Category: Renovation

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

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Construction, Demolition, History, New Residence, Renovation

Four Affordable Townhouses on NE Hassalo

Crews will soon begin work preparing the vacant lot at 8425 NE Hassalo Street for a quartet of new townhouses. The seller will offer the new homes under an affordability program that exempts buyers from paying reassessed property taxes for a decade, cutting their monthly escrow payments. The developer will use the Middle Housing Land Division (MHLD) process to split the parcel into four distinct lots for individual sale. The frontmost home’s door will open onto the street, with the back three accessed by a shared walkway along the western edge of the properties. The attached units will provide buyers with three bedrooms in around 1,200 square feet of living space spread across two floors.

Aerial view of a vacant lot at 8425 NE Hassalo Street, surrounded by residential properties, outlined for future development of townhomes.
Portland Maps image showing 8425 NE Hassalo St outlined in red

Area developer Rees Bettinger purchased the 15,700-square-foot investment property at 8413 NE Hassalo Street in May, splitting its two linked lots. NW Development bought the undeveloped tract east of the existing house for this housing project. That company’s owner, Brett Barton, explained that he and Bettinger are longtime friends, working cooperatively when possible. Another developer purchased the corner lot and is using Cascade Homes NW to construct an additional four townhouses off NE 84th Avenue, as well as renovate the existing 1908-era two-story home that originally occupied the site. In the 1930s, a plumbing permit for the century-old property listed the “World War Veterans’ State Aid Commission” as the owner of this home, possibly indicating that a past resident was a World War I or Spanish-American War veteran who received the supportive organization’s loan to purchase the house. Although the house on NE Hassalo Street has used the adjacent property as a side yard for decades, the original platting of this block indicates that its subdividers intended the undeveloped 5,650-square-foot parcel to serve as a distinct property, and this current project is likely its first housing development.

Architectural floor plan for a development featuring four townhouse units, showing first and second floor layouts with labeled storage spaces.
8425, 8427, 8429, 8431 NE Hassalo St, floor plans courtesy NW Development

The 50-by-114-foot lot offers considerable space for the new housing. Barton said his project will utilize the same architect who designed Rees Bettinger’s townhouses, located a block over on NE Holladay Street. However, with the increased property size, the NE Hassalo Street units will offer their owners a few extra feet in critical spaces, such as bathrooms. The main level’s open layout places the “L” shaped kitchen in the back corner near the rear sliding door that leads to a patio space on the east side of the homes. An outdoor storage closet, located near the back patio, provides space for seasonal outdoor furniture or other deck items. A kitchen island has space for counter seating from the living room side and helps define the kitchen space from the rest of the open main room. The northern walls support a pantry, a half-bath washroom, and an under-staircase storage area containing the water heater. The second floor features two standard-sized bedrooms, each with a shared bathroom located in the hallway near a stacked laundry closet. An “owner’s” third bedroom features an ensuite bathroom and a walk-in closet.

Architectural rendering of a row of four townhouses showing modern design elements, large windows, and a symmetrical facade.
8425, 8427, 8429, 8431 NE Hassalo St, renderings courtesy NW Development

Barton said the new homes will also have more yard space, thanks to the deeper and wider lot. However, development plans will not allow for attached onsite vehicle storage. He explained that he registered the development in the “Homebuyer Opportunity Limited Tax Exemption” (HOLTE) program, which grants a property tax exemption of up to ten years to single-unit homes, as long as the property and owner remain eligible according to HOLTE Program requirements. Owners remain responsible for paying the original assessed value of the land without a building during the exemption period. This program only applies to housing with at least three bedrooms or some Two-bedroom homes within transit-oriented areas. Buyers must remain below the Median Family Income (MFI) restriction levels, and the home sale price for this program cannot exceed a maximum price currently set at $455,000. Barton intends to sell the houses for under $400,000 and expects the HOLTE option to make this obtainable for people qualified for loans in the $330,000 to $370,000 range.

