves filled with colorful bags featuring palm tree designs, alongside stacked black crates.

Although serving older adults is what most people associate with the Meals on Wheels brand, through other funding systems, they also help alleviate food insecurity among youth and their families. The Meals 4 Kids program serves families with at least one child under 18. “Last year, we served over 275 people within those families. We provided more than 300,000 meals,” said Washington. In this program, families receive frozen meals with supplemental foods like bread, milk, and fruit, or they can get the raw ingredients and cook them themselves. The program is based out of the SE 82nd Avenue facility and primarily serves East Portland residents. “The great thing about that program is that over 70% get the raw food and then they’re home with kids cooking, doing homework, that kind of thing. Not trying to haul somebody around on the bus or trying to figure out how to make a meal out of a school backpack,” remarked Washington. They have other dietary assistance initiatives, including one that delivers medically tailored grocery boxes to pregnant and newly lactating women.

A modern communal dining area with various people socializing, including an elderly man reading a newspaper, a woman with a child, and a server wearing an apron. The space features wooden accents and plants, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Rendering of dining area courtesy Meals on Wheels People
Interior view of an under-construction room showing exposed beams, framed walls, and construction materials scattered on the floor.

Food is at this organization’s core, but this new location will help Meals on Wheels People further expand services beyond feeding people by offering a tech hub and community space within an environment where people can eat healthily alongside their peers and stay to discover other opportunities and services to enrich their lives. This project represents a significant milestone for Meals on Wheels People. Suzanne Washington has spent over a decade strengthening the organization. “They didn’t have enough money when I started. They were always in the hole. I focused on three things while I’ve been here. To do the best service possible to those we serve, we’ve got to support our staff the best way possible. To do that, we need resources, money. So by focusing on those three things, [service, staff, and resources], we’ve gotten more efficient, where we can put more money into the quality of our food and the type of food. We support our staff, I think, much more than we did when I got here for benefits, wages, just everyday support,” said Washington. She believes the new property allows the organization to significantly update its operational infrastructure, ultimately saving on recurring costs by lowering transportation expenses and better utilizing people’s time.

Halbert Construction Services will continue working on the project through November. Several delays with permitting and supply-chain disruptions have already pushed back the completion date, but Meals on Wheels People anticipates completion this Fall season.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Correction: Fixed a typo in Eastport Plaza’s name that misidentified it.

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Entertainment, Food and Drink, New Business

Secret Sauna is Social in Montavilla

Article and photos originally published in Bridgetown Bites by

Meg Cotner

Secret Sauna: The name is intriguing right off the bat. So what is it? It’s literally a sauna parked on the patio behind Montavilla’s Replicant Wine Bar (shared by Mudd Works Cafe in the mornings). It offers a place to relax, enjoy some drinks and food, sit around the fire pit, and have a sauna. And as of today, it is officially open.

I met with Sarah Mayo, the owner of the Secret Sauna, to learn more about the sauna and its connection to the businesses that are hosting it.

Sign indicating patio hours, stating 'Patio closes at 9 pm!' above a cardboard poster announcing 'Coming Soon... secret sauna' with an Instagram handle.
It’s a sign (Meg Cotner – Bridgetown Bites)

Secret Sauna Overview

I’ll also add that this interview was a first for Bridgetown Bites: The majority of it took place in the sauna itself, wood fire happily burning in its stove. And yes, it was very relaxing.

Interior of a wooden sauna featuring a black stove with rocks and an open flame, surrounded by wooden benches.
Sauna, rocks, fire, and window inside the Secret Sauna (Meg Cotner – Bridgetown Bites)

It’s a barrel-style sauna structure—but not perfectly round like most barrel saunas are. Think of it as a square with rounded corners. That means straighter sides, giving more space inside the sauna, adding to the comfort level. It is made of cedar wood, and produced by AC Forest Saunas in BC, Canada.

The sauna itself is warmed by a wood fire rather than by infrared technology. There is a bucket with water that you can use to ladle over the hot igneous rocks (the best kind of rocks for a sauna) to create steam.

There is room for about a dozen people inside the sauna (more, if people want to be closer to each other). There will be an area for cold showers (an easier setup than a cold plunge, while still providing contrast therapy), and there is also an outbuilding that holds four dressing rooms, a stack of rental towels and sandals, and a check-in desk.

Connection to Replicant and Mudd Works

I was curious to know what Sarah’s connection was to the Replicant/Mudd Works space. She’s a neighbor and a fan.

Interior view of a cozy cafe featuring a wooden bar with black stools, colorful artwork on the walls, plants, and warm lighting.
Replicant Wine Bar and Mudd Works Cafe space (Meg Cotner – Bridgetown Bites)

“So I live in Montavilla and this is my favorite spot to just come and have a glass of wine,” she explained. “And I love the patio—I was here all summer last year. And there’s these big trees behind that I think are so unique for this space. We’re behind the building, have a little bit of privacy, and then these trees are just so great.”

Tall evergreen tree with dense green foliage viewed from below against a cloudy sky.
The tops of the trees by the Secret Sauna (Meg Cotner – Bridgetown Bites)

Sara’s Previous Work

Before she got into the sauna business, she worked in investor relations for commercial real estate investment companies. “I was doing that full-time in-house for a few different companies up until 2023,” she explained. “At that time, it was venture capital instead of commercial real estate, but still in the investor relations field.”

She also worked with startups and did consulting for smaller companies in this same field for a couple years. But at one point, something changed.

“My values had been shifting a lot,” she explained. “And once I was not working on [investor] projects anymore and thinking more about what I was actually doing, I realized that it was making rich people richer.” It’s safe to say that she craved doing something that supported community rather than participating in something she considered to be destructive.

The Start of the Secret Sauna

So how did the Secret Sauna come to be? It began with COVID. “So this whole thing started in October,” Sarah said. “I had COVID twice back to back, and I was sitting at home for eight weeks, basically losing my mind. I knitted a hat, and then I’m like, ‘What do I do now?’”

The Sauna Business, and a Partnership

“I was looking for something new to do anyway, and I kind of always had this idea to do a sauna business—but I hadn’t seriously explored it,” said Sarah. While she was stuck at home with COVID she started building a financial model for the potential business, along with creating a business plan. “And then I thought, ‘This could actually work!’” she exclaimed.

As soon as she got a negative COVID test, she messaged the Instagram account for Replicant Wine Bar, which was her number one choice of location for the sauna.

