Tag: Erik Mahan

Community, Construction, Infrastructure

Stark Street Road Work Impacts Businesses

This week, two downtown Montavilla businesses disassembled their outdoor seating structures with doubts about how they will rebuild. Active sidewalk construction on the west corners at SE 80th Avenue and Stark Street required the business owners to remove the parking lane dining areas. However, the new sidewalk design and shelter reconstruction costs may impede the return of covered seating.

Sidewalk construction at this intersection is part of the 70s Greenway Project that broke ground last month. This portion of the infrastructure improvement project will add new curb ramps, Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB), improved stormwater handling, and crosswalk striping to the west side of this intersection. As part of this work, PBOT will reconstruct the corners and a segment of the sidewalks in front of two businesses, Tinker Tavern and Lazy Susan. The added pedestrian space makes the historically skinny sidewalks wider and shortens the crosswalk distance for people crossing the fast-paced road. The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) must remove a few parking spaces to accommodate the expanded sidewalks.

Deconstruction of outdoor seating shelters

Eliminating parking capacity adjacent to these two restaurants will affect how the business owners implement their Healthy Businesses curbside seating. The extra space can accommodate some additional sidewalk seating. However, the extended sidewalk spans less than the entire width of the parking lane as the outdoor shelters once did. Replacement tables in that space will need to be smaller, seating fewer guests. On the north side of the street, plans call for a new tree well in the expanded sidewalk area. That is a welcomed addition to a section of SE Stark that is often too narrow for street trees, but that further limits the number of tables Lazy Susan can deploy outside their establishment.

The managers at both businesses are unsure what type of covered seating PBOT will allow them to construct on the expanded sidewalk, if any. Hannah Schafer, Communications Director for PBOT, echoed the uncertainty regarding outdoor seating at these two sites. The bureau is currently working on updated guidelines for this program with greater Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance requirements and site visibility standards. Whatever seating is reconstructed by Tinker Tavern and Lazy Susan will need to follow those currently incomplete rules.

Clipping from PBOT intersection design document showing expanded sidewalk and corners

The potential long-term loss of table capacity is of particular concern for the businesses since they have just started paying for outdoor dining permits. In September 2022, PBOT began charging for the parking lane seating options previously offered to restaurants without fee during the pandemic. The permit application costs $150, and a business pays an additional $500 per year for each parking space it occupies with outdoor seating. Schafer explained that the business owners could apply for a prorated refund of the paid fees, as this sidewalk expansion would remove the parking spaces used to determine the price they paid. However, the businesses are more intent on working with PBOT to restore their lost covered seating. Erik Mahan of Tinker Tavern said he could get by with picnic tables during the summer but will need the covered option before the weather turns to rain. Tim Soucie, General Manager at Lazy Susan, said they would have to play it day-by-day.

Excavation pit work in the center os SE Stark Street

Regardless of their future layout constraints, Mahan and Soucie are frustrated with the timing of this work at the height of their busy season. During construction, Tinker Tavern will lose access to five of its nine outdoor tables. Lazy Susan is losing six tables. This diminished seating capacity will cause a short-term loss. Still, the business operators understand that road construction happens and hope workers complete the project before the Montavilla Street Fair in July. However, the cost of reconstructing the covered outdoor seating is challenging to absorb. Tinker Tavern allowed a customer to deconstruct their shelter and reuse it on his property. Mahan had nowhere to store it and knew it could not return to where it was before. Whatever covered area he rebuilds could cost as much as what he gave away. For Lazy Susan, reconstructing their covered seating will also be difficult, but they have no choice but to make the investment. “The cost of this whole project is detrimental to our business,” commented Soucie in an email to Montavilla News. 

The conflict between business operations in the public right-of-way and pedestrian infrastructure improvements is one of the challenges PBOT faces when crafting the bureau’s updated rules for this program. The City of Portland must improve accessibility and safety for its residents using sidewalks. However, taxes and fees collected from business help fund those initiatives. Schafer explained that PBOT recognizes each outdoor seating situation is unique and that new rules will require flexibility to balance business needs and pedestrian access. The degree to which these eateries can restore covered seating should illustrate how well the new guidelines support commerce and pedestrian needs.

Crews working for PBOT will continue building the infrastructure enhancements over the next month. Tinker Tavern and Lazy Susan will remain open during construction and provide limited outdoor seating as the construction activity allows. PBOT intends to work on finalizing the Healthy Businesses guidelines and present them to City Council over the summer. Only after that work completes will Tinker Tavern and Lazy Susan staff have a clear path forward for covered outdoor seating.

