The great coronavirus restaurant purge is already upon us. Over the past two months, an estimated 4% of Oregon restaurants had already closed permanently by late April, according to a survey from the National Restaurant Association. That number could climb to 10% by the end of May.
Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Economic Research estimates that restaurants can only expect to have about a 30% chance of staying open if the coronavirus crisis lasts four months. Federal loans designed to support small businesses present Catch 22s for both restaurants and their workers alike. In a letter to congress, the newly formed Independent Restaurant Coalition has asked for a further $120 billion in restaurant stabilization funds to help small businesses.
So far, only a handful of Oregon restaurants and bars have publicly announced plans to shut for good, though that number is expected to grow quickly as Oregonians continue to stay home and our food businesses are limited to takeout and delivery. Heard of a restaurant or bar that has decided not to reopen? Send us an email and we’ll add them to the list.
PORTLAND
Abyssinian Kitchen: One of Portland’s most critically acclaimed Ethiopian restaurants announced it was “resigned to the fact that it would be nearly impossible for us to operate safely and successfully in the current space we occupy.” The restaurant hopes to reopen in a new location after the pandemic. “We plan to reopen in a different setting at a different location on the other side of this pandemic,” the post reads.
Alma Chocolate: The home of elaborate confections started by Sarah Hart in 2006 announced the permanent closure of its Northeast Portland cafe on July 2. As a parting gift, the shop posted its signature chocolate chip recipe.
Altabira City Tavern: Longtime chef and restaurateur David Machado said he’s shutting down all five of his Portland establishments permanently because the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked irreversible damage on his industry.
Arleta Library Bakery & Cafe: The neighborhood breakfast favorite once co-owned by mayoral candidate Sarah Iannarone will close permanently, The Oregonian was first to report. In announcing the closure, chef-owner Nick Iannarone pointed to the difficulties involved in enforcing social distancing measures at a small restaurant such as his.
Aviary: One of Portland’s most creative finer dining restaurants announced it would close after service on August 29, ending a nine-year run on Northeast Alberta Street.
Back to Eden Bakery & Cafe: The vegan bakery announced its closure July 4. “Nothing has brought us more joy than to serve this community for the past 13 years,” the announcement reads at backtoedenbakery.com. The company’s baking mixes continue to be available online and at New Seasons locations.
Beast: Naomi Pomeroy’s flagship restaurant will transform into Ripe Cooperative, a new market, this November.
Blackheart: This punk-rock loving all-day breakfast spot will not reopen after the coronavirus crisis is over, according to an Instagram post first by Eater PDX. “Like many businesses across Portland and around the world, we’re not able to come up with a viable way to stay open, given the new guidelines being set for reopening,” the post reads. The post leaves the door open for a Blackheart revivial in another location.
Bluehour: The upscale restaurant in the Pearl District’s Wieden+Kennedy building will not reopen after COVID-19, owner Bruce Carey announced on Facebook. “The prospects for a profitable relaunch have dimmed considerably in the context of a far-off, post-COVID future where casual service, social-distancing, to-go service and delivery are all key to any viable restaurant business plan,” he wrote.
Blue Star Donuts: Portland’s signature purveyors of high-end brioche doughnuts announced the permanent closure of three locations, one each in Multnomah Village, Progress Ridge and the downtown Portland flagship, which opened in 2018.
Canton Grill: On Aug. 26, the Louis family announced that the Chinese restaurant was closing after 76 years in Southeast Portland. The announcement on Facebook ended with this: “Thank you to all of you, our staff and our customers, for imbuing the Canton Grill with 76 years of magic.”
Cardinal Club: The Northeast 28th Avenue cocktail bar will not reopen after the pandemic. In December, the space is expected to become home to Nightingale, a new bar with creative drinks and seasonal Mexican street food from former San Francisco chef Luna Contreras.
Citizen Baker: Longtime chef and restaurateur David Machado said he’s shutting down all five of his Portland establishments permanently because the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked irreversible damage on his industry.
Giraffe: The Japanese cafe and pantry inside Southeast Portland import store Cargo has called it quits, according to an Instagram post first spotted by Eater PDX.
Helser’s: This Scotch egg-slinging corner cafe, which served as a welcome alternative to nearby Tin Shed, announced on Facebook it would close after more than 15 years on Northeast Alberta Street, Eater PDX was first to report. Fans can reach out for Helser’s recipe tips at helserspdx@gmail.com.
Ichidai Sushi: Chef owner Akihiro Hirakiuchi announced a “permanent end” to this longtime Southeast Powell Boulevard sushi spot on the restaurant’s website. Hirakiuchi’s statement does indicate that there be a “next venture” in the future.