“And so I messaged the Instagram account,” explained Sarah. “Mila [short for Gianpiero Milani, the owner of Replicant—and yes, it’s a “Blade Runner” reference] answered within five minutes. We didn’t know each other—he had probably seen me here, but we hadn’t met each other. I showed the idea to him and he said ‘That sounds really cool. And can you come in to talk?’” She came in the next day, and the rest is history.

She appreciates how collaborative he is and how he caught on to her vision so easily. “I didn’t even have to explain a whole lot about the idea,” she said. “He could just like see it, and was getting excited about it, too. He thought this was a great way to use the space.”

When Marco at Mudd Works heard about, he, too, was excited about it and wanted to support the project.

What Type of Sauna Is the Secret Sauna?

I wondered if she was going to encourage any specific type of sauna culture—the two that came to mind immediately were Finnish and Russian. She replied, “It’s a PNW-type of sauna, but I think that I’m kind of trying to emulate the Finnish style. I don’t have Finnish roots, so I’m not trying to like culturally appropriate it or anything. But I think that’s the style that a lot of people are familiar with.”

A wooden barrel sauna with a rounded roof, featuring a main door with circular windows, wooden benches on either side, and an orange bucket for supplies placed nearby.
Sauna room (Meg Cotner – Bridgetown Bites)

The Secret Sauna Is Social

Sarah says she wants to create a sauna atmosphere that is social, a way for guests to connect. “The vibe that I really want to go for is making this more of a social experience,” she explained. “Not like at other saunas that I’ve been to, where you’re kind of sitting silently, everyone’s quiet, and you’re almost afraid to make noise.”

She continued, “The sauna experiences that I’ve liked the most are where strangers are talking to each other and maybe even making friends and plans for later. And that was part of the vision—if I could be in an environment that is already somewhat social (like a bar and bonus coffee shop), then that was what I was going for when I was envisioning this.”

However, she may consider creating some designated quiet hours, “so people can self-direct into the type of experience they want,” she said.

Managing Your Secret Sauna Session: Inside and Outside

During a sauna session, it usually involves breaks, which could be a cold plunge or simply sitting outside to cool down. Sarah has a number of chairs nearby to sit in, and there is a fire pit to sit around where you can also be social.

Outdoor seating area with orange wire chairs arranged around a black fire pit, surrounded by a wood stack and trees.
Fire pit outside sauna room (Meg Cotner – Bridgetown Bites)

At this point in your sauna experience, you can enjoy a beverage—whether that’s a drink from Replicant or coffee from Mudd Works, or drinks (herbal tea, lemon water, electrolyte drink) that Sarah will provide.

They will also install some showers just to the south of the sauna structure. They want them to be heated as well as having cold water for contrast therapy.

So why a cold shower and not a cold plunge? It’s a practical choice. “Cold plunges in Portland are kind of hard to do ,” Sarah explained. “They’re classified as pools, so then you’re required to have all of the same level of filtration and circulation that a pool has.” This was more involved than her resources could handle. So instead of a cold plunge, you can do a cold shower if you want to. I’ve had this experience at other saunas, and it has been satisfying.

How To Dress in the Secret Sauna

A visit to the sauna during public hours will require you to be clothed (like in a swimsuit or athletic clothes—but not street clothes) but any private events can be clothing-optional. You’ll just need to wrap yourself in a towel when you step outside from the sauna. Next door to Replicant/Mudd Works/Secret Sauna is an auto shop, and there are private homes nearby.

A wooden structure with a rounded door featuring three circular windows, accompanied by an orange bucket labeled 'MORE DOING: FILL CHECK REPEAT' filled with sticks.
The sauna, seating, and the patio seating for Replicant/Mudd Works (Meg Cotner – Bridgetown Bites)

Additionally, this is a shared space among folks who are eating and drinking things from Replicant and Mudd Works who are not planning to sauna. There is no hard separation between the patio seating area for the two businesses and the sauna side, apart from the big sauna structure itself. That means anyone can stop by over near the sauna and use that seating. “We’re not keeping anything strictly segregated at all,” said Sarah.

Drinking and Eating Inside the Sauna

At this point here will be no food or drinks inside the sauna for a variety of reasons—of course there’s the potential mess from liquids and comestibles, as well as the risky warming of some food; any kind of glass itself could get quite hot, too.

As a solution to help guests keep track of their drinks from the wine bar or cafe, is that there will be set of racks with cubbies for storage.

Collabs With Replicant and Mudd Works

I was curious to see if there were any future collaborations with Replicant and/or Mudd Works on drinks or food. “I would love to like collab on that with them,” said Sarah. “My focus has just been on getting open.” This is fair.

She’d like to talk with them more about ideas they have regarding collaborations. One idea she had was to create promotions—discounts on drinks. or a combo of a sauna sesson and a drink. She has not nailed down any specifics on that quite yet.

Winter vs. Summer

I was curious to learn if the Secret Sauna will be available all year, or just during the winter/colder seasons. Summers can be hot so perhaps a sauna is less appealing then. “My plan initially was that I’d be closed during the summer,” said Sarah. “And Mila wants the backyard space fully back during the summer, so I am committed to moving this on out during the summer.”

In case it wasn’t obvious, the sauna is on wheels.

“And this is a trial year, so we’re going to see how this goes and then see what people want. If I’m still super busy in May, then maybe I would look for another place to be during the summer. I’m just not sure exactly yet.”

Pricing

A social session is $40 for a 75 minute session and $270 for a private session. She is also considering a multi punch pass where it’s like cheaper per visit if you buy multiple sessions ahead of time. She is also considering memberships, but that idea needs to be hashed out a bit first.  

Sauna Hours

Right now, she’s planning on having the sauna available to reserve starting at noon with the final slot at 7:40pm. She may adjust that in the future—for instance, she’d like to be open in the mornings, but it requires having enough staff.

They had a little bit of a soft opening last week, and now the places is open for booking!

Also note that the sauna is for those age 18 and older only.

What Sets the Secret Sauna Apart

First, it’s heated via wood-fire rather than infrared. Sarah has strong feelings about infrared saunas. She points out that the two heating elements work in different ways, and she prefers the traditional heat source—wood fire warms your body in a way that is easy and familiar.

Infrared heat has been around a fraction of the time (decades) compared to traditional wood fire (thousands of years). “I don’t think that they have the amount of longitudinal research [for infrared saunas] that exists for traditional saunas,” she said.

