Black Cat Frozen Custard Will Open in Downtown Portland

The historic Haseltine Building, where Black Cat Frozen Custard will be located. Photo credit: Commercial Realty Advisors NW.

Last September I caught wind of Black Cat Frozen Custard, a new project from Rebecca Vega and Jared Bradley. You may know them as the owners of Raven’s Manor, a “haunted mansion themed cocktail lounge.” Black Cat Frozen Custard will offer frozen treats in creative space in a historic building—and more. I reached out to Rebecca with some questions and here is what she told me.

The Basics

On the Black Cat Frozen Custard Instagram they describe themselves as “Portland’s coven of creamy delights, conjuring frozen custard so enchanting it’s practically magic.” Rebecca explained further that it is going to be two magical businesses in one space—the witchy frozen custard shop and a secret coffee lounge.

“All guests will enter into Black Cat Frozen Custard, our witch-shop-themed frozen custard shop,” explained Rebecca. There you can enter the cafe, a “hidden speakeasy coffee lounge” called Conspirator’s Coffee Lounge.

The Building and Location

Black Cat Frozen Custard will be located a couple of blocks away from Raven’s Manor, downtown in the historic Haseltine Building. Originally, in the late 1800s, JE Haseltine & Co used it to sell hardware, supplies, equipment, and sporting goods there.

Wikipedia has some information about the building’s recent life: “The building underwent a significant renovation in 2020. Today, it is primarily an office building home to a variety of tenants who appreciate its rich history and irreplaceable visual elements, such as the red brick, and giant old-growth timber beams and columns.”

A permit from last year indicated that some interior demo work was slated to be done in the space, including the installation of some spiral stairs.

Black Cat Frozen Custard

“Guests will be able to have a taste of a Midwest delicacy that is fully customizable,” explained Rebecca.

Frozen custard is less common here than some other styles of ice cream, but I imagine most of you reading this have encountered it in one way or another. Some local places selling frozen custard include Cornet Custard, Shake Shack, and Milwaukie’s Great American Video and Espresso (a bit under the radar but has an enthusiastic following). If I missed any sources of note as far as frozen custard goes in our area, let me know in the comments.

Anyway, Rebecca explains what frozen custard is, for the uninitiated. “Frozen custard is similar to ice cream, but it has a higher egg yolk and fat content,” she said. “And therefore creates a silky and creamier product. It is truly an otherworldly experience.”

At Black Cat, they will make their frozen custard fresh throughout the day. She added, “There are endless frozen treats to be concocted with the many different toppings that you will be available to choose from.”

Conspirator’s Coffee Lounge

“The most magical part of all will be that within this witch’s shop, there will also be a secret entrance into our hidden speakeasy coffee lounge that is attached,” Rebecca explained. “Conspirator’s Coffee Lounge will be a place for those to gather and discuss at all hours of the day (actual hours TBD, but they will be open late nights). Just like the Manor, the atmosphere and vibes will be warm and inviting, with a dark academia-inspired theme.”

She continued, “There will be lounge seating and spaces to gather with friends, or to come in and get your studying and work done. The coffee from our secret lounge will be available to purchase through our frozen custard shop, as well for take away orders, and our frozen treats will be able to be purchased while visiting the coffee lounge, as well.”

UPDATE: They were hoping to open on Friday, May 23, but that did not work out. The official opening day is Friday, June 6.

Best of luck to Rebecca, Jared, and their team as they get Black Cat Frozen Custard ready to open later this year. Sounds delicious and fun!

Black Cat Frozen Custard [opening June 6, 2025]
133 SW 2nd Avenue, Suite 100, Portland
Instagram

Updated June 5, 2025.