Tag: Gigantic Brewing Company

Community, Review - Opinion

Portland Taproom in Tokyo Japan

In the bustling Shibuya section of Tokyo, Japan, PDX Taproom offers a slice of Portland craft beer culture to travelers and locals alongside a healthy serving of the City’s charm. During my two-week stint working abroad, I had the opportunity to visit the ten-year-old pub started by Miyuki Hiramatsu. I found a Portland-themed establishment that accurately represents our City’s brewing stature and embodies some of the Rose City’s more endearing features.

A glass of craft beer from PDX Taproom resting on a wooden bar counter, beside a coaster that reads 'Montavilla News'.
Gigantic Brewing Company – Gravity Drop IPA served at the PDX Taproom Tokyo, Japan

Hiramatsu studied in the Portland area for several years in the early 90s, attending Wilson High School (now named Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School) and Linfield College (known as Linfield University as of 2020). She returned to her home in Tokyo, where she worked for Columbia Sportswear Japan before opening PDX Taproom. In a posted note to visitors, Hiramatsu explained how her business embodies two passions that she now shares with the people of her native City. “I LOVE Portland and craft beer so much that I decided to open a bar of my own so I can deliver Portland culture, community, lifestyle, and trend to people.”

A letter from Miyuki Hiramatsu, owner of PDX Taproom, thanking customers and sharing her background, handwritten in a notebook on a wooden table.
PDX Taproom guest book with message from owner Miyuki Hiramatsu

The small space in a second-floor storefront is packed with Portland stickers and memorabilia. Corners of the bar feature Blazers, Pickles, Timbers, and Thorns supporter-wear. The bathroom pays tribute to The Portland Loo and TriMet. Behind the bar, the tap list features nine craft beers and one cider, mostly from Oregon. On the day of my visit, several regional breweries, including Thunder Island Brewing, Ex Novo Brewing Company, Deschutes Brewery, Baerlic Brewing, Rogue Ales, Migration Brewing, Gigantic Brewing Company, Breakside Brewery, and Bauman’s Cider Company, had tap handles available for a pint or a half-pint pour. Montavilla’s own Threshold Brewing & Blending is represented on the keg cooler door in the collection of stickers.

An interior view of PDX Taproom in Tokyo, showcasing Portland Timbers memorabilia including scarves, shirts, and a map of Portland on the wall.
Portland team sports are well represented at PDX Taproom
A wooden shelf displaying a map and photos of public transportation, alongside bottles of sanitizer and paper towels.
TriMet and Portland Loo adorn the restroom
Wall mural displaying the phrase 'KEEP PORTLAND WEIRD' in large letters above a brick wall, with various memorabilia on a wooden table below.
The iconic Portland tagline is present
Interior of PDX Taproom in Shibuya, Tokyo, featuring a bar with craft beer taps, a wall covered in stickers, and a sign indicating the location.
Craft brew stickers decorate the keg cooler

PDX Taproom’s bartender explained he had visited Portland once in 2018 and greatly enjoyed his visit. Despite having only stayed in the City once, he feels well-connected to Rip City thanks to the consistent stream of Portlanders walking through the door. Since starting there, he estimates that at least three PDX residents walk into the taproom each day. That steady traffic of Rose City residents has recently increased to five daily visitors after a video by Wesleigh Ogle with KATU highlighted the bar’s unique theming. Some days, up to ten people from Oregon order a brew and talk about their home with the people behind the counter, adding to the staff’s knowledge of the City nearly 4,900 miles away.

A round sticker with text in both English and Japanese that reads, 'I made it to PDX TAPROOM! Shibuya, Tokyo', featuring an outline of the state of Oregon and a glass.

After exchanging stickers with the bartender, we spoke about his next trip to Portland. I extended an invitation to come to Montavilla to sample our local brews and introduce him to the diverse culinary creations offered by our food carts, which pair perfectly with the City’s brewing culture. People traveling to Tokyo can visit PDX Taproom at 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingumae, 5 Chome−30−2 2F. Let them know you are from Portland, and they will offer you a special sticker to document your trip to Portland’s Japanese taproom outpost.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Food and Drink, Property Sale

Who Wants to Buy the Rocket

The Rocket Empire Machine’s owners are seeking a buyer for the fully leased food hall building at 6935 NE Glisan Street. Commercial Black Real Estate recently listed the property for $2 million, offering a turnkey investment for the right operator. After extensive renovations by Guerrilla Development in 2020, the former 1950-era automotive repair building began hosting five food and beverage-related businesses. Since its opening, tenants have remained stable, with only one recent turnover caused by the closing of The Pie Spot.

The property’s asking price does not include the corner parking lot parcel at 6977 NE Glisan Street. The developer split the 2,363-square-foot property from the REM project during construction planning. Kevin Cavenaugh’s Guerrilla Development company intended to create a two-story, 11-unit, single-room occupancy (SRO) building called Jolene’s Second Cousin on the vacant lot. The COVID pandemic halted that project, and the paved lot has served as surface parking for REM customers since the food hall opened. The REM building’s real estate flyer indicates the parking lot property is also available for purchase separately.