A partially renovated house with wooden siding and a new roof stands on a lot that has been cleared of vegetation and debris. Surrounding trees and shrubs are visible in the background under a blue sky.
Renovation work underway at 8413 NE Hassalo St with 8425 NE Hassalo St seen behind it

New changes to Portland’s System Development Charges (SDCs) will also have a positive impact on this project. Barton said he would have needed to enroll in other affordability programs to reduce the fees the City charges builders to pay for new infrastructure. Those expenses can make some projects too costly. In July 2025, the Portland City Council adopted an ordinance that temporarily exempts newly created housing units from SDCs. With that change, Barton said prospective buyers will face fewer restrictions when qualifying for these affordable units. For other market-rate projects, it could keep costs within the profit margins needed to undertake a development.

City staff are still reviewing permits for the new housing. When construction crews complete work on these concurrent developments, the land that once supported a single home will now contain at least nine residences. People can expect significant progress on this project in 2026.

Article and photo 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.

Construction, Demolition, New Residence, Renovation

Four Townhouses Joining 1908 Home

Work is underway to prepare the property at 8413 NE Hassalo Street to support four new townhomes. Demolition specialists recently removed a garage on the large corner lot, clearing the way for the new housing on NE 84th Avenue. The developer will utilize a Middle Housing Land Division (MHLD) process to split the 4,825-square-foot parcel into four distinct lots for individual sale, retaining the 1,768-square-foot 1908-era two-story home on a separate 5,321-square-foot tract. This project adds four new housing units offering future buyers nearly 1,200 square feet of living space while preserving a classic house.

Map of the property at 8413 NE Hassalo Street, showing lot dimensions and boundaries for development of new townhomes.
Portland Maps image with MV News illustrations showing 8425 NE Hassalo St outlined in red and approximate location of 8413 NE Hassalo St lot division in dark blue

Area developer, Rees Bettinger, purchased the 15,700 square foot century-old property in May, splitting two adjacent lots, selling the undeveloped 8425 NE Hassalo Street parcel east of the house to NW Development for another housing project. Cascade Homes NW is assisting the new owner of 8413 NE Hassalo Street, Novus Cottages LLC, in developing the corner property while preserving and improving the existing single-family residence. A property line adjustment submitted in June will carve out a new 4,825-square-foot parcel from the north portion of that project site. That change will create a 50-foot-wide lot off NE 84th Avenue that will narrow at the rear to allow space around the back of the existing home. That northern property will host the four new three-bedroom townhomes. Each unit will have two full bathrooms upstairs for residents and a half-bath on the main floor.

Front view of a partially renovated two-story home with wooden siding, surrounded by trees and construction equipment in the background.

Crews are currently remodeling the older house, adding two new bedrooms and one bathroom to the second story and updating the exterior envelope of the building. Now that crews have removed old cladding, passersby can see the signs of closed-off windows and other adjustments made to the old home over its long stint in the Montavilla area. Future housing will surround the once-greenery-rich corner lot, providing housing density without compromising the existing primary structure that helped define the area. People will continue to see housing density in this Residential Multi-Dwelling 2 zoned section of the neighborhood, which supports multifamily housing up to four stories tall and has minimum housing unit requirements for redevelopment.

Construction site at 8413 NE Hassalo Street, featuring a large corner lot with a two-story house from 1908, surrounded by trees and power lines, with excavation equipment and cleared land in the foreground.

New townhouse’s addresses:
1122 NE 84th Avenue
1124 NE 84th Avenue
1126 NE 84th Avenue
1128 NE 84th Avenue

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, Renovation, Restaurant

82nd Ave Wendy’s Dining Room Closed for Renovation

The operators of a Wendy’s restaurant at 232 NE 82nd Avenue have recently closed the location’s dining room for renovations, while maintaining drive-through access for customers. Upgrades underway include modifications of interior walls along with the installation of new equipment and fixtures. Exterior work involves rearranging this location’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) parking spaces, adding bike parking, and installing new exterior lighting mounted on poles.

