Get Ready for Portland's Newest Culinary Bookstore from Vivienne

vivienne-entrance-2017-hollywood-portland-oregon

Vivienne back in 2017.

I knew Vivienne, the little cafe next to the Hollywood Theatre, was going to make some changes (i.e., the end of brunch) but I didn’t anticipate they would be on as high a level as they are. On Friday, September 3, Vivienne’s owner Robin Wheelright sent out an email announcing the changes—departing from being a full-time cafe and turning into a culinary bookstore to be located in what has been their dining room.

At the same time they’ll continue to be an afternoon bake shop (the biscuits—the best in Portland IMO—are here to stay, thank goodness), and will offer pantry staples that grew to be so popular during the pandemic, and natural wines. (“There’s nothing like it in the neighborhood.”) Vintage and new cookware will also be for sale.

On the eating front, from noon to 6pm Vivienne will serve European inspired bar food, wine, and vermouth cocktails. An additional enticing tidbit: “We’ll continue with outdoor seating through the Fall, and looking toward the future we’re designing seats in our open kitchen so you can sit at our hidden bar-inside-a-bookstore.” 15 seats are in the plans.

Robin and her team have big plans for the bookstore:

“We will offer cookbooks, kitchen memoirs, and other food related titles. We’ll also host author events, book signings, chef demonstrations and most excitingly, a program of classes inspired by our favorite cookbooks. I’ll bring my professional culinary perspective to the table and we’ll approach the recipes together.”

This is a beautiful community-building effort and one that could be really fulfilling for folks who like to cook—and eat!

Throughout the month of September, Robin and the team at Vivienne will be raising money—a $100,000 goal—to help fund this exciting and expansive project; at this writing a little over $10K has been raised. See how you can donate to this effort on their I Fund Women page.

There are all sorts of rewards, too, from one of their adorable baby cakes and tomato jam recipe to book discounts and classes.

Here’s the situation in Robin’s own words.

I wish Robin and her team at Vivienne all the best during this time of transition. And I look forward to seeing Vivienne 2.0, which will launch sometime between mid-October and early November. But for now, you can visit them Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 4pm. Brunch will continue until mid-September.