By

Jacob Loeb

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Bar, Food and Drink, New Business

Tinker Tavern Opens Tonight

After a successful weekend of soft-opening events, Tinker Tavern will officially launch tonight. Starting at 4 PM Monday, Montavilla’s newest bar begins daily operation. In compliance with regulations, only outdoor dining and take out will be offered.

Tinker Tavern will open at 4 PM every night. Closing time is flexible, between 9 PM and 11 PM, based on demand. As business increases, they will start opening at noon on weekends. Space is limited outside. The tavern has two picnic-style tables that can accommodate four people each. Covered street-side bar seating will fit three groups of up to four people. Customers can place takeout orders in-person, and staff will happily make you a drink while you wait.

Tinker Tavern took a year to come to completion. COVID-19 delays in construction and navigating operational restrictions tripled buildout timelines. Not wanting to waste time, owner Erik Mahan used the delay to perfect the tavern’s menu. Taking inspiration from his business partner’s Buffalo New York upbringing, Mahan developed the deli-pub classics into his own Portland creations. Not all items are available at opening, vegetarian and gluten-free options are in development, but some core dishes are well tested and ready to impress patrons.

Mahan looks forward to the day that he can welcome guests inside. When the most recent restrictions expire, Tinker Taverns will have an additional six to nine indoor tables. The centerpiece of the tavern is the large dark-stained bar. Unfortunately, the guest will not sit along its edge until the pandemic is under control. Until then, staff will serve customers under tiffany style lights at one of the many tables along the outside walls.

Montavilla residents are excited for this location to open. A new destination feels like a piece of normalcy that is missing from our lives this year. Swing by this week and wave hello, have a drink and a quick bite to eat. The staff of Tinker Tavern will appreciate the warm welcome to the neighborhood.

Tinker Tavern is located at 7980 SE Stark Street.

Bar, Event, Food and Drink, New Business

Tinker Tavern Opening Next Week

UPDATED – Tinker Tavern opened Monday

Tinker Tavern will open for takeout and outdoor dining next week after months of COVID-19 delays. The restaurant and tavern announced on Instagram their intent to have a limited opening in mid-December. A newly completed covered Parking Plaza sits on Stark Street outside the business’s front door.

Tinker Tavern’s website describes the general flavor of menu offerings. “A fantastic beer line up with local collaborations, local and imported wines… Well-crafted collection of Buffalo, NY inspired bar food.” The tavern’s Instagram provides more details, displaying pictures of future menu items. The image captions read as probable menu descriptions and receive enthusiastic responses from Instagram followers.

  • Tangy marinara, gooey mozzarella, and crispy curly pepperonis on a crunchy French roll.
  • Housemade mild Italian sausage topped with spicy Weber’s mustard, Kewpie mayo, and a pile o’ peppers and onions on a mini Lavin roll.
  • Beef on Weck: A kümelweck roll piled high with juicy roast beef, horsey sauce, and just a *kiss* of au jus.
  • Housemade spicy Portuguese linguiça with chimichurri on a Lavin French roll.
  • Cured meat Italian sub: Stuffed to the gills with capicola, salami, prosciutto, provolone, and all the fixings on a sturdy Portland French Wedge roll.

The owner, Erik Mahan, committed to the new tavern just before COVID-19 shutdowns rolled out across the state. Not having staff to support, Mahan managed a slow buildout and could wait for the right time to open up. After many challenges and a near year-long startup process, it is finally time to open. Starting Monday, look for signs Tinker Tavern is open and try out Montavilla’s newest addition.

Tinker Tavern is located at 7980 SE Stark Street.

Tinker Tavern’s covered Parking Plaza

UPDATED – Added wording to specify Monday as the first open date.

Bar, Construction, Food and Drink, New Business, Restaurant

Tinker Tavern to Start Construction

Last week Tinker Tavern received building permits for for their new Montavilla Tavern. This project has been delayed due to COVID-19 related shutdowns and was in a holding pattern, waiting for the city’s approval. Now work will begin in just a few weeks.

Tinker Tavern is going to have an “old school tavern look… classic.” Said Erik Mahan, owner of Tinker Tavern. He described Tiffany style lamps and swivel bar stools as elements of the design esthetic. The goal is to create a comfortable space, Mahan explained. He is not looking to challenge the customers through design but instead create a welcoming neighborhood bar.