Signs of construction are apparent as crews have removed one front window from the building and covered it with plywood. Guests on foot are greeted with a typewritten note on the restaurant’s door from Wendy’s management, stating that the dining room is closed for renovations. The sign provides no reopening date, but the work detailed in building permits is substantial, and it will likely take months to complete. Wendy’s placed a portable restroom trailer in the parking lot for staff to use during the interior renovations that will impact the location’s bathroom access.

A close-up view of a Wendy's restaurant door showcasing signs about renovations and job opportunities. The main sign informs customers that the dining room is closed for renovations, while other signs advertise breakfast hours and a promotion for soft drinks.
Typewritten note on the restaurant’s door from Wendy’s management that the dinning[sic] room is closed for renovations

This 1981-era dine-in and drive-through building features the brand’s classic stylings and has outgrown its current configuration. Previous remodels included the creation of an exterior detached cooler that crews demolished as part of this round of enhancements. Building permits list the planned addition of an attached cold food storage room to accommodate future kitchen capacity and replace the old detached unit. Electricians will replace lights in the dining area and soffit, in addition to installing a new menu board. Plumbers intend to relocate two toilets and one hand sink as part of the interior reconfiguration.

The Wendy’s fast food chain did not respond to requests for details regarding this remodel. However, the company has recently embraced its Global Next Gen design strategy for new and refreshed stores. This concept prioritizes higher order volume with streamlined buildings supporting increased digital orders and delivery customers. The square-patty burger maker says their modern restaurants can significantly upscale production compared to previous designs, increasing kitchen output capacity by nearly 50%. However, it is not certain that this location will embrace the new store design and may retain its classic appearance, with most renovation efforts focused on the interior and some parking lot reconfiguration.

A city map highlighting NE Everett improvements, including ADA curb ramps, wider sidewalks, and pedestrian safety measures.
Image from 82nd Avenue Glisan and Davis May 2024 Draft Design. Courtesy PBOT

Work at this location will complement the Portland Bureau of Transportation’s plans to widen the sidewalk in front of this restaurant to 12 feet, adding room for possible street trees or a planting strip in the furnishing zone between the curb and sidewalk. The pedestrian zone widening is part of the 82nd Avenue Glisan and Davis Signal Improvements project developed in 2024, with an expected groundbreaking in 2025.

Wendy's restaurant building with a sign, surrounded by landscaping and construction equipment, including a blue portable restroom and a storage container, indicating ongoing renovations.
Wendy’s south parking lot show with a trash dumpster and construction storage shipping containers

Visitors to the Wendy’s restaurant on NE 82nd Avenue should anticipate using the drive-through window during much of the ongoing construction and exercise caution when traversing the south parking lot, which serves as a staging area for construction storage and equipment.

Update July 19, 2025: As crews peel away the layers of parapet cladding for the Wendy’s restaurant, passersby can see the outlines of the chain’s past branding designs. In the 1980s, the old-fashioned hamburger company decorated the top band of its buildings with diagonally aligned siding with raised rectangular trim featuring scooped corners. Later updates featured the base painted bright yellow and the raised detail in red. Contemporary stores use flat and box-ribbed metal panels in dark colors to decorate the top section of the restaurants.

Exterior view of a Wendy's restaurant under renovation, showing construction signs and covered windows with plywood.

Update August 23, 2025: Crews installed the new front parapet cladding and modern sign. Visitors can now see the old mansard roof style next to the contemporary design.

Exterior view of a Wendy's restaurant under renovation, featuring construction equipment and a 'Now Hiring' banner.
Wendy's restaurant exterior at NE 82nd Avenue, showing renovation construction with signage indicating the dining room is closed, surrounded by caution tape and construction equipment.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Food and Drink, Infrastructure, Renovation

82nd Ave Wendy’s Remodel

Wendy’s restaurant at 232 NE 82nd Avenue plans to refresh the fast food location inside and out later this year. Some upgrades include modifications of interior walls along with the installation of new equipment and fixtures. Exterior work involves rearranging this location’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) parking spaces, adding bike parking, and new exterior lighting mounted on poles.

