Harder Day Coffee Is Opening a New Cafe in the Hollywood District

The entrance to what is going to be Harder Day Coffee on NE Sandy and 46th Avenue

Well friends, this time it’s real—a coffee shop is indeed opening up in the building at NE Sandy Blvd and 46th Avenue. This time around it’s Harder Day Coffee—they’ll bring coffee, beer, and dessert in comfy digs, to the Hollywood District. I met up with Brody Day (and bonus: Allie Heckman, Director of Operations), one of the co-owners of Harder Day (and Steeplejack Brewing) to chat with him about what they have planned for the cafe, and see where they are in the process of opening.

Under Construction, and the Grease Interceptor

Meeting up in person gave me a good opportunity to look at the site—which is, understandably, in construction mode. Right now they are working hard on installing the grease interceptor, which has been an issue for a while at this location—it, along with permitting issues, is apparently what stymied Water Avenue Coffee in their opening efforts here.

Working on that grease interceptor, located bottom right corner. The coffee bar will be nearby a little to the left.

To keep on this point for a bit: The source of this issue with the grease interceptors is related to the new rules that have caused complications for a number of food trucks in Portland. On the Harder Day Coffee site, there are two food trucks (The Whole Bowl and JC PDX Taqueria) and their grease disposal is mixed up with that of the building’s (where Harder Day is setting up business). So they are working to get everyone in order with this detail that asks businesses to adhere to stricter environmental standards.

What To Expect: Drinks and Food

As for what they’ll offer, it is similar to what you can find at their other locations—espresso drinks (traditional and speciality), drip coffee, cold brew, coffee tonics, matcha, tea, and breakfast pastries. They’ll offer a number of other baked goods, including cookies, brownies, and other sweet treats (some will be vegan). And speaking of sweet treats, they will also offer soft serve (dairy).

“We want to emphasize desserts, because there really isn’t any place to get them around here,” Brody explained. He speaks the truth, as this northeast corner of the Hollywood District is not close to, say, Doe Donuts, the unpredictable dessert menu at Sam’s, or the pastries at Fleur de Lis. The soft serve ice cream will come with the option to add a whole variety of toppings, many of which are made by their bakery. They can also make milkshakes out of the soft serve. I bet there will be affogatos, too.

And yes, there will be Steeplejack beer, naturally. They’ll have beer and wine available, and their liquor license application has been submitted for that.

What To Expect: The Space

Looking eastward toward the food trucks.

The interior of the space will have some seating around the edges, some comfy seating in the back, and high-top tables in the front. There will be a coffee bar in more or less the middle of the room, with a refrigerator next to it containing grab and go items (e.g., sandwiches, burritos, salad).

Outside, there will be seating—bistro seating and maybe some picnic tables. They plan to block off the current curb cuts (there are two) with planters and greenery so that nobody can drive into the outdoor seating area.

This location will be their third or fourth, depending on when it opens. Currently, you can find Harder Day Coffee in Woodstock and Beaverton; they also have been working on a location on SE Hawthorne in the old BofA bank building that was set on fire in 2022.

Some History of the Building in Photographs

I thought it might be fun to share some historical photos of the building, that have come my way. Thanks to Brody and the landlord for sharing many of them. First, when it was a Mobilgas station decades ago.

This is a photo of the interior of the space when it was Wholesome Blends (which served their iced coffee with coffee ice cubes).

wholesome-blends-interior-portland-oregon — Photo credit: Wholesome Blends

And the exterior of the building when it was Wholesome Blends. I love that cobalt blue.

And when it was Joule, a “nutrition based restaurant.” Everything on the menu was free of gluten, soy, corn, dairy, and sugar. I had some good meals there. I love the vibe in this photo.

Some Final Thoughts

It’s important to Brody and his team that this be an accessible, enjoyable, family-friendly place. And to offer great coffee, beer, light fare, and dessert. Look for their hours to be from 7am to 9pm, daily. They hope to open their doors by late August.

Personally, I’m so happy to see that this space is going to have a new tenant and that it’s going to be coffee (hearkening back to the Wholesome Blends days). I think this is going to make a lot of people really happy. And I look forward to sharing photos of the location when it’s all pretty and new.

Harder Day Coffee Company [opened September 16, 2024]
4615 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland
harderdaycoffeecompany.com | Instagram | Facebook

Updated September 16, 2024.