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Purringtons Cat Lounge To Return

Back in January when I was heading to Fisk, an art and design studio, gallery, and publisher run by a fellow CalArts grad, I saw the news about Purringtons Cat Lounge closing plastered on the door. I was sad.

So imagine my delight to see that they were purchased and will reopen! About the new owners, the former owners say, “Our little baby is in good hands!” Willamette Week has the details: Portland’s Only Cat Cafe Is Reopening Under New Ownership.

They’ll expand the cafe and redesign the bar area, and “the food and beverage menu will also be revamped.” I’m also excited by the idea that more cats may find loving homes through the cafe’s adoption program (as of today, the number of cats that have been adopted is 628). It’s unclear when they will open, but my guess is that their Instagram account is where that info will be found. Good luck to new owners Garrett Simpson and Helen Harris as they prepare to reopen.

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What’s Happening at Poor Richard’s?

After years of nothing happening at the old Poor Richard’s (3907 NE Broadway), which closed in 2011, there has been activity in the space since yesterday (hat tip: Hollywood Boosters Facebook page).  Also, an electrical permit was filed with an issue date of 1/8/19. Here are some details:

IVR Number 4331389
Permit/Case Type: Electrical Permit
Commercial or Multi-Family Dwelling/Structure
Addition/Alteration/Replacement

Work/Case Description:
513701 PM521 POOR RICHARDS (SWINERTON GC) INSTALL TEMP LIGHTING TERRY LAUE IS PM

I stopped by this morning and peered in the windows to see dusty, random stuff strewn about. There was a man sitting in a chair with an orange jumpsuit and a breathing filter (he was so still at first that I wasn’t sure what I was seeing exactly) and with the big dumpster out back it looks like they are cleaning out the space. What’s going in there is anyone’s guess, but I hope it’s going to be something good for the neighborhood; there’s also a possibility that they are simply cleaning it up for the sake of cleaning it up. I’ll keep an eye on it.

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Progress at H Mart Belmont

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Typical entrance to H Mart (this one’s in Irvine, CA). Photo credit: Nandaro

Back in July 2017 I wrote about my excitement regarding the opening of H Mart, the very popular Korean grocery store chain, in the old Zupan’s space on Belmont. Since then I certainly wondered what was up. Today I have a better idea. Portland Business Journal wrote, “according to an emailed response from the company in Tigard, H Mart is shooting for an early March opening for the new store.”  Continue reading “Progress at H Mart Belmont”

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It’s Official: Gado Gado Is Coming to the Hollywood District

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This looks delicious, but who doesn’t like the varieties of steamed buns out there? Photo credit: Gado Gado

Earlier this week, I mentioned that a restaurant named Gado Gado will move into the now-shuttered My Canh space later this year, and wondered if it was the same Gado Gado as the robust and popular Asian food popup. Today I learned via Eater that Portland Monthly confirms it. Continue reading “It’s Official: Gado Gado Is Coming to the Hollywood District”

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The Closing of a Neighborhood Restaurant: Goodbye, My Canh

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Lemongrass chicken bun from My Canh restaurant.

Over on Nextdoor there’s a thread from the weekend entitled, “Bye to best potstickers.” Of course, it immediately caught my eye since I love potstickers and dumplings of all kinds. The news wasn’t good: local Hollywood District Vietnamese/Thai/Chinese restaurant My Canh is closing. This is the kind of family-run place that serves tasty food and offers a menu of dependable and familiar dishes that grow to be beloved by regulars. Continue reading “The Closing of a Neighborhood Restaurant: Goodbye, My Canh”