This 1981-era dine-in and drive-through building features the brand’s classic stylings and has outgrown its current configuration. Previous remodels included the creation of an exterior detached cooler that crews will demolish as part of this round of enhancements. Building permits show the planned addition of an attached cold food storage room to accommodate future kitchen capacity and replace the old detached unit.

Exterior detached cooler that crews will demolish

The Wendy’s fast food chain did not respond to requests for details regarding this remodel. However, the company has recently embraced its Global Next Gen design strategy for new and refreshed stores. That concept prioritizes higher order volume with streamlined buildings supporting increased digital orders and delivery customers. The square-patty burger maker says their modern restaurants can significantly upscale production compared to previous designs, increasing kitchen output capacity by nearly 50%.

The newer-designed stores include smaller dining rooms and offer dedicated windows for delivery drivers to collect food purchased through services like Doordash or Uber Eats. They often feature adjacent short-term delivery driver parking to streamline pickups and keep drive-through lanes clear for customers. The newer designs also incorporate building with a mixture of woodgrain and flat panel cladding over clean vertical lines that extend up to the parapet. The company no longer uses the decorative flared band that wraps the roofline of older Wendy’s locations, preferring a simple box shape to the building.

Work at this location will complement the Portland Bureau of Transportation’s plans to widen the sidewalk in front of this restaurant to 12 feet, adding room for possible street trees or a planting strip in the furnishing zone between the curb and sidewalk. The pedestrian zone widening is part of the 82nd Avenue Glisan and Davis Signal Improvements project developed in 2024, with an expected groundbreaking in 2025.

Image from 82nd Avenue Glisan and Davis May 2024 Draft Design. Courtesy PBOT

The NE 82nd Avenue store may only use some of Wendy’s Global Next Gen design principles in its remodel. However, it will likely incorporate many modern elements into this location to increase its functionality for customers and employees. The City of Portland is still reviewing building permits for this remodel. Work is likely months from starting and may require some disruption to regular business at this location during construction.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

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.

Food and Drink, Renovation

Secret Pizza Society Refresh

The Secret Pizza Society opened its vegan restaurant on NE Glisan Street in 2019. The owners recently reopened the shop after a week-long interior update that has become an annual event to refresh the front-of-house experience and give staff time off. As the team wraps up its fifth year serving customers from the Montavilla storefront, they also mark a decade of creating unconventional plant-based pizzas that don’t break the bank.

JR Holland and Bryce Hooper started this business as a pizza wholesale and catering company nearly a decade ago. They met as line cooks preparing brunch at the Road Runner Cafe and became friends. Holland has always worked in food service, starting at McDonald’s when he was 15. That career followed him to Portland, where he worked in bakeries and, eventually, pizza restaurants. “I worked at It’s A Beautiful Pizza, which is no longer there. That was on Belmont; I did dough for them. I worked at Apizza Scholls for three years, made dough for them,” recalled Holland. That experience and a desire to build a business that would support his friends and growing family led Holland and Hooper to take a risk on a new venture. “Apizza Scholls, for all its flaws, was a well-run business, so I just thought pizza was the logical conclusion,” said Holland when describing how they decided what they would cook.

The partners did not want to mimic the pizza options already available to Portlanders. While still planning their menu, they would work on recipes and try to find a standout approach. “Bryce and I, while making brunch, just sat there and crafted ideas. We would try and come up with a different way to do pizza because there’s a hundred pizza joints. They are all good to varying degrees and basically do the same thing. You know your meat supreme, your veggie supreme, this, that, and the other,” explained Holland. They both enjoyed a vegan diet with varying levels of commitment and wanted to rethink how a plant-based pizza could surpass its traditional counterpart. The foundation of that approach was not to just replace dairy cheese with a vegan version and find meat alternatives. They looked to other dishes and flavors to create a product that was not just pretending to be something else. “You know, it’s funny because at least two or three of our pizzas are [based on] scrambles that we used to make for the brunch joint,” remarked Holland.