That said, she acknowledges that people will gravitate towards the type of experience that they want to have—whether it’s the way a sauna is heated, or the level of social interaction in a particular sauna. “I think the biggest differentiator here is this social vibe that we’re trying to cultivate, and how you can have like a beer or a glass of wine.” Also note there are some food options (pastries, pizza) to enjoy along with beverages in the back by the sauna.

She wants the accoutrements to a Secret Sauna experience to be solid, as well. That’s the hot herbal tea, lemon water, and electrolyte drink; secure changing rooms; a dry floor, secure hooks on the wall, and a shelf or cubby for your things. “We’ve thought through all of those little details,” she added.

This also includes the availability of towels and shoes for rent, swimsuits for sale, in case you find yourself at Replicant/Mudd Works and realize there is a sauna in the back, but you didn’t prepare yourself ahead of time.

Additional Details

Right now she is open five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday. The sauna’s day off will include doing any cleaning that  needs to be done aside from what is done throughout the week, and a chance for Sarah to catch up on admin work and other projects for the sauna, too. And, to take a break.

You can book your sauna session on the Secret Sauna website.

This is a very interesting mix of sauna relaxation, access to food and drink, and an unconventional social opportunity, all in one place in the north section of the Montavilla neighborhood. Replicant/Mudd Works is cozy, the sauna is cozy, and it’s a nice place to hang out in.

Wishing Sarah all the best with the Secret Sauna!

Secret Sauna [opened January 29, 2026]
Behind Replicant Wine Bar and Mudd Works Cafe
7033 NE Glisan Street, Portland
Secret Sauna website | Instagram

Article and photos originally published in Bridgetown Bites by

Meg Cotner

This article originally published in Bridgetown Bites on January 29th, 2026. Montavilla News republished it with permission of the editor and author. All copyrights remain with the original publisher.

Meg Cotner lives in NE Portland and is the editor and publisher of the independent Portland food news website Bridgetown Bites. She is also an active editor and writer, and the author of “Food Lovers’ Guide to Queens” (2023, Globe Pequot Press)

Event, New Business

TESO Life Store Opening on SE Washington Jan 31st

TESO Life will open its first Portland location at 10548 SE Washington Street next Saturday, January 31st. The Asian household goods seller took over the 23,200-square-foot storefront left vacant by Big Lots four years ago at Plaza 205. The shopping complex is currently reinventing itself to serve people interested in items and flavors from across Asia. Shoppers will find a variety of imported products, claw machines, and collectables inside the Japanese department store. The TESO Life staff will welcome people as the company hosts a grand opening celebration over the weekend, ending on February 2nd.

Once open, the store will serve guests daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Headquartered in Queens, New York, TESO Life began in 2017 and has expanded across the country with dozens of shops and plans to open more storefronts in the coming years, doubling its footprint. The organization will open another Oregon location at 4005 SW 117th Avenue in Beaverton this May. The store has a significant social media following among fans and customers seeking Asian skincare, hair care, and makeup products, as well as hard-to-find snacks and drinks not often sold in the United States.

Interior view of a vibrant retail store aisle filled with colorful toys and merchandise, featuring shelves of various products and prominent signage in the background.

This location is next door to Portland’s first 99 Ranch Market, which opened to large crowds on August 16th, 2025. Based on other locations’ opening days, attendees looking to check out the SE Washington Street TESO Life on January 31st should anticipate lines similar to those at its neighboring grocery store’s grand opening. The event organizers will offer free items with purchase during the opening weekend, further incentivizing large attendance. People can visit the company’s Instagram page for more details.

Article and phots 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.

Food and Drink, New Business

Chick-fil-A Opens on SE Stark Street

On January 22nd, Portland’s first free-standing Chick-fil-A restaurant opened in the Gateway district across from Mall 205. The store is unique in several ways from the other locations in the outer Portland area. It has a larger kitchen than most stores, a kids’ play area less often included in new facilities, and no drive-through window. Instead of hosting lines of cars, the fast food destination will serve guests with a digitized version of a drive-in model, allowing customers to park and order via a mobile app, with meals brought to the vehicle. First-time franchise operator Austin Morrow has worked toward this moment since age sixteen, learning all he can about building an inclusive, family-oriented establishment.

Indoor playground structure featuring climbing features, slides, and hanging rings, in a brightly lit room.
Kids’ play area

For the last 12 years, Morrow has dedicated his career to Chick-fil-A, with the last four spent in the Leadership Development program. That helped in the competitive process to become an operator. In this franchise model, the company owns the restaurant building and equipment, but operators control the local business. “I have 100% flexibility. I rent the space from Chick-fil-A, but I am an independent business owner, and all the staff work in my organization here. I have direct influence on how I give back to the community, how I serve my team, and how I can offer opportunities for my team,” explained Morrow.

A smiling man in a blazer stands beside a large Chick-fil-A sign with a welcoming message, surrounded by colorful balloons and decorations.
Franchise operator Austin Morrow

Morrow moved to the area last September, but had visited before when considering the opportunity. “When I was looking at coming to Portland, I went down [to the Clackamas location] and met with Brian Davis, the operator there. Just like me, he’s from the south, and he moved his family up here,” said Morrow. What he found was that most people did not have direct experience with the company on the West Coast, which allowed operators to shape the experience in a meaningful way. “In the south, Chick-fil-A is everywhere, so to be able to come to a community where it might be that first bite… there’s something special about when you’re sharing that first impression.”

A tidy dining area featuring wooden tables and metal chairs with black seat cushions, decorated with vases of roses at each table. Bright natural light streams in through large windows, providing a welcoming atmosphere.

Unlike the auto-focused Clackamas store, this location will need to serve customers arriving in a variety of ways. “I think we’re going to be pretty foot traffic heavy,” said Morrow. “We have a lot of people who walk or use public transportation. Even my team members live really local in the community and walk here to work, so I think we will be a high foot traffic area.” Additionally, the city’s building code did not allow them to build a standard fast-food restaurant targeting people in vehicles. The Portland City Council voted in 2018 to prohibit new drive-through construction within commercial zones. Although this project is a near-complete renovation of an existing building, the structure never included a drive-through service window, which prevents it from qualifying for a prior-existence exemption. This project dates back to May 2022, when the national fast food chain explored development at 9950 SE Stark Street, opting to renovate the original structure to maintain its nonconforming use of the existing site for food service. The 1984-era structure previously hosted Rax Roast Beef, Tony Roma’s, and Hooters restaurants before converting to Mystic Gentlemen’s Club and later Venue Gentlemen’s Club.

