Landing Paper Planes Will Bring a Pay-What-You-Can Cafe To Portland

Over the weekend, I learned about a new project called Landing Paper Planes. It is a nonprofit organization that was conceived to support a pay-what-you-can cafe supported by a fine dining restaurant. The organizers hope to open in the first quarter of 2025. I had a chance to chat over email with Jade Fenton, one of the founders, and here is what she told me.

First, the People Behind Landing Paper Planes

Landing Paper Planes was founded by Jade, her husband Paul Lewis, and their friends Saska Schmidt and Kalee Carrel. They all have years and years of restaurant/service industry experience among them, having worked in a number of well-respected and well-known restaurants in Portland.

Jade has worked in the industry since she was 15. She has experience in all the roles, starting as a dishwasher and then working every station and position in the kitchen. She also bartended for six years in her twenties. She ran her own catering business in Walla Walla, WA and also ran a nonprofit called Humanists for Equality of Walla Walla.

“Locally I have worked in many places over the years, notably Doug Fir, Perlot, and I was the executive chef at Jinx on Killingsworth,” said Jade.

Paul bartended in Reno through college, and graduated from culinary school in 2012. He has worked in all positions and stations in the kitchen since then. Notably, he has worked at Ringside Fish House, Multnomah Whiskey Library, Tabor Tavern, and was a co-chef with Jade at Jinx. 

Saska has also worked in the industry since she was a teenager. She started out as a server and has spent most of her career as a bartender. She has bartended at Old Lompoc and the Delta Cafe.

Kalee has worked mostly in the dental field. She has also bartended at a local sports bar. 

Why Call it “Landing Paper Planes”?

As for the name of the nonprofit, here’s the origin story: “We were brainstorming names for the nonprofit and we kept landing on paper planes,” explained Jade. “We all were drawn to it for one reason or another. To us it represented a youthful idealism, making something simple and ordinary into something that can soar.”

She added, “We decided it was time to bring our ideas and dreams in for a landing and turn them into something real.”

More on That Pay-What-You-Can Part

I’ve seen this concept in other places before, including both informally at a supper club in Queens and the JBJ Soul Kitchen; Jade also mentions Panera. “Pay-what-you-can is an old concept,” she explained. “JBJ and Panera bread have both done it on a larger scale and there have been several attempts at it locally. It’s always been something we were interested in, but the business model is inherently flawed. In order to provide food to vulnerable populations, it really takes your time and attention away from focusing on your paying customers.”

She believes they’ve figured out a twist with a win: “The reason our plan is unique is that we are going to divide our resources and offer separate services.”

It’s like this:

• Fine Dining: They will offer three services (two dinners and a brunch) as a full-cost fine dining restaurant.
• Pay-What-You-Can: They will utilize the space the rest of the time for a pay-what-you-can cafe.
• Bonus: This will also support community and arts events.

The bottom line: “With resource sharing between the two programs we are confident we can run a self-sustaining space.”

Everyone Who Walks in the Door Is Equal

There is a strong ethical philosophy running through the heart of this project, and the founders strongly believe that everybody matters. “Food justice is very important to all of us,” Jade emphasized. “And not only that people have access to food, but that they have that access with dignity.”

She continues, “Everyone deserves the joy and comfort of having someone prepare a meal for them. Everyone needs a space to just be, no matter their financial situation. One of the things we love about this model (as opposed to a free kitchen) is that it encourages members of the community from different backgrounds and socioeconomic groups to all interact and share space. Other people in the space don’t need to know if you paid or how much.”

“Everyone who walks in the door is equal, for that moment,” she said. Amen to that.

What They Hope To Offer To Eat and Drink, Plus the Vibe

Jade tells me that they are leaning heavily into Cajun and Creole cuisine, which is what they know best. They also love that it “provides many opportunities for fusion and culturally diverse cuisine.”

The cafe menu will likely include sandwiches and sides, daily specials, and a mocktail menu, as well as the usual non alcoholic drinks. Their plan is to operate the cafe for lunch and early dinner hours.

As for the fine dining restaurant, which is the engine fueling the pay-what-you-can cafe, it will have a full menu and bar. They also plan to implement an innovative culinary program. 

The cafe space will be open and welcoming. “It should be a space that everyone can feel safe to just be,”Jade remarked. For the restaurant, they want an intimate, comfortable, and classic vibe. 

They also want to offer various classes, space for local artists, open mics, and the like.

Where To Find Landing Paper Planes

They do not yet have a location nailed down, and are still looking. “Location is very important to us!” Jade exclaimed. “We need to find space that is accessible for people who need to utilize our services but is still attractive to people who want to join us for our fine dining service.”

She continued, “Currently, our main search focus is Sandy or 82nd, we have also been keeping an eye on some locations in inner SE and the Foster-Powell neighborhood.”

When To Find Landing Paper Planes

Their hope is to be in a space in February, and would love to be able to serve food by Valentine’s Day. But they also know things can take their time, and have set March or April as a goal—especially if they find a space that is just right for their work. Part of their timeline depends on a lot of things—funding, for one (as they are a nonprofit). Also, how much work will need to be done in a space? Only time will tell, and surprises are not unheard of.

They will start with a soft opening: “If we are in a functional space in February, we will do the soft opening there,” said Jade. “We also have been talking to friends and colleagues about fundraising pop-ups in existing places, so that would be our second choice for the soft opening.”

While Landing Paper Planes is the name of the nonprofit, the restaurant and cafe will have their own name. (“We have tentatively voted on a name, but we want to make sure it fits the space before we announce.”)

They are registered nonprofit with the state of Oregon on their way to becoming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Note that donations made to Landing Paper Planes in the new year will be tax deductible.

How You Can Help

Landing Paper Planes is in the midst of fundraising and you can support their fundraiser via the Givebutter platform. Right now it’s set for $5,000.

And donating has its perks:

• 🚨TIME SENSITIVE!🚨 Donate $20 or more before the New Year—that’s by tonight—and get a 5-course meal for TWO at the soft opening. This is a deal!
• Donate $20 or more before Wednesday, January 15 and get a 5-course meal at the soft opening.
• Note: there is a limit of 100 seats for this soft opening meal. Make sure to leave your contact info when you donate.

I think this is an heartening project, is well-thought-out, and really speaks to me. I look forward to keeping up with their progress, and am happy to cheer on their efforts. All the best to Jade, Paul, Saska, and Kalee as they move forward to their goal of feeding folks while serving up a beautiful plate of inclusion, equality, and generosity, all supported by a solid plan.

Landing Paper Planes [projected opening spring 2025]
A pay-what-you-can cafe and fine-dining restaurant pair
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