Imperial: This Southwest Broadway restaurant closed permanently in September, followed by its sister pizzeria, The Crown. In an interview with The Oregonian, chef Vitaly Paley said his other downtown Portland hotel restaurants, Rosa Rosa and Headwaters, are also in peril.
Irving Street Kitchen: The swanky Pearl District restaurant known for its Southern-inflected menu and dramatic decor has closed for good, according to an email from general manager Anna Caporael.
Kargi Gogo: This former food cart turned brick-and-mortar Georgian restaurant will close on Nov. 22, according to an Instagram announcement. “Even though the restaurant is closing, my love for Georgia remains strong. I will continue to make Georgian wine available to you online in the Portland area and beyond,” co-owner Sean Fredericks wrote.
Ladd Taphouse: The former Blitz Ladd, which rebranded a year and a half ago, has closed for good, taking the go-to hangout for Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Browns fans away with it, according to general manager Ron Cummings.
Le Bistro Montage: The classic Portland late-night restaurant known for an epic mac and cheese menu and extravagant to-go tin foil creatures, is closing permanently, The Oregonian reported June 24.
Liberty Glass: After raising $5,120 in a GoFundMe to “Help Secure Liberty Glass Bar’s Future,” this 12-year-old neighborhood bar, found in a converted Victorian home just over the hill from North Mississippi Avenue’s popular shopping strip, closed permanently at the start of May, according to an Instagram post first spotted by Eater PDX.
Lovejoy Bakers: The Uptown shopping center location of this bakery mini chain formerly owned by Pizzicato’s Marc and Tracy Frankel has closed.
Mi Mero Mole: The Old Town/Chinatown restaurant, which specialized in guisados, or Mexico City-inspired stewed meats, has closed permanently, owner Nick Zukin wrote on social media, blaming the City of Portland for not doing more to help. “All too often this city puts a knee to the back of its businesses’ necks while smiling and telling them to relax and that they’re fine,” Zukin wrote.
Nel Centro: Longtime chef and restaurateur David Machado said he’s shutting down all five of his Portland establishments permanently because the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked irreversible damage on his industry.
Off the Waffle: The Register Guard newspaper reports that the Portland location of this Eugene-based waffle chain has called it quits because of COVID-19. A location in downtown Eugene remains open with a new burger concept, Theseburgers.
Ping Yang Pow: This 24-seat supper club devoted to the charcoal-fired cooking talents of chef Thanyawan “Thanya” Kaewket was hidden above Pok Pok NW, which has closed permanently, chef Andy Ricker announced in June.
Pizzicato: Three location of this 30-year-old Portland pizza chain have closed, including the pizzerias near Portland State University, the Uptown shopping center and OHSU’s waterfront campus in South Portland.
Pok Pok: The nationally recognized Thai restaurant has permanently closed, chef Andy Ricker said. In addition to the flagship location on Southeast Division Street, the restaurant has closed its bar/waiting area, Whiskey Soda Lounge; its sister restaurant in Northwest, Pok Pok NW; as well as Pok Pok Wing locations in Northeast, Southeast and Southwest Portland.
Prosperity Pie Shoppe: This Multnomah Village bakery, which relied on community support to reopen after a fire last year, launched a successful GoFundMe in March to help pay their final payroll.
Pullman Winebar & Merchant: Longtime chef and restaurateur David Machado said he’s shutting down all five of his Portland establishments permanently because the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked irreversible damage on his industry.
Rain or Shine Coffee House: The shop on Southeast Division announced on Facebook that Aug. 23 would be its last day in business “after 9 years 2 months and 20 days of being the bright and cozy coffee shop at the foot of Mt. Tabor, Rain OR Shine will permanently close its doors.”
Revelry: Southeast Portland’s late-night fried chicken and cocktail destination from Seattle’s Relay Restaurant Group has closed permanently, according to an Instagram post from the restaurant.
River Parkway Bistro: This South Waterfront cafe and restaurant, found in the space previously home to the Portland location of Cannon Beach’s Pizza a’fetta, has closed for good, according to a sign posted on the door.
Sanborn’s: The breakfast spot in Southeast Portland that made The Oregonian/OregonLive’s second-highest ranked corned beef hash in town announced June 23 that it would shut its doors for good.
Shift Drinks: The downtown Portland cocktail and wine bar has closed permanently. According to an Eater PDX report on June 30, co-owner Anthony Garcia said the bar’s setup wouldn’t work with Oregon’s coronavirus restrictions on bars.
Sparrows Coffee: This Westmoreland cafe and coffee roaster announced it would not be reopening its doors after the dust settles in a Facebook post on April 14.
Stella Taco: This Austin-style restaurant, a People’s Choice favorite of The Oregonian/OregonLive readers in 2017, closed the Southeast Division location for good July 18.
