Tag: Sortis Holdings

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Four Things I Learned This Week (November 15)

Sortis Holdings in the news again. The Oregonian reports “Four creditors for Sortis Holdings, who claim they’re owed a combined $8.3 million, are petitioning to force the company into bankruptcy and liquidate its collection of Northwest brands.” This includes Bamboo Sushi and Sizzle Pie; Water Avenue (acquired by Harder Day over the summer) and See See Motor (now One Moto) dodged that bullet. Various locations

Morning deals at Fresh Love. This Roseway-based cafe and grocery has three morning deals for you during the start of the week. On Monday, purchase a 16 oz juice or smoothie and get a complimentary chocolate chip-sea salt cookie; on Tuesday, buy a breakfast sandwich and get a free 12 oz drip coffee; and on Wednesday, order an avocado toast and receive an 8oz apple or orange juice. 7434 NE Fremont Street, Portland

Renovated indoor space at The Heist is now open. The Heist, a popular food cart pod in the Woodstock neighborhood, is now “home to the largest indoor seating area of any food cart pod in Portland.” It’s located inside the building on the property that used to be a bank. They are doing a grand opening celebration this weekend, where you can check out the new features: “a new coffee shop, craft cocktail bar, arcade room, and vault.”

Celebrate with them on Saturday, November 16, 6:30pm to 9:30pm. All ages welcome. 4727 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland

Tierra del Sol consolidates their work in Montavilla. Because the Mercado is still kinda stuck (reconstruction starts in January 2025) Tierra del Sol has chosen to close its location there and focus on their space at Montavilla’s Rocket Empire Machine food court. From Amalia, the owner: “This is a good opportunity for you to get to know our second location, if you haven’t already. Here, we have a more extended menu with breakfast, indoor seating, and you can get a beer from Gigantic Brewing Company, which goes perfect with our food!” They will resume their cart operations at the Mercado on January 2, 2025. 6935 NE Glisan Street, Portland

Stories you may have missed this week on Bridgetown Bites:

3 Doors Down Cafe Has Closed
Meet the Benson Hotel’s 2024 Gingerbread Masterpiece on December 3
Updates To Off-Site Odor Impacts Regulations in Portland
Domingo’s Will Open in the Old Pollo Norte Space

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Four Things I Learned This Week (September 6)

Santa Fe Taqueria will close. Longstanding westside taqueria will close its doors by the end of September after a 40-year run. They started out selling tacos out of a converted flower cart at 4th and Morrison. Then in 1986 they opened what they consider to be the first taqueria in Portland on August 4th of that year. Their current location is to be there last location, and September 30, 2024 is their final day.

From the owner, Danny Cardoso: “I am grateful to the hundreds and hundreds of employees who have worked for me these last 40 years and the millions of people who have come through the doors. Thank you Portland, please come and support Santa Fe Taqueria for this last month of operation and grab a taco with our award winning salsa and margaritas!” A farewell party is happening on Wednesday, September 25, 11am to close. 831 NW 23rd Avenue, Portland

What’s next for the Blackwell’s Grub Steak Grill building. This restaurant/dive bar in the Hollywood District closed in 2018 after the death of the owner, Jan DeLorme. Nothing has happened since then. When it was operating it was a place for blues musicians to come and jam together, among other musical things. It had a devoted following. And it looked kinda grimy from the outside, ngl.

The Willamette Week published an article on Blackwell’s and its building—and it looks like the family is going to sell it: “We have been exploring various options for a while and are about to put it on the market,” [trustee Dean] Alterman says. “This is a building with a near-100-year history that has potential for renovation or redevelopment.”