Rendering of REM building and canceled Jolene’s Second Cousin SRO, courtesy Guerrilla Development

The REM food hall is a significant anchor point for Montavilla’s portion of NE Glisan Street. It provides an accessible third-place within walking distance for many area residents living north of E Burnside Street and keeps the street active into the evenings. Its shared indoor seating and a covered outdoor courtyard often host social and community gatherings alongside a consistent customer base. Gigantic Brewing’s Robot Room offers micro-brewery drinks at the site, rounding out the casual dining experience and cultivating an environment welcoming an extended stay on the property.

PortlandMaps view showing 6935 next to 6977 NE Glisan St, both for sale

Portland’s commercial real estate market has struggled to rebound fully post-pandemic, and Kevin Cavenaugh has subsequently experienced a few publicized setbacks in other developments. In a June 2024 City Cast Portland episode, he spoke candidly about his dire economic circumstances and how he remains optimistic about Portland’s development culture despite his own troubles. Cavenaugh explained that most of his projects would remain viable investments, but he knew he would not retain ownership of them when the dust settled.

Interested buyers should contact John Gibson by phone at 503-860-3267 or email john.gibson@commercialblack.com. The future owner of this property will gain a low-maintenance multi-tenant space with relatively new commercial kitchens and a built-in customer base. Any sale will likely have little immediate impact on Rocket Empire Machine or its tenants, but the future of the adjacent undeveloped lot is far less certain.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Community, Event, Food and Drink

Spring Fling Block Party on NE Glisan

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

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

Image courtesy METBA

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

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

by

Jacob Loeb

Event, Food and Drink, New Business, Restaurant

Food Hall Opening Weekend

This weekend marked the opening of Montavilla’s newest food hall. A hand-painted sign hangs over the doors of Rocket Empire Machine, announcing the location to the passersby. Inside are five new destinations for hungry and thirsty customers.

Located at 6935 NE Glisan Street, this highly anticipated opening attracted interest around Montavilla and beyond. Each unique location brings something special to Montavilla’s food scene, and together they continue the economic buildup on NE Glisan.

  • Gigantic Brewing Robot Room is Gigantic Brewing Company’s new taproom, in addition to their other location at 5224 SE 26th Ave.
  • The Pie Spot is also a second location for Jessica Woods, expanding the reach of the beloved local bakery and coffee bar at 521 NE 24th Ave.
  • Tierra Del Sol is the none mobile second location for Amalia Sierra’s Oaxacan and Mexican food cart.
  • Alleamin African Kitchen, by Khadro Abdi, is back in the neighborhood offering African fare.
  • Sea and River Sushi offers sushi and Burmese curries from first-time restauranteur Sonder Sin. Phone: 503-208-3956

In the future, this new food hall will offer outdoor seating shared between the five businesses. For now, each location will only offer takeout until restrictions change, and the outdoor accommodations become available. With the first days of operation behind them, all of these locations should be ready to earn the repeated patronage of the Montavilla residents.

Original photo from Opening day
Food and Drink, New Business, Restaurant

Rocket Ready for Launch

Rocket Empire Machine is moving ahead with its planned opening at 6935 NE Glisan Street. Four of the five available restaurant spaces are rented, and the fifth space has two prospective tenants looking at it. Exterior construction is near completion, with only the outdoor seating area reamining. Next week, they will turn over the spaces to the tenants and they can start their individual buildouts.

The scheduled opening of this project was uncertain. The effect of Oregon’s stay at home order has slowed down or canceled many retail developments across Portland. However, Rocket Empire Machine looks to have stayed on track. It achieved this by making a few key compromises with the tenants. As well as having an advantage due to the type of affordable retail spaces they offer. Restaurants within Rocket Empire Machine are “designed for takeout and delivery” said Anna Mackay, Director of Development at Guerrilla Development.

Mackay went on to explain that the design of the building should lend itself exceptionally well to post pandemic dining, even before the restrictions are lifted. The building is designed with separate kitchens that share common seating. Although the shared amenities are will remain available, takeout customers will likely be the most common patrons in the near future.

Image courtesy Guerrilla Development

Advantageous design alone was not enough to open this project. Three weeks ago Mackay met with the signed tenants to reaffirm their commitment to opening and seek ways to assist them. At that meeting, they agreed on lower rental rates and adopt a moratorium on collecting full rent, until Oregon’s restaurant restrictions have been lifted. Mackay said that the business owners knew the neighborhood was looking forward to their opening, and that influenced the commitment to continue with their plans.

Van Havig and Ben Love, of Gigantic Brewing Company, had already announced the opening of their Gigantic Satellite taproom at this location. In addition, Jessica Woods will be opening a second location of her Pie Spot bakery and cafe. Tierra Del Sol, by Amalia Sierra, is opening up this location to compliment their existing catering business. Khadro Abdi’s Alle Amin is relocating, from further up Glisan.

Alle Amin relocation, highlights the unique element of Rocket Empire Machine’s model. One space in the building is reserved for a recipient of a “non-displacement” benefit. The goal of this benefit is to ensure that local businesses are not forced out, as our area continues to improve. Recipient businesses will receive fixed rental rates that will allow for the business to grow. Khadro Abdi faced rent increases that jeopardized the viability of the restaurant. Relocating here, will ensure Alle Amin can continue to server the neighborhood, even as other rents increase.

With the Common spaces at Rocket Empire Machine nearing completion and tenants starting work on their space, expect to see increased activity at the site. If the tenants have smooth buildouts “we could see soft opening as soon as June.” Mackay said. That will still allow for many good weather days to drop in and pick up something from our new eatery options.