Photo credit: Scott Edwards Architecture
I’ve become aware of a new Central Eastside “destination” in the works, named Wonderlove aka Wonderlove Fun Factory. It will be located in the “outdoor yard space of Love Bucket, a bike helmet and skateboard manufacturer.” It will offer live music, and include food carts and a shipping container bar.
Scott Edwards Architecture is the firm supporting the creation of this new space. You might know them from their work on Beaverton’s BG Food Cartel and the Portland Mercado (one of my favorite spots in all of Portland). The self-identified “Founder & Visionary” behind Wonderlove is Michael Morrow, who also founded Nutcase Helmets (with Miriam Berman) and Love Bucket Helmets. His background includes working at Nike as a “sports-design guy.”
This project started a few years back as Wonderlove Fun Factory, the home for two bike and skate helmet brands—Love Bucket and Bucket Brigade—offering “all things helmets for bike, skate, snow, and more.” The part of the project for the purposes of this article is the food/drink/entertainment aspect: 12 food carts; a 2-story shipping container sports bar with a roof deck; and a covered seating and promotional event area. It is described as, “This fun, vibrant space offers a place for people to gather, enjoy local foods and beverages, and see artists and performers from the community showcased.”
The building seems to have been a favorite for those who tag and dabble in the “aerosol arts,” ca. spring 2022. Photo credit: Google Maps
More from the architects: “Our client’s vision centered on developing a place for art, music, and community events that also cultivates a feeling of wonder (hence the name) and possibility. To do this, we incorporate several key elements that set the space apart, including the shipping container sports bar and a 40’ art sculpture resembling a robot wearing a Love Bucket helmet. The building and site will be covered in local artwork to further heighten the sensory experience.”
They look to be open 7-days a week, starting at 11am and closing at 11pm, save for Fridays and Saturdays when they’ll be open until 2am. Look for social gaming, dancing, and music—live, recorded, DJ (music until midnight only on any given day of the week). They plan almost 200 seats between the food cart pod, the restaurant, and lounge. Michael Morrow says, “We have an amazing view of downtown Portland from our home on SE 2nd and Main.”
As you can imagine, this is a big project, envisoned as far back as 2020, so it’s taken its time to come together. As to when they are going to open, my guess would be this summer.
So, Central Eastside is getting another live music venue, what with Doug Fir Lounge reopening later this year, a little over six blocks north of Wonderlove. Perhaps this is a sign of the improving health of this city that has been going through a lot. I’ll keep an eye on Wonderlove Fun Factory as it moves closer to opening.
Wonderlove Fun Factory [projected opening 2023]
1300 SE 2nd Avenue, Portland
Meg Cotner
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Whatever happened to this project ?
Hi Cam, I wrote an update in February: https://bridgetownbites.com/2024/02/14/updates-wonderlove-delta-park-yen-ha-space-portland-oregon/
From what I can tell, they are hoping to open Labor Day weekend. A little later than “spring 2024” but in a lot of ways it makes sense to open up shop on the unofficial first day of summer.