They started small without a dedicated location. “We used to make take-and-bake pizzas for bars and venues. We did a few VegFests as a good way to get our name out there and build a customer base before we open the doors,” recalled Holland. “Revolution Hall was a big help to us. That was our first big account. We used to make tons of take-and-bake pizzas for them, allowing us to quit our jobs.” Needing kitchen space for the business, they found space in North Portland under the North Star Ballroom. Papa G’s Vegan Organics made tofu alongside Portland Fresh and Shoofly Vegan Bakery in that space. Holland recalled tight quarters in the subterranean commercial kitchen, but they made it work for each of these growing Portland brands until the building sold. JR Holland knew Michael Freeston, whose company, Grocery Getter Organic, was about to close its warehouse space at the 7201 NE Glisan Street storefront. The displaced vegan collective decided to relocate to Montavilla and share the former Grocery Getter space.

Holland and Hooper took over Papa G’s Vegan Organics, running the restaurant on SE Division Street and its tofu business. Eventually, Shoofly Vegan Bakery needed to expand into a bigger storefront, which opened up space for customers on NE Glisan. The partners had always wanted to grow the pizza business into a restaurant. They opened the Secret Pizza Society on March 31st, 2019. The name is an adaptation of their company’s original name, GSMP, which stands for Great & Secret Motion Pizza. It is an homage to Clive Barker’s The Great and Secret Show and a celebration of film. The name officially morphed when they had a small space below the Chapel Theatre in Milwaukie, Oregon. Holland recalled people referring to it as a little secret pizza shop in the basement of the theater, and the owners thought that the Secret Pizza Society would sound like a band or a vigilante unit of superheroes.”

Secret Pizza Society had its first anniversary at the start of COVID. They were able to make pizza takeout work with dining restrictions but ended up closing Papa G’s restaurant. They transferred the tofu business to one of their employees, who still makes it at the NE Glisan Street location. JR Holland gave Papa G’s deli case to another business owner who recently closed his location and offered to return the case. That prompted Holland and Hooper to close the shop this October and rework the front counter to include the deli case. They also replaced the mechanical system for their walk-in refrigerator, rearranged dining-room seating, and made other adjustments before reopening last week.

The small storefront still hosts Portland Fresh’s production kitchen, and Holland says having his friends working together is one of his favorite parts of running Secret Pizza Society. “When people say ‘don’t hire your friends,’ I say ‘balderdash.’ Everyone that works here is a longtime friend of mine.” He feels that this is what makes this such a great place for customers to visit. People enjoy coming to work there, and they reflect that joy in how they interact with people. JR Holland is proud of the food they make for people, noting that it is a destination spot for vegans and pizza fans across Portland. He attributes that to the fresh ingredients and their competitive pricing. “You don’t have to spend $30 for an organic vegan pizza. I’ve done the research and looked at every pizza shop not named Domino’s or Pizza Hut. Our pizzas are easily the cheapest ten-inch personal pizza,” said Holland. They are open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays. On weekends, they open from 1 to 10 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday. The plant-based menu offers unique flavors that please vegans and carnivores equally. You can also order their pizzas at the Replicant bar down the street.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

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

Community, Renovation

Portland Mercado Moves Closer to Post Fire Restoration

On October 9th, the Prosper Portland Board of Commissioners voted to grant up to $750,000 towards reconstruction of the Portland Mercado after a January 3rd fire destroyed the Barrio Bar and damaged its surrounding building. The presentation that preceded the unanimous vote revealed that crews will reconstruct the bar space to its former configuration and show additions to the structure, creating more outdoor covered space at the ground level with newly accessible rooftop seating.

