Harder Day Coffee Co. Acquires Water Avenue Coffee, Opens in Spin Fremont

Coffee and a muffin at Harder Day Coffee Co. in Portland, Oregon. — Photo credit: Harder Day Coffee Co.

Harder Day Coffee Co. has been in the news lately. Aside from their opening a new cafe in the Hollywood District, they are in place at the cafe inside Spin Fremont, and also just happened to buy Water Avenue Coffee from Sortis Holdings.

Spin Fremont

First, the Spin Fremont news. AKA Spin Laundry Lounge, they bill themselves as an “eco-focused laundry experience.” I often drive by their location on NE Broadway but the location I’m going to talk about is on N Fremont Street and N Albina (not too far from the Coq Au Vin that’s incoming soon). Bottom line: they are a laundromat but are trying hard to make it a nice place to do your laundry with good products.

At their Fremont location is the “Eat Drink Laundry” amenity—a little cafe space inside the laundromat. Spin has partnered with Harder Day Coffee Co. “to revive the much loved and dearly missed cafe space.” They opened last week.

You’ll be able to get coffee (drip and espresso), tea, matcha, and pastries, as well as other breakfast items; beer, wine, NA cold drinks, and some lunch options will also be available. They posted some photos on Instagram to give you an idea of what it’s like there. You can access the cafe from 8am to 6pm, daily.

Harder Day Acquires Water Avenue Coffee

This is big news. The Willamette Week reported on it, publishing the news on August 19. According to a message from Dustin Guzman, chief human resources officer at SoHi Brands (as of the writing of this article, they haven’t yet taken down their connection to Water Avenue), it went like this: “As of tonight, August 16, 2024, at 12:01 am, ownership of Water Avenue has transitioned to Harder Day.” Brody Day at Harder Day confirmed this new ownership.

Harder Day started up in early 2024, and have expanded to locations in Woodstock and Beaverton, the aforementioned Spin Fremont, and have at least two others in process, including the location in the Hollywood District. And all that after launching Steeplejack Brewing Company in 2020.

They will keep the brand’s name, which makes sense—Water Avenue has very good name-recognition in Portland and a reputation for great coffee. I am a big fan, personally.

Sortis Holdings Sells Water Avenue Coffee to Harder Day [Willamette Week]

So there you have it—some worthwhile coffee news in this coffee town. Wishing the Harder Days team all the best with all these changes.

Harder Day at Spin Fremont/Spin Laundry Lounge [opened August 2024]
750 N Fremont Street, Portland
spinlaundrylounge.com/fremont | Instagram | Facebook

Water Avenue Coffee [acquired August 2024]
Various locations, including the Flagship Cafe at 1028 SE Water Avenue #145, Portland
wateravenuecoffee.com | Instagram | Facebook