Sweet Tomatoes: The San Diego-based buffet chain announced in May that it would not reopen its doors once the coronavirus closure is over, a move that affects 4,400 employees across 97 locations, including four in the Portland metro area.
Tanker Bar: This spirited Southeast Hawthorne Street bar, known for once hosting Project Runway viewing parties with Portland’s own contestants in attendance, announced its permanent closure on Instagram on March 17.
Tanner Creek Tavern: Longtime chef and restaurateur David Machado said he’s shutting down all five of his Portland establishments permanently because the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked irreversible damage on his industry.
The Toffee Club: Portland’s premier soccer bar will close its doors after service on Sunday, August 23, the day of the Champions League final. “The Toffee Club relies on us filling our space with a lot of happy, cheering fans and that currently just isn’t possible,” the bar wrote on Instagram.
Trinket: This cozy Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard restaurant, known for its veggie hash and duck eggs Benedict, has closed for good, owner Gina Helvie announced. Trinket took over the short-lived Kingdom of Roosevelt space in 2013.
Uno Mas Northeast: The Northeast Glisan Street location of chef Oswaldo Bibiano’s taco joint will not reopen after the pandemic. In its place, mobile pina colada king Alfredo Climaco is opening a cocktail bar. Uno Mas’ West Burnside location remains open.
Verde Cocina en la Perla: This health-focused Mexican restaurant with farmer’s market roots closed its Pearl District location after its last takeout service Sunday, May 24. The mini chain will continue to operate farmer’s market booths and brick-and-mortar locations in Sylvan Highlands and the eight-year-old original in Hillsdale’s former Caffe Autogrille space.
Wong’s King Seafood: The restaurant that rewrote the map for Chinese food in Portland has closed after 15 years on Southeast Division Street, a family friend of chef Fulai Wong confirmed.
ASTORIA
Baked Alaska: The venerable fine dining landmark, located on a pier along the Astoria Riverwalk, has permanently closed after 20 years.
BEND
Pilot Butte Drive-In: This nearly 40-year-old Bend restaurant has closed permanently, and the building is on the market for $1.75 million, The Bulletin reports. Owner William Falconer has been trying to sell the business since 2018.
CANNON BEACH
Sweet Basil: The beloved Cajun and Creole restaurant that was set to celebrate its 14th anniversary at the end of June has closed for good.
ESTACADA
Mason Jar Cafe: This rustic Estacada cafe and coffee shop will not reopen after the coronavirus crisis is over, the restaurant announced March 15. The cafe’s furniture and equipment is for sale. Call 971-404-8877 or reach out via Facebook for more information.
GALES CREEK
Coleman’s 9N Shady Rest: Better known simply as Coleman’s, this 14-year-old roadside diner at the junction of Oregon Highways 6 and 8 announced it would close for good in April, the Gales Creek Journal reports. The closure leaves Gales Creek with just one restaurant, OutAzaBlue, which is testing out local take-out and delivery.
GEARHART
Pacific Way Cafe: This 32-year-old Gearhart standby will close permanently, just months after owners Lisa and John Allen spent $10,000 on a dining room renovation, according to the Seaside Signal.
MILWAUKIE
The Bomber: This former gas station and restaurant, which opened in the late 1940s, was best known for the B-17G bomber that hung above the building. The plane was removed for restoration in 2014. According to a voice mail, The Bomber hopes to continue its catering service.
OREGON CITY
Singer Hill Cafe: COVID-19 is pushing owners Phil and Vicki Yates into an early retirement. The husband and wife, who have ran the central Oregon City cafe and restaurant for 14 years, hope a new owner might come along to preserve the space and its signature vertical gardens.
Yvonne’s: The popular Oregon City brunch spot and its 818 Lounge announced its permanent closure on June 3. But there could be a glimmer of hope. In a GoFundMe launched June 16, owner Yvonne Haney announced that the restaurant had secured a new location, but needed $10,000 to make the move. “The COVID-19 shutdown cost us everything – our staff, our savings, our space, our equipment, our licensing, etc.,” Haney wrote. “We have the menu, the recipes, the people and the willpower to make this happen, but we do not have the funds.”
SEASIDE
Tokyo Teriyaki: The Seaside location of this mini teriyaki chain will closed permanently, according to a Facebook post. A sister restaurant in Astoria remains open.
TIGARD
Well & Good Coffee House: The nonprofit business that shared its profits with agencies serving Tigard announced May 26 that it has closed permanently.
TUALATIN
Village Inn: The Tualatin location of this casual chain announced Monday morning that it will close its doors for a final time, according to a Facebook announcement first spotted by KATU news.