Portland Mercado pre fire, courtesy Portland Mercado

The nearly $2 million budget blends funds from fundraising, insurance, and now the awarded grant to Hacienda CDC that manages food cart pod unified by Latino culture. Located at 7238 SE Foster Road, this site fulfilled a community dream to develop the first Latino public market in Portland when it opened in April 2015. Organizers built the affordable retail complex on land owned by the City of Portland’s development agency, Prosper Portland. It offered a mix of interior and food cart space to emerging businesses until an early morning fire in January closed the main building’s shops and Commissary Kitchen.

Portland Mercado restoration budget slide from presentation to Prosper Portland Board of Commissioners

The outdoor facilities at Portland Mercado reopened not long after the fire, but the building remained shuttered until crews could repair the damage and reconstruct the weakened structure. Insurance payouts totaling $904,203 have taken time to coordinate. Presenters explained that the insurance compensation policy requires the bar space to be rebuilt to its previous configuration, and that process follows a restoration path that should return the building to its previous state. However, this construction project allows Portland Mercado to tackle expansion projects it planned to build prior to the fire.

Covered outdoor seating is critical to guest comfort at the Portland Mercado. The Pacific Northwest’s dependably rainy weather is exchanged for hot summer days, and diners appreciate cover in both circumstances. Rebuilding efforts will use the extra Prosper Portland grant money to create a larger building that can accommodate more seating outside the bar area. A new outdoor staircase will lead up to the second floor, where a covered rooftop seating area provides more space for guests and a neighborhood view away from ground-level activities.

During the remodel, the building will also receive new paint in an updated color pallet. Once reopened, a new bar vendor will likely take over the space. Barrio Bar’s owner Chris Shimamoto recently took a position at the Publican Beer Room within the Collective Oregon Eateries (CORE) food hall on SE 82nd Avenue. He explained he was not ready to reopen his own space again but was excited to return to bartending at CORE. Portland Mercado operators intend to file building permits this month, with construction starting in the winter. Crews should complete work in mid-2025.

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.

Construction, History, Renovation

Sunshine Laundromat Closes for Renovations

On September 23rd, Sunshine on Glisan Coin Laundry & Cleaners closed for a multi-week renovation. Crews removed several old machines and used jackhammers to break up interior concrete at 7914 NE Glisan Street. Over the last year, the business’s new owner, Nader Fakhry, replaced aging machines and other systems to improve operations and upgraded washer capacity for the patrons who rely on this business for household washing needs.

Fakhry purchased the laundromat on NE Glisan Street in 2023 after several years running Alpine 24 Hour Laundromat on N Lombard Street. He registered both businesses under the Splash and Relax Laundromat name. However, Fakhry has no plans to change the name because he believes that it is essential that customers continue to see the traditional name of their trusted laundry facility. He wants people to feel confident returning to his business and has taken a paced approach to upgrades. Over the last year, customers have seen systems swapped out and payment options expanded. During the business’s transition to new equipment, customers would use one of several cashless payment systems, including the in-store loyalty program Fastcard, the Speed Queen app, or credit cards, depending on the machines available. The business owner’s gradual upgrades have created some inconsistency between units using old or new payment options, but those should dissipate when renovations are complete. The move to all Speed Queen equipment will enable people to use smartphone apps to track washer progress and not need to wait inside the laundromat.

When Fakhry took over the Sunshine Laundry, most machines were 20-pound capacity washers, similar in size to units found in people’s homes. Previous owners installed those shorter units on a large concrete platform in the center of the building that put washers at an ergonomically advantageous height for loading. The business owner is transitioning to new, larger capacity machines, some of which they installed during a March refresh, and others will be part of this latest renovation. The modern Speed Queen equipment supports loads ranging in capacity from 40, 60, 80, and 100 pounds. The larger equipment sits higher off the ground and will not work on the old raised platform.