Looking at the building on Portland Maps, it appears the building is more than just the Blackwell’s restaurant, but also includes what was Magnolia on the corner of Sandy Blvd. For me, the shuttering of Magnolia was one of the saddest of COVID closings. My guess is that when it sells, a mixed-use development will be built there. 4071 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland

More on Sortis. OPB published a story on Sortis Holdings (a private equity fund), about how they started out as a kind of “white knight” to various local businesses—including See See Motor Coffee Co., Water Avenue Coffee, Sizzle Pie, Bamboo Sushi, among others—by investing in them. Eventually, what was once a dream turned into a nightmare. Worth a read.

A new king of wings has been crowned. For many months, the wings at the Sandy Hot Wings Cafe were considered the best in Portland … at least to the PDX Wing Guys. But now they have a new champ to reign over all the spicy land: and that place is Jerry’s Tavern. In their words, “BEST WINGS IN PORTLAND BY A MILE!” Check it out—I know I will. 3010 NW Nicolai Street, Portland

Stories you may have missed this week on Bridgetown Bites:

Jacqueline Is Moving Just Up the Street
Top 5 Posts on Bridgetown Bites, August 2024
Two Brothers Balkan Restaurant Is For Sale
Jim & Patty’s Coffee Is at Risk of Closing

You can also hit up these festivals this weekend:
Holly Park Multicultural Fair, Saturday, September 7, 2024, 11am, Holly Park Farm, 10819 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland

Serbian Fest, Saturday and Sunday, September 7 and 8, 2024, Saturday 11am to 10pm, Sunday 11am to 6pm, St. Stephen Serbian Orthodox Church, 11447 Southeast 27th Avenue, Milwaukie

Multicultural Kids Festival, Sunday, September 8, 2024, 2pm, Ventura City Park, 11339 SE Stark Street, Portland

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Missing U, Blog, Plus Sortis Article

Did I ever tell you that in a previous life I worked at a wholesale Madeleine bakery in Emeryville, CA? This is the brand—I spotted these at a corner store a couple blocks from where we were staying in SF in early November. You can probably get them at Peet’s or Starbucks up here.

I’ve been a big quiet here on the blog—not because of anything breast cancer-related, which has historically taken me away for extended times. It’s that … it’s been a good time to be an editor, with client copyediting taking up the bulk of my time. I also went on vacation to SF to see my favorite band pay at The Fillmore. And then I got sick from a cold virus on the flight home; I’m still recovering but definitely on the mend.

Continue reading “Missing U, Blog, Plus Sortis Article”
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Four Things I Learned This Week (September 15)

JaCiva’s Bakery is closing. This story blew up across my social media this week, as people are totally bummed about the news of JaCiva’s Bakery closing. The bakery’s message: “It is with a heavy heart that we are announcing JaCiva’s Bakery will be closing its doors. What a pleasure it’s been serving our Portland community for 37 years and we will miss being a part of your celebrations.” They are “are continuing business as supplies last.” Stop in before they close for good. 4733 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland

Zuckercreme is having a birthday party and it’s corn-themed. Montavilla’s creative cafe and shop, Zuckercreme, is celebrating their second birthday on Sunday, October 1. There will be elotes, corn on hot dogs, popcorn, corn ice cream, corn pastries, corn decor, and more. If you plan to go, they’d like you to RSVP; head here for more info. 414 SE 81st Avenue, Portland

Tomato Fest is tomorrow. For the third year, Wellspent Market is holding a tomato festival in their parking lot. The fabulous BLT will be back, along with info on dry-farmed tomatoes, some cooking demonstrations, tomato swag, and more. Saturday, September 16, 11am to 3pm; more info here. 935 NE Couch Street, Portland

Behind the Corporation Buying Up Portland’s Most Famous ‘Independent’ Restaurants. That’s the name of this article on PDX Eater, which is pretty interesting, on the independent restaurant scene here in Portland; Sortis Holdings, who “has acquired a wide swath of Portland-based businesses”; and the challenges faced by the hospitality business. The part about “chain-ifying” is one I am very familiar with, as this has been a concern in NYC for a number of years. Anyway, the Eater article is worth a read—check it out.