The charitable angle at Kainos, ca 2017.
Last weekend, a neighbor posted on social media that Kainos Coffee on NE Sandy Blvd is closing their cafe there at the end of September. This is a neighborhood favorite so as you can imagine, it’s a major bummer to see them depart. But there is more to the story.
First, according to one of the baristas, it sounds like they are moving to Foster-Powell, which will be quite a change. Were exactly, is unknown. But where they are now in NE Portland is in a building that has had some issues in the past. Locals still lament the eviction of beloved Italian deli Bacchi’s that was there for a few years (timeline: Bacchi’s closed in June 2016, and in the following November, Kainos opened). There are still hard feelings about the landlord among community members.
I like latte art, and Kainos’s lattes are great. They had a reputation of making one of the best PSLs in Portland, too.
Permit Details
Second, earlier this summer an Early Assistance permit was filed to alter the building. According to the barista, the building will be torn down but to be fair, I have not seen a demolition permit filed (perhaps it is coming), but the scope of work in the permit that was filed looks substantial. Here are the details of that permit (process completed mid-August):
“Shell permit for addition & alteration of existing 1-story concrete masonry structure. Including structural seismic and structural upgrades. Structure will be extended south to NE Sandy Blvd. Parking area will be reconfigured to meet current zoning requirements including accessible parking, striping, and landscaping requirements. Interior TI, MEP permits by others. ROW improvements including closing driveway on NE Sandy, street trees, widening sidewalk.”
I can’t deny that I like the detail about adding street trees—Sandy and 82nd need more trees. But I still don’t like the departure of Kainos. I also wonder if the other tenants (dry cleaner, hair salon) will have to leave, what with all the work being done.
Kainos in The Dalles
Additionally, I learned that the Kainos out in The Dalles had to close in early August. They posted this message on the business’s Facebook page:
“As many may have heard we have had to make the hard choice to close the doors at our shop the The Dalles. Marten and Mary want to give a shout out and hugs thank you to the community for all the support over the years. They also want thank all of the wonderful employees that have helped make this thing a reality for the past 6 years!”
Aside from coffee, this location was home to a wood fired pizzeria restaurant, too.
So, if you are a fan of Kainos Coffee here in Portland, stop by their cafe before the end of September to enjoy their offerings and contribution to the greater Portland coffee scene.
Kainos Coffee [closing September 2023]
6633 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland
kainoscoffeepdx.com | Instagram | Facebook
Meg Cotner
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The dry cleaners own the building
Thanks for this – I did not know they owned the building.
Rumor has it they’ll be taking over the Favela space on Foster
Thanks for the tip! I’ll look into it.