Exterior view of a building entrance with a sign for 'Delivery Drivers' and curbside order markers.
Delivery Driver entrance and numbered parking stalls for app orders staff will bring to customer’s cars

Although they have improved pedestrian infrastructure around the property, the freeway-adjacent location will continue to attract motorists. Without the drive-through option, Morrow and his staff will be creative to meet customer demand. “We have 15 curbside spots where we’ll be offering a similar experience [to other locations] where you don’t have to get out of the car, and we’ll bring the food to you,” said Austin Morrow. “They can order ahead of time, or they could park and then order in the parking spot.” The dedicated and numbered stalls are at the northwest corner of the parking lot, adjacent to the delivery driver entrance. People working with DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub have a dedicated, inside, welcoming space to pick up orders. Delivery apps can make up 10 to 30% of a day’s orders, and having the separated space helps get them on the road faster without imposing on customers in line.

Interior of a fast-food restaurant kitchen featuring a checkout counter with a payment terminal, promotional signage for free beverages, and organized shelves with kitchen equipment.
Delivery Driver pickup counter

Morrow said that customer experience is paramount to his efforts in Portland, but he also wants to support the nearly 100 employees joining his team. “My mission is to exceed the expectations of my guests and my team members. I want to be a premier employer for the team that’s working here, explained Morrow. At the base level, that is with a paycheck and a meal. “Sometimes we’ll have team members who come in and may not have food at home. This [shift] may be their only opportunity. So I want to make sure that they can have a hot meal for free that day.” Morrow said that he also wants to help his staff beyond their time at Chick-fil-A. “One thing I’m going to offer is I’m offering is a program where they can go to college. If you can work 30 hours a week, that will enable you to be able to go to college and hope for a better future. Because it’s not my hope that someone joins this organization and stays here for the rest of their life.”

Interior view of a restaurant featuring modern decor with wooden accents, red pendant lights, and tables set with small vases of roses.

In addition to staff support, the organization encourages locations to participate in the Chick-fil-A Shared Table program, donating leftover protein to groups feeding the community. Morrow selected the Highland Christian Center to receive unserved food items that are cooled and ready for storage for use in the church’s meal program at 7600 NE Glisan Street. With this program, community kitchens will receive unused chicken that can be incorporated into other dishes. So recipients will not get the traditional sandwiches and may not know where the protein came from, but the leftover food will go to good use, feeding people with limited access to food. This philosophy of sharing food started even before the doors opened. “We’ve been training here [ahead of opening] so we actually donated a thousand sandwiches within the community, and so we use that as an opportunity to train our team,” said Morrow.

Interior of a Chick-fil-A restaurant featuring a long table with red chairs and several gift bags with pink tissue paper lined up on top.

Morrow explained that he is committed to joining the community and improving the area around his store. “I want people to feel that local ownership aspect. We operate under a large brand that says Chick-fil-A, but I want people in the community to feel like this is a local organization.” He expressed how much he appreciates Portland’s cultural and intellectual diversity, noting that people have been far more welcoming than he anticipated. “It’s my hope that when you come into my restaurant, you’re going to see through my team members, all different backgrounds, all different walks of life. And it’s my hope that we can create a culture in our community that everyone is welcome in this restaurant,” said Morrow. Starting today, the Chick-fil-A Mall 205 location will open from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday. They anticipate significant demand during the first few days and recommend people consider parking in the Mall 205 parking lot and crossing SE Washington Street if the main parking lot is full.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Greg Beddor – SEO Specialist, an Oregon based digital marketing consultancy. The company markets customer’s websites and provide SEO services to grow their business. We thank them for their support.

Infrastructure, New Business, View of Montavilla

New Pedestrian Infrastructure Opens Around Chick-fil-A

As Portland’s first free-standing Chick-fil-A restaurant prepares to open in early 2026, pedestrians traveling around the Mall 205 area in the Gateway district gain access to wider sidewalks with street furniture offering places to rest. Recently, crews removed construction fencing around the new fast food destination at 9950 SE Stark Street, fully opening the area to street users.

Concrete seating pods and newly reconstructed sidewalk along SE 99th Avenue near the upcoming Chick-fil-A location in Portland, with trees and street furniture enhancing pedestrian accessibility.
Cluster of three round concrete seating on the southeast corner of SE 99th and Stark St

Construction work at this restaurant location began last April, triggering requirements for sidewalk and curb ramp reconstruction to meet modern standards for its Civic Main Street classification on the south and north sides of the site. Improvements to the 15-foot public right-of-way feature street trees planted between the curb and pedestrian through zone, offering a buffer between the fast-paced traffic on the SE Stark Street and Washington Street couplet. Chick-fil-A contractors installed round concrete seating pods along the property’s SE 99th Avenue frontage with a cluster of three on the southeast corner of SE 99th and Stark Street. A new traffic signal pole at the northeast corner of SE 99th and Washington Street features mounting points for future mast arms to support traffic lights, replacing the antiquated cable-hung hardware at the intersection. An additional mounting bracket at the top of the pole has a place for a new street light to further illuminate this high-volume crossing, while building-hung sconces add human-scale lighting.

Close-up of a traffic signal pole with mounting points for future traffic lights and a new street light, set against a blue sky.
Mounting points on a new traffic signal pole at the northeast corner of SE 99th and Washington St. for future mast arms to support traffic lights

The Portland building code mandated many pedestrian improvements along the three frontages of this 0.78-acre property. These upgrades serve the district as a whole as it becomes less car-centric. However, this restaurant’s patrons may depend on these updates, as there is expected to be higher foot traffic here than at other Chick-fil-A stores in the area. The Portland City Council voted in 2018 to prohibit new drive-through construction within commercial zones. Although this project is a near-complete renovation of an existing building, the structure never included a drive-through service window. This project dates back to May 2022, when the national fast food chain explored development at 9950 SE Stark Street, opting to renovate the original structure to maintain its nonconforming use of the existing site for food service. The 1984-era structure previously hosted Rax Roast Beef, Tony Roma’s, and Hooters restaurants before converting to Mystic Gentlemen’s Club and later Venue Gentlemen’s Club.

