Billy Ray’s Dive Bar opens Saturday, August 1. From a press release: “After decades in the iconic location at the old red house at 2216 NE MLK Jr. Blvd, Billy Ray’s Dive Bar is moving around the corner to 835 NE Broadway.” This is the old Black Water Bar space.
Cider Bite will close. After a decade in business, Portland’s oldest cider house will close; their final day of service will be Sunday, October 19. Founder Jeff Hanneson posted about the closure on their website:
“The decision to close did not come lightly. Like many small businesses, we have faced unprecedented challenges over the past few years-from COVID restrictions, multiple break-ins, and incidents of vandalism, to dramatically rising operating costs and a significant decline in tourism and downtown foot traffic that has not returned to pre-pandemic levels. Our beloved city has struggled to regain its vibrancy and to overcome the barrage of negative national media coverage and public perceptions of safety. With our lease set to expire at the end of October and the landlord requiring higher rent and expenses under a long- term agreement, we were unable to secure an acceptable and sustainable extension that would allow us to continue.”
Prior to the closing they will host some special events and will be selling some of the business’s ephemera. Sorry to see them go. 1230 NW Hoyt Street, Portland
A reader tipped me off to an Instagram account called BEST Coffee, and with a name like that it’s probably no surprise that we were curious and intrigued at the same time. So I did a little digging and figured out who to contact with questions, and so I did. Here is what I learned.