I’ve been a fan of Hawthorne for a long time: loads of vegan food options, bubble tea with coconut milk, shops for almost anything I might need, a Powells branch, and so much more. A year ago, I was lucky enough to find a great house to buy just 2 blocks off of Hawthorne.
I’ve been really surprised by the changes happening on Hawthorne in just the past year. Some of the changes have been good, while others are disappointing.
The disappointing:
- The Daily Grind went out of business after 20+ years on Hawthorne. I miss being able to walk there for my groceries.
- Pho Green Papaya opened on Hawthorne and closed less than 2 months later due to lease issues.
- Pix Patisserie closed.
- Hawthorne Coffee Merchant moved to a location just off of Hawthorne.
The encouraging:
- The Cup & Saucer is expanding into the space left by the Hawthorne Coffee Merchant
- Pastaworks is moving into the space left by Pix
- Albina Press opened a new coffee shop on upper Hawthorne
These are a just a few examples, and there are plenty more. At this point, I’m not sure whether the end result will be better or worse, but I worry about it a little. All of the cool, independent shops are what gives Hawthorne it’s charm. I hope that we are able to keep them during these changes to avoid ending up with too many chain restaurants and big corporate businesses.
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Yes there does seem to be a curious contraction coinciding with expansion on Hawthorne. It seems that new land owners’ (both Daily Grind and Pho Green Papaya lots are newly purchased) desire to raise rates are a bit too aggressive in outpacing the economy and thus merchants’ ability to pay higher leases (save for the mega-successful Cup & Saucer and Pastaworks). Eventually investors expectations will have to come back in line with reality, but lets hope they don’t drive out all our cool independent shops in the mean time.
Todd, I keep wondering what they will put in those empty storefronts. The Daily Grind had big signs with a number to call if you wanted to lease it. They took the signs down, so I can only assume that it has been leased to someone. I just wish I knew who.
I was disappointed to hear the news about Pix. Haven’t been to Daily Grind but know people who loved it. Dunno what it would be replaced with but it seems like a good location for a condo developer.
Great new blog. I like the casual nature of the posts.
Yeah, I’ve been wondering what happened to the Daily Grind. I only shopped there for one thing - vegan coconut cookies which I would get for my best friend’s daughters.
Hmmm…
I do not view the expansion of Cup and Saucer as a positive. Most of the established restaurants on Hawthorne are pretty bad (FuJin, Bridgeport, Bread & Ink, Angelos, Thai Thai, Mio, Tanh Tao….).
As for the new stuff, you missed the Por Que No going in on 44th in the old dry cleaning building, and Tanker, a new bar on 49th or 50th, owned by the same guy who owns Tiny’s, BOG, Biddy’s, Genies and the Shanghai tunnel. Sel Gris is now open to wide acclaim on 19th, and there is a developing food cart community on the corner of 12th ave and Hawthorne.
Hawthorne is a tough street– it has hot spots and cold spots, and not the best parking/transit situations. The Lot that was most recently Chef Tucker’s is a good example: it’s stuck in a dead zone, and despite being a wonderful building with great fixtures, can’t hold a lessor. if you consider the changing demographics, I’m not surprised places like Sel Gris (~$30 entrees) succeed closer in, and the hipper alcoholic places are migrating up.
Gastronaut,
Thanks for the pointers on Por Que No and Tanker. Both are in my neighborhood, so I will have to check them out!
Hey Gastro (hey smartypants, I know who you are!) - the guy who owns Tiny’s, BOG, Genie’s, Shanghai (who’s name is Phil, sweet guy) doesn’t own Biddy’s. Biddy’s was owned by my friend Shandeen and she sold it to a bartender of hers, who moved the establishment away from Hawthorne to where it is now on Glisan.
I love the cart community going on down on 12th and Hawthorne; I haven’t tried any of them yet, but they look very cool.
I’m saddened Pix left - they seemed like such a good fit, and they would have gotten a lot of business this summer.
Also, I went to Fat Straw today for the first time, on Dawn’s recommendation. Very cool! My shaved ice/ coconut milk Taro bubble tea was just like being at my local fave Vietnamese restaurants (I think originally it came from Taiwan though.) I also loved the atmosphere, it was very kid friendly in the back and wifi/magazine friendly in the front. I know where I’m going next time I become Auntie for a day with my friends wee ones!
Are you kidding??? “Phil”, a sweet guy? Obviously you never worked for him! (Or With him…) As for “Tankers” - yea! More vomit on the street at 2 am…
Looks like Hawthorne Coffee Merchant has lost their lease yet again. After 20+ years in business, they’re now only available via the web.
hawthornecoffee.com
Bower’s Bakery is gone too. Don’t know why. I’m sure they were there for a couple decades too. No more, oh-so-tasty muffins. :(:(
To say Hawthorne is changing is an understatement.