Exterior view of the new Chick-fil-A at Mall 205 showing large windows, modern lighting fixtures, and sidewalk planters.
SE 99th Avenue frontage with human-scale lighting and seating

Without a drive-through window, most motorists will need to park onsite and enter the establishment for service. Other Chick-fil-A locations have been known to create traffic jams at times as drivers queue for in-vehicle sales. At this new location, people may need to park at another location and walk over for service during peak times. To help speed up orders and clear the parking lot more quickly, operators will implement digital tools for customers. “We will be offering curbside delivery as an alternative,” wrote a store social media representative on Facebook. This will require more staff time but will allow customers to remain in their vehicles. Additionally, this restaurant features a dedicated delivery driver entrance so people can order via smartphone apps and have their food brought to them.

Exterior view of the new Chick-fil-A location at 9950 SE Stark Street in Portland, featuring signs for delivery drivers, a tree, and nearby street furniture.
Delivery driver entrance

Franchise operator for this location, Austin Morrow, has worked for Chick-fil-A since 2014. In this specific franchise model, the property, building, and equipment are owned by the corporation, with individuals competing to become the location’s operator. The “Chick-fil-A Mall 205” store will be Portland’s only location within city limits since the Lloyd Center food court location closed in 2003. Community members have mixed opinions on the opening. Some are excited for the renowned chicken sandwich provider to come in and revitalize a commercial corridor that has experienced a decline in previous decades. Others worry about the increased traffic near the Interstate 205 ramps caused by this new high-demand destination. Additional perspectives oppose the company as a whole because of the ownership’s support for organizations that oppose LGBTQ rights.

A new sidewalk and landscaping along SE Stark Street near the upcoming Chick-fil-A Mall 205, featuring newly planted trees and a clear pedestrian path.
New wider sidewalk on SE Washington St. with street trees

The operator of Chick-fil-A Mall 205 has yet to announce an official opening date, but indicated it will welcome guests soon. Regardless of the restaurant’s impact on the business district and community, the renovations of this former strip club have improved the public infrastructure on this half block. The corporate endorsement of the area could also incentivize other investments along the corridor, spurring redevelopment with infrastructure improvements and denser land use, fitting the Gateway District’s Central Commercial zoning that encourages city-center-sized projects.

Update January 18, 2026: The Chick-fil-A Mall 205 location will open from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday starting Thursday, January 22nd.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Greg Beddor – SEO Specialist, an Oregon based digital marketing consultancy. The company markets customer’s websites and provide SEO services to grow their business. We thank them for their support.

Food and Drink, New Business

Bookstore Joins Hungry Heart Bakery

On November 13th, Endless Wonders Books opened a sales corner at Hungry Heart Bakery, 414 SE 80th Avenue. The new integrated business relationship between the distinct companies adds operating hours to the storefront while offering a selection of titles featuring marginalized communities or written by authors identifying as members of underrepresented groups.

Owners Zo Nicole and Mags Burke created Endless Wonders Books as a mobile and online bookstore before meeting Hungry Heart’s owner, Jax Hart, at a pride pop-up event at the Jupiter Hotel. That introduction eventually led to the book seller’s first store location after a string of positive interactions, bringing them to the neighborhood. “We did the street fair circuit this summer, using it as an opportunity to meet different neighborhoods. We had a really good time at the Montavilla Street Fair and knew pretty quickly that we were ready to think about something more long-term, rather than going to new places every weekend,” recalled Burke. “We did a three-day pop-up here in [Hungry Heart], and it was really fun and felt good. So we asked Jax if we could have a longer-term conversation.”

Interior of Endless Wonders Books store featuring a wall of colorful books and greeting cards, with a large wooden table and chairs in front, and a bright window view.

Nicole describes themselves as a lifelong reader who grew tired of a tech career and used a layoff as the catalyst to pursue a dream of opening a bookstore that would surface works that include often overlooked or inaccurately represented communities. “I grew up never really seeing myself necessarily represented in literature, and I know that’s true for a lot of other people. I also believe that being able to read stories of folks that are from different backgrounds as yours can help build empathy and understanding.” explained Nicole. They felt uplifting those stories “severely underrepresented across traditionally published books” was critically needed in this current point in America’s social trajectory. Burke added that they “hope that having a bookstore with this focus will give people avenues to drive towards action, not just reading books and expanding their perspectives but also letting that impact them to take action in some ways.”

Although the titles selected by the booksellers are purpose-driven, they created a general-interest bookstore that carries many genres and serves a wide age range of readers. They have picture books for preliterate customers alongside titles written for middle graders, young adults, and adult readers. Visitors will find books shelved in a traditional manner that honors the content ahead of the community. “We don’t categorize by identity. We categorize by genre,” explained Burke. “Within a genre, multiple identities are represented because we believe that integration is how we actually exist in the world. We don’t have a black southern American versus a Nigerian section versus an AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) section.” The store staff can help customers find works by or including specific identities, but that is not how they anticipate customers will browse the bookstore’s catalog.

Bookshelves filled with various titles organized by genre, including New Releases, Memoir, Young Adult, Romance, and Fantasy, in a cozy bookstore setting at Hungry Heart Bakery.

The bookstore’s path to brick-and-mortar has progressed quickly, and the owners feel that they will one day expand into a dedicated space. However, the embedded store within the Hungry Heart Bakery feels like an ideal location to meet readers outside the digital world, allowing people to connect with others while exploring written works. “One thing I love about growing up and going to indie bookstores is grabbing a book off the shelf, finding a comfortable chair, and reading the first chapter or picking out a couple of poems from a poetry collection,” said Nicole. “Just seeing if you’re vibing with it or not.” The partners also envision the store as a place to help people find books to gift to readers who are not seeing the subjects they want elsewhere. “It’s one of the most fun moments if someone comes in saying, ‘my 15-year-old is bored with reading this and starting to get interested in that, can you help me pick out a book?'” said Burke. They will have hundreds of titles available on the shelf and even more available via the online store. The offer local delivery in a six-mile radius centered on SE 58th Avenue and Division Street.

Exterior view of Hungry Heart Bakery, featuring an open sign and 'Endless Wonders' bookstore displayed in the window, showcasing the combined retail space.

Endless Wonders Books has overlapping hours with Hungry Heart Bakery: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. In the morning, the bakery staff can assist customers who are looking to buy a book, a gift card, or other merchandise the bookstore sells. Zo Nicole starts work mid-day, recommending titles to shoppers and covering Hungry Heart’s sales counter. “The Hungry Hearts staff will be able to ring people up for their bookstore purchases in addition to their coffee and pastries, burritos, whatever else they’re getting. And then I’m coming in by noon every day. I’ll be here to help folks with book recommendations, ringing them up for any cards or prints, and I’m also keeping [Hungry Heart’s] coffee and pastry service going into the evening,” said Nicole.

