Radio Silence Update + Minor Booze News

Just a note to say it’s been a slog, this pandemic. Mixed with other things that I won’t detail much (health stuff involving hard times), last week was a bust. I made nary an appearance on this little blog—consistency is hard when you’re sick and as a food writer it’s even worse when you have very little appetite to work with. I’ll admit to you that I spent a few days eating not much more than soft white “Artisan” bread from Safeway and bananas, and that was enough. The good news is I’m feeling better, and have leveled up to eating mostly vegetables, fruit, and protein.

And to keep things on food/drink news, I noticed that the new Target in the old OSH space (4030 NE Halsey adjacent to the Hollywood Transit Center) has put their liquor license application in. At first I thought it was odd but then I looked again and saw the little “off-premises” box checked, so I guess they’ll sell bottles of booze etc. to buy and take home. So, the Hollywood District will have another place to pick this stuff up.

My hope is to bring you more food news and views this week. I’m going to be picking up some food from some private vendors this week and look forward to sharing my observations. Thank goodness my appetite is coming back.

Another Soda Fountain Bites the Dust? Paulsen’s Pharmacy Has Closed

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The soda fountain at Paulsen’s Pharmacy in 2014. Photo credit: Wikimedia

Yesterday I learned from the Hollywood Boosters that Paulsen’s Pharmacy (4246 Sandy Blvd) has closed. Today I came across a post from Chris Balo in the Dead Memories Portland public Facebook group with more details:

“On Wednesday 1/27/2021, Paulsen’s Pharmacy closed it’s doors for the last time. My parents worked there, my dad Gary since 1970 and my mom Karen from 1984 until their retirement in 2016 when they sold the business. It’s hard to see this place close after 103 years in business. My family and I have so many fond memories of this place after it played a major part of our lives for so many years. One of Portland’s only 2 remaining soda fountains is now gone.”

Continue reading “Another Soda Fountain Bites the Dust? Paulsen’s Pharmacy Has Closed”

Spud Monkey’s Is Coming to Hollywood

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Swings as seating at Spud Monkey’s in Fairview. Perhaps they’ll install them in Hollywood, too.

I noticed the news today that the old Columbia River Brewing space is getting a new tenant—Spud Monkey’s. This is a bar that opened in 2011 in Gresham; the Hollywood District will be their third location. The boast that they are “primarily female owned and operated” and that they “specialize in potato-themed plates, including the Spuddy; a burger with a baked potato bun.” That’s a baked potato that serves as a bun, in case there was any confusion there. Continue reading “Spud Monkey’s Is Coming to Hollywood”

The Nordic Home Is Closing

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Photo credit: The Nordic Home

We were very sorry to read the news of The Nordic Home closing. They are a sweet little shop tucked into a corner space in the 42nd Street Station shopping center on 42nd Avenue in the Hollywood District. It was a nice place to get Swedish candy and other tasty foods and products originating in the Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland). Continue reading “The Nordic Home Is Closing”