The location of Tinker Tavern, 7980 SE Stark Street, was formerly a retail store. Transforming the space into a tavern, with a kitchen, will take some time. Mahan expects construction to last 10 weeks, as long as trade work is not overly delayed due to social distancing measures.

The added delay in opening, has given Mahan time to adjust his buildout to deal with the COVID-19 restrictions. He anticipates opening Tinker Tavern in phase two of Multnomah County’s reopening process. Currently he’s operating his other location, Bantam Tavern on NW 21st Ave, under the general restrictions. That has provided him the experience needed to make smart design choices for Tinker Tavern. Choices that will help him open safely and still function as a Tavern.

To meet the phase two guidelines, he has eliminated a table from his original interior layout, allowing for the required distancing of guests. Further interior modifications will include the use of plexiglass, to provide separation between groups. Fortunately the building is setback from the sidewalk and that will allow for outdoor seating. Mahan will use planters to create an 8 foot by fourteen foot outdoor seating area. He also plans to apply for Street Seating through the PBOT program, when he is closer to opening.

When asked why he chose Montavilla for his new Tavern, Mahan explained he has been a longtime fan of the area. He was impressed with other bars in the area, like Roscoe’s and has watched how they have grown. Mahan’s girlfriend lives in the neighborhood and they frequently walk the streets of Montavilla. It was on one of those walks that he saw this space available and knew it would be a great fit for his next Tavern. Being on SE Stark Street and a corner property made it an ideal location. Mahan described the location as an “attractive newer building.” Taking a space in an older Montavilla storefront, would not be as easy to upgrade with all the features he wanted to add.

Mahan sees a neighborhood bar as more than just serving neighborhood customers. He wants to incorporate items from other local businesses in the tavern’s offerings. Look for local beers and food items to be on his menu.

Construction will start soon and residents should expect to see activity at the site in the coming weeks. They have set up a Tinker Tavern Instagram as the primary way to communicate about their progress. Mahan said he will be posting updates and construction pictures there as things progress.

Bar, Food and Drink, New Business, Restaurant, Review - Opinion

Effect of Staying Home on Where We Go-out

It has almost been a month of empty streets and closed shops. Even if you are safe and secure during this time, you are looking around at the businesses in the neighborhood and hoping they will survive. There are some programs to help these small businesses but not enough, and certainly they are not timely in providing the help needed. Those programs are for established businesses trying to make it through the forced closures. However, they do not cover establishments that have not opened their doors for the first time. We have many businesses in Montavilla that are mid construction.

The Oregonian has an article detailing the struggle of four restaurants and bars that had all been scheduled to open in Montavilla town. In the article, the owners of White Rabbit, Tinker Tavern, Lazy Susan, and Sebastiano’s all lend their voice to the story of uncertainty around us. No business in Montavilla is immune to the financial hardships being felt right now but the ones that have yet to see their first customer, are proving to be the most vulnerable.

All is not lost for these future landmarks of Montavilla. Some should be able to postpone plans. Others are adjusting the business to fit what is practical right now. Andrew Mace, of Lazy Susan, is quoted in The Oregonian article as being thankful they did not hire staff yet.

Unlike other shops with staff, payroll and unemployment is one burden the new locations in Montavilla are not contending with. There are many established businesses in our area that need cash flow to keep some of their staff employed.

Brian Stafki put together a Google Sheet of Montavilla, and other nearby businesses, that are open or offering services in an alternative form. If you can continue to give them business, please do.

The Montavilla East Tabor Business Association has created a COVID-19 Info and Resources page that has some additional information about its members, during this prolonged shutdown.

Bar, Food and Drink, New Business

New Bar coming to Montavilla Town

A new permit application, for 7980 SE STARK Street, marks a change of occupancy and renovations to support a new bar. The application is on the behalf of Erik Mahan and House Policy LLC. with a reported budget of $110,192. This is the space formerly occupied by Eco Baby Gear, who recently moved to a new location. It is a prominent location on the corner of SE 80th Ave and Stark Street, in the center of Montavilla town.

The Portland blog Bridgetown Bites noted that a new “Tinker Tavern” was coming to Montavilla, base on a liquor license granted to Eric Mahan. The article had the location’s address a little off, and I have noted different spellings of Mr. Mahan’s first name in other publications, but these two pieces of information would indicate a new bar and/or restaurant is coming to that vacant storefront.

There are many open questions about this new establishment. Will the name be House Policy and will there be a greater offering than the standard bar menu? I look forward seeing what progress there.