Interior of Endless Wonders Books showing a brightly lit bookshelf filled with colorful book covers, a wooden table with metal chairs, and decorative plants.

This dual-occupation of the SE 80th Avenue storefront off the Montavilla SE Stark main street adds four hours to the popular Hungry Heart Bakery while bringing a bookstore back to the area. The owners encourage readers to stop in and browse the titles, and they will gladly speak with customers about expanding the selection to meet the literary needs of visitors. The shop strives to showcase the works of small publishers, and visitors are likely to find titles and voices not well represented in other bookstores.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Greg Beddor – SEO Specialist, an Oregon based digital marketing consultancy. The company markets customer’s websites and provide SEO services to grow their business. We thank them for their support.

New Business

Blackfang Tattoos and More on SE Stark

A new tattoo shop and retail storefront will open at 7925 SE Stark Street in the former Maintain Yourself PDX space on the historic downtown Montavilla main street. Blackfang Tattoos and More will have space for five resident tattoo artists, along with an all-ages storefront featuring works by local artists, stickers, clothing, plants, and jewelry.

Owners Alyssa Black and Gerrit Smith live blocks away from their new shop and have strong ties to the neighborhood. Smith previously worked from a tattoo shop located in the back of Pinky PDX on NW 23rd Avenue. However, he trained to become a tattoo artist in Montavilla at the now-closed Forbidden School of Body Art, whose storefront is currently home to Sanctuary Tattoo and Piercing. With their growing family living in the neighborhood and the couple’s history in the community, opening a shop on SE Stark Street became an attainable dream, materializing at just the right time for Smith, who was considering a change. “It is something we talked about for years, but then we bought the house in Montavilla, and I had always said if I ever opened a shop, I’d want to be in Montavilla because I just love this area,” recalled Smith. “Then we walked by and saw this place that looks pretty cool.” The couple initially assumed it would be too expensive, but the landlord worked with them to make it happen. “Very serendipitous, I think,” said Black. “The stars aligning and something opening up six blocks from our house at the right time.”

Entrance of Blackfang Tattoos and More shop showcasing large lettering on a glass window, with a brick facade and address number 7925 visible.

Smith inks under the name Happy Fangs Tattoo, but did not want the new shop to only reference his work because up to four other artists will rent rooms in the space for their tattooing businesses. In choosing a title for the space, they used a concatenation of Alyssa Black’s last name and Smith’s business name. “I’ve done art under the name Happy Fangs for 15 years, so it’s just something we always talked about if we opened the shop, we would combine the two and call it Blackfang,” explained Smith. “Just as a happenstance, if you think about the image of a black fang, it looks like a tattoo needle,” added Black. Currently, two other tattoo artists have rented space in the new shop: Zoe Cox (@zmctattoo) and Collin Horner (@bonedoctor.tattoo).

The storefront portion of the business will need to wait until early 2026, with the storefront mostly open during appointments. However, they want people to feel comfortable coming and interacting with the space. Smith says they intend to line the hallway walls with works by local artists in a gallery format. Additionally, Smith positioned his studio and chair in the shop’s front window so that passersby can see the work underway, provided they draw back the privacy curtain. Making tattoos approachable is essential to the way Smith practices his craft, influencing the need to have a shop attached to the business. “I think that’s one reason why we want to have the retail spot. We want it to feel non-intimidating. We want it to feel comfortable to walk in,” explained Smith. “That’s one thing I learned about working at Pinky in the back of the retail space. There are so many people who I did their first tattoo ever because they came into a retail shop, and said, ‘Oh, wow, tattoos. I’ve always wanted to get one, but I’ve been intimidated to walk into a shop, and here I am standing in one.’ And they get tattooed. So I just wanted to create that kind of level of comfort walking in the door.” When the retail space is ready, they anticipate opening Wednesday through Sunday. Until then, they will open the doors while clients are on site for prescheduled appointments.

Exterior view of the Blackfang tattoo shop with large window signage displaying the name 'BLACKFANG', located on SE Stark Street.

Black and Smith have several ideas on how they will keep the storefront active, even when the tattoo chair is empty. “We also want to do events here. We want to have art shows, possibly music shows. Just different things,” said Smith. They also plan to offer temporary tattoos for kids or anyone looking to try out the look without the commitment. They expect that service to be in high demand during next year’s street fair.

Eventually, the shop will support walk-in customers for tattoos, which will occur sporadically until they establish regular hours. The owners recommend that customers schedule sessions with individual artists working from the space via their Instagram links. Smith’s work (@happyfangstattoo) covers most styles of tattoo, but he prefers botanical themes in black ink. “Mostly black work, but I like doing color. My favorite thing to do is my own version of floral. If people ask me for a specific flower, I’ll do it, but my favorite thing is to make up a flower. Flowers are so endlessly different and crazy that you can kind of do anything and it looks like a natural flower, no matter how wild you get with it,” explained Smith.

People walking along SE Stark Street should start to see increasing activity in the storefront leading up to a grand opening event. Black and Smith recommend following the shop’s Instagram account, @blackfangpdx, for updates on the event and retail opening, with a company website launching closer to the new year.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Build & Paint Portland, a trusted Portland house painting and carpentry company dedicated to renewing and improving homes in Portland. Many neighborhood homes have used this local company to refresh and brighten their homes, and they want to take special care of area residents. We thank them for their support.

New Business, Services

Holy Moly Salon on SE Stark

On November 1st, Holy Moly Salon and Gallery opened at 7819 SE Stark Street in the former Harashay storefront with four stations and a back wall dedicated to showcasing local artists. The owners designed the newly renovated space to offer an “elevated experience” that is approachable to area residents and serves the full spectrum of haircare desires for all people.

Interior view of Holy Moly Salon and Gallery, showcasing a cozy seating area with wooden chairs and a round table, surrounded by plants and natural light from a large window.

Owners Jamie Roy and Rachel Jones had worked together at Fringe and Friends prior to the pandemic, remaining friends as Jones went on to create Grace Harry Salon. “We continued to cut each other’s hair and go to continuing education classes together,” recalled Roy. “We always thought about hair the same way, passionate in the same way, and have the same ethos for what a salon should be.” Jones discovered the storefront on Montavilla’s historic main street and brought in Roy to transition into this space. The speed at which they approached the new partnership is summed up in its whimsical name. “It’s just fun and reflects how we feel because we didn’t have any plan of opening a salon together. Within days of seeing this place, we just signed the lease. So it’s like holy moly, what’s happening?” explained Jones.