Consequently, demolition crews are removing the concrete island in the center of the floor. Fakhry explained that this lowers the taller washers back to a reasonable height and allows patrons better movement between the washers and dryers without traveling the length of the laundromat to navigate around the podium. With the floor open, crews can upgrade the existing drainage system to higher capacity pipes needed for the bigger washers. Cement masons will need to increase the floor slab’s thickness in areas to support the heavier 100-pound equipment. Those are some of the largest capacity washers in Portland, and they can process five times the clothes as a home-sized unit.

Renovations at this nearly 100-year-old building were inevitable as the past owners retrofitted it for this use decades ago. MacMarr grocery stores built this storefront in 1930 under the old street numbering system. The City originally addressed the building as 1979 E. Glisan Street before the great renumbering of Portland. A few years later, before 1935, Safeway purchased the MacMarr Stores chain. It remained a Safeway store into the 1950s. Around 1961, the property’s owner converted the building to support a coin-operated laundry. At one point in the late 1970s, the laundry’s name was “Laudrymat Village” before other owners changed it to modern variations of the current business’s name.

With the laundromat’s long history of serving residents who need access to washers and dryers, its temporary closure will likely disrupt people’s lives and require them to visit other locations. However, these renovations will enable this business to grow to meet modern laundry needs while supporting programs people depend on. The pre-existing Fastcard system will remain with new, more secure cards, giving people $22 in credit for every $20 loaded on the card. Future equipment upgrades will also allow mobile tap-to-pay and direct credit card payments. Larger machines allow for more efficient service for all users, and they can also attract customers who have at-home machines but need larger capacity for bulky items or faster washing. Nader Fakhry plans future updates to expand his business’s wash and fold service and continue his equipment modernization efforts. Construction could take two to three weeks for contractors to complete work. Watch this article for updates on the reopening of this affordable neighborhood laundromat.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

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Community, Construction, Renovation

Belmont Library Closes for Renovations

On September 7th, the Belmont Library at 1038 SE Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard closes for renovations that will more than double its size with a two-story addition to the original 1924 brick building. Demolition crews will remove portions of the building added in previous updates, clearing the way for the modern amenities seen at other voter-approved library expansions. Starting August 31st, patrons will only receive at-door service from library staff as they prepare the space for construction.

Draft renderings of Belmont Library courtesy of Bora Architecture and Interiors

Belmont Library is one of several options for Montavilla residents. Despite its modest 5,420-square-foot capacity, this branch is one of the busiest locations in the entire Multnomah County Library system. During the closure, people can visit a temporary branch at 3557 SE Hawthorne Boulevard starting Monday, September 9th. Limited services at this storefront will include holds-pick-up, Lucky Day items, all-hours book returns, and free wireless printing. Patrons can also use the recently refreshed Gregory Heights Library at 7921 NE Sandy Boulevard or the new two-story Holgate Library at 7905 SE Holgate Boulevard.

Draft renderings of Belmont Library courtesy of Bora Architecture and Interiors

Crews will create dedicated areas during the Belmont Library remodel that offer more to do than read, similar to what staff revealed last month at the Holgate Library. Children and their caregivers will find an ample interior educational play space with books, games, and other age-appropriate learning tools. Community groups will gain flexible meeting spaces with updated technology and internet throughout the facility. A teen area will provide space for homework and creative expression with access to modern technology. As with other recent library investments, new community-reflecting art will adorn the expanded building.

Draft renderings of Belmont Library courtesy of Bora Architecture and Interiors

Bora Architecture and Interiors led the design efforts for this $28 million project that will deliver an approximately 15,000-square-foot modern library. People should expect a year of construction starting next month. The builder anticipates the Belmont Library will reopen around spring 2026.

By

Jacob Loeb

Update: A previous version of this article said the Belmont Library would reopen in late 2025 or early 2026. That timeline was updated to spring 2026.

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.