Two women smiling while sitting at a wooden counter in a salon, with a lamp and a flower arrangement in the foreground.
Salon owners Rachel Jones and Jamie Roy

They appreciated that the previous tenant of the space used it for haircare as well because it required less work to reconfigure the shop than if they had to transform it from an incompatible business. However, they discovered it would require plumbing updates and some electrical work. Overall, they are pleased with the reduced amount of basic work the older building required, allowing them to focus on filling the ample floor space. They soon discovered that instead of needing to be creative to make the space seem less cramped, they would instead need to think on a larger scale. “With the big space, we would put furniture in here, and then it would look tiny compared to the space. A couple of bookshelves we got were half the size at first, and we said, ‘Well, that looks wild.’ So we had to get bigger bookshelves,” remarked Roy. Fortunately, the ordered Minerva styling chairs and other finishes filled in the space well, with the capacity to expand the number of stations as stylists join Holy Moly Salon.

Interior of Holy Moly Salon featuring two styling chairs and a shampoo station with products on display.

The partners chose many furnishings they had appreciated from their combined decades of experience in the industry, but decided to have a custom-built front counter. The upsized shelves around that counter offer products from local makers along with purchasable supplies of the hair products the shop uses in their services. “We put a lot of thought into the products that we chose,” Roy said. They primarily offer products by Innersense Beauty, Cult + King, Lulu Organics, and Afterworld Organics. They focus on smaller brands because they feel those producers bring more practical experience into their lines. “A lot of the smaller brands come from hairstylists who are not finding products that they like, so they create products in small, cool little brands that do everything right,” said Jones. Sustainability in product lines is also important, with some options utilizing refillable containers. For those that do not offer refills, Holy Moly has joined Green Circle Salons, a network of shops working to recycle most of the materials used, including traditionally unrecoverable and hard-to-recycle items such as hair clippings, foils, excess hair color, aerosol cans, and color tubes.

A wooden counter with various hair products displayed on shelves above, set in an arched alcove.
Hair color station

Environmental impact and neighborhood integration are core concerns for the partners. “Community was a big part of what we talked about when opening a salon,” recalled Roy. They envisioned the location being more active than just serving the salon customer base. This perspective included integrating event space uses and art shows. The “Salon and Gallery” in Holy Moly’s name is intentionally balanced to include the owner’s vision for the salon’s place in Montavilla. “The gallery wall is designated in the back. Right now, we have an artist, Sara Murphy, who has these ceramic altars,” explained Jones. “I’ve brought on a friend who’s curating the space. We’re still trying to dial in how often, but every two to three months, we’ll have an art opening potentially.” The salon does not currently offer walk-in services, but they encourage visitors to come in to schedule an appointment, browse their retail offerings, or view the artwork on display.

Wall display featuring a variety of colorful candle holders showcasing art pieces with lit LED candles.
Art display of ceramic altars by Sara Murphy

Both Roy and Jones are excited to join the active business district on SE Stark Street and will work with local customers to meet their salon needs at a rate they can afford. Holy Moly Salon and Gallery is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but hours may shift based on appointment schedules. They are looking to bring in two or three more stylists in the near future. Each person working from this salon will set their own pricing and availability, with the potential for walk-in services in the future. Stylists post their booking schedules and rates online at holymolysalon.com, and customers can call (503) 964-5244 during business hours to schedule over the phone.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Check out East Portland News as it continues to advocate for and report on outer East Portland. You will find frequently updated articles and an archive of more than 5,000 stories written over the past 20+ years alongside a robust Community Calendar of events.

New Business, Property Sale, Renovation

Tool Building Grows NE Glisan Main Street

Painters recently covered the former O’Neills Tools & Equipment building at 7131 NE Glisan Street with a fresh coat of white paint as the new owners begin transforming the large corner building into a multi-tenant retail destination serving the community. The formerly barred and gated property now presents board-covered openings, as crews prepare it for storefront glazing, which will accommodate six to eight individual shops and a potential eatery.

Architectural rendering of the transformed former O'Neills Tools & Equipment building, featuring a white exterior and board-covered openings, designed for multiple retail spaces and potential eateries.
NE Glisan Ave frontage of 7131 NE Glisan St, rendering courtesy EAO

Bill Neburka, Anthony Kell, and Michael Quinn formed the “BAM Collective” to shepherd this project from development through tenancy, with a long-term outlook centered on generational ownership and community investment. Project architect Bill Neburka owns Evident Architecture Office (EAO) located in a commercial building two blocks east at 7323 NE Glisan Street, and the other partners similarly invested in area properties. Quinn is the primary owner of Sparrow Salon’s building at 7243 NE Glisan Street. Anthony Kell explained that the group wants to preserve the charm of NE Glisan Street while rebuilding a commercial corridor for local Portlanders. “Our goal is to offer retail that will support the community and the neighborhood, making sure it [contains shops] that people can walk to and would be looking for. We’ll hopefully be homogeneous with the area. We’re not tearing it down and making this new ugly retail plus residential building. We’re going to be fairly picky about who we put in there and make sure that it is something that will support the community, so they don’t have to walk all the way over to Stark Street.”

A floor plan diagram for the transformation of a building into a multi-tenant retail space, detailing various suites and exterior work areas.
Floor plan courtesy Evident Architecture Office (EAO)

Kell noted that business owners are already investing in restaurants, bars, and shops along the street, and he hopes that they will add to that momentum with space for more independent businesses. “It’s going to be micro-tenanting, smaller spaces for retail, and then possibly a wine bar and or restaurant,” said Kell. The remodeled building will offer spaces with exterior entrances on NE Glisan Street or NE 72nd Avenue, as well as some units that visitors can access from a shared central hallway. The designers have completed the subdivision plans; however, future business operators can work with the team to explore options. “We have a pretty good plan [for the layout], but there will be the ability for somebody to take two spaces or split one in half. We’ve got to demise in a way that is flexible for potential tenants,” explained Kell. The corner location adds a variety of arrangement options, including frontages on the quieter side of the structure. “There will be an entrance toward the back. That’s where the restaurant would most likely be, rear-accessed behind the building, so it’s kind of tucked away,” Kell said.

Architectural rendering of the transformed O'Neills Tools & Equipment building, featuring a modern facade with large windows, trees in front, and a pedestrian walking by.
NE 72nd Ave frontage of 7131 NE Glisan St showing restaurant, rendering courtesy EAO

Anthony Kell explained that the September code amendment recommendations, approved unanimously by the Portland City Council, could help this project move forward faster. The vote temporarily suspends specific rules that apply to projects that add to or alter existing development. The four changes reduce the need to add particular street improvements, such as sidewalks, curb ramps, and street trees, when the project exceeds a specific dollar amount. It also removes the requirement for a seismic evaluation report. The temporary exemptions will only apply to building permits that are currently in the permit or inspection process. This group of updates, effective starting October 24th, is a short-term construction stimulus package designed to expedite the completion of existing projects. Kell feels that this will help them create a better rehabilitation of the building without worrying about cutting costs to avoid triggering those improvement requirements that could halt the project due to excessive expenses.

Street view of a corner building labeled 'O'Neills Tools & Equipment' with graffiti on the walls, a stop sign, and utility poles nearby.
O’Neills Tools & Equipment building pre-sale, January 2025

The BAM Collective team expects they are six months away from opening the space for tenants to move into what they have tentatively named the “Tool Building,” in reference to O’Neill’s Tools’ long-standing tenancy there. People may see a short-term renter using the space until construction picks up. Kell explained that the group is interested in keeping the building in their family and ensuring it is first a community asset, rather than a personal investment tool. “We’re kind of old school Portlanders that want to do things the way that they used to be done. People coming in that are creatives and makers.” The building’s new owners anticipate the project will take shape in 2026, and the developers are eager to find the right tenants soon.

Rendering of a newly renovated building featuring storefronts with large windows, two individuals walking and standing outside, and a tree in the foreground.
Rendering of NE Glisan frontage of 7131 NE Glisan St showing shared entry to center hallway, rendering courtesy EAO
Architectural rendering of a courtyard with a tree and a person standing in front of a large opening leading into an interior space, showcasing wooden tables and pendant lighting.
Interior concept rendering of a multi-tenant retail space featuring wooden tables, hanging lights, and an open layout with shelves along the walls.
Interior view of a brightly lit space featuring wooden furniture and shelves, designed for a retail or dining environment.

Renderings courtesy BAM Collective and Evident Architecture Office (EAO)

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Check out East Portland News as it continues to advocate for and report on outer East Portland. You will find frequently updated articles and an archive of more than 5,000 stories written over the past 20+ years alongside a robust Community Calendar of events.

Food and Drink, New Business

Essa Bakery Middle Eastern Desserts

Essa Bakery opened in August within the former Stop By Bakery & Deli space at 8243 SE Division Street. The new bakery’s owner, Essa Abdulsahib, is friends with the previous business owner and learned that the space was available after Stop By Bakery relocated to Beaverton. Abdulsahib is a lifelong baker who brought his father’s traditional recipes and techniques from Iraq to his new home in Portland. The sweet shop specializes in baklava, but also offers a diverse selection of other Middle Eastern desserts, with an expanding menu of options.

Caixa de baklava em destaque na frente, com várias peças de baklava em um tabuleiro ao fundo.
Photo courtesy Essa Bakery

In early 2025, people began noticing a “coming soon” banner hanging in front of Stop By Bakery & Deli’s door, with window advertisements promoting the new shop’s name. However, the storefront on SE Stark Street remained closed for several months, awaiting an official opening date. Nabaa Altaie, Essa Abdulsahib’s nephew, who manages the store’s social media and oversees the shop, explained that sourcing issues with specialized equipment caused the delayed launch of Essa Bakery. Altaie said his uncle had purchased most of his baking equipment from Turkey, and they discovered damaged components during the installation. “Parts kept breaking and we had to fix that,” recalled Altaie. Replacement part shipping times kept pushing back the opening date, but the commercial kitchen equipment was critical to preserving Abdulsahib’s baking methods.

Exterior view of the Stop By Bakery & Deli storefront featuring a 'Coming Soon' banner and advertisements for baklava and other Middle Eastern desserts.
Essa Bakery opened in the former Stop By Bakery & Deli storefront (Jacob Loeb)

Quality and variety are essential to Essa Bakery’s owner and head baker. “We make everything fresh in the back of the store with our equipment. We also are expanding our menu. We’re adding, basically, every Middle Eastern dessert you can think of in the future,” said Altaie. He also noted the shop is working on adding Dubai Chocolate bars filled with kadayif and a pistachio-tahini cream. “We use pistachios from California farms, so they’re fresh. We use Bolivian chocolate, which is the best chocolate you can get, on top. It’s a really popular trend,” said Altaie.

A beautifully arranged box of assorted Middle Eastern sweets, featuring baklava, rose-shaped pastries, colorful cookies, and chocolate-covered treats, displayed in a stylish tin with decorative designs.
Photo courtesy Essa Bakery

Currently, Essa Bakery relies on support from the owner’s relatives to operate. Altaie explained that his uncle is so busy baking that they are having trouble finding time to create a new website, so instead, they focus on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. “It’s only family at the moment. Maybe we’ll need help when we expand it,” said Altaie. They are also looking to offer coffee and other bakery items. “We’re also trying to make bread in the near future,” remarked Altaie. The shop already offers savory options, incorporating meats and cheeses into some of their pastries. However, they remain invested in keeping their baklava the featured product at Essa Bakery.

A close-up of stacked pieces of baklava topped with crushed pistachios, showcasing its flaky layers and golden color.
Photo courtesy Essa Bakery

Altaie said they are slowly earning loyal customers, and offering free tastes of their products is often all it takes to win people over. “When they come, they keep coming back because of how good it tastes. They say that the baklava is up to par with what they would have in good, expensive restaurants.” He also explained that they focus on meeting people’s budgets while still committed to quality baking practices. “We have to make it as affordable as we can for people. It’s $20 a pound, which is basically the best price I’ve seen for baklava. Because I usually buy it from food trucks and pay $4 a piece, and it doesn’t compare to our flavor at all,” said Altaie.

Close-up of a tray of baklava with a single piece showcased on a small plate, highlighting the layers and nuts.
Photo courtesy Essa Bakery

Essa Bakery is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. They want people to stop by often, as they continue to expand the menu with new options that visitors may not know they would appreciate. Altaie also said they would like to learn what customers want to see offered at the shop. He explained they want to be a reliable source for sweet baked goods in the neighborhood and hope people will enjoy what the family-run business has to offer.

By

Jacob Loeb

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