When is a business more than a business? This month’s selection of new spots reaffirms the ideal that local businesses can, and should, do more than simply sell things. Portland now has a restaurant-quality kitchen space for community members to rent as well as a barbershop that will provide free haircuts for job seekers in need. We also now have a café that will function as a neighborhood gathering space and another sushi more...

The much-publicized Centennial Mills redevelopment project is in the midst of a new, controversial chapter. Since June, the relationship between the Portland Development Commission (PDC), which owns Centennial Mills, and LAB Holding, the California-based firm chosen to develop the site, has slid into disarray and finger-pointing. Moreover, PDC’s handling of the situation has been marked by a lack of transparency, erratic behavior, more...

When it comes down to it, Portland is such an enjoyable place to live because of the simple pleasures that it offers. Sure, it may be a bastion of weirdness and creative energy, but it’s also a place to find a good book and an old record, or eat a thoughtfully crafted sandwich…with gluten free bread. Perhaps as a way to ease us into the wet, dark months ahead, the businesses that opened in August exude comfort and more...

One of the main elements of the Neighborhood Economic Development (NED) strategy, an effort run by the city and the Portland Development Commission (PDC) to spur economic growth at the local level, is a focus on strengthening minority-owned businesses and businesses in disadvantaged areas. In an effort to bolster such businesses, the PDC has released a request for proposals (RFP) as part of its Small Business Development Program (SBDP), more...

In an effort to become better recognized for its efforts to support local business, the Alliance of Portland Neighborhood Business Associations (APNBA) changed its name to Venture Portland. The branding move, officially made on Friday, August 12, also includes an updated logo that features the names of Venture Portland’s member business districts. Venture Portland’s leaders hope that the switch will increase the more...

The debate surrounding food access in Portland is chock full of economic, political and public health implications. At the heart of the issue, however, lingers the fundamental question of what actually constitutes affordable, nutritious food. In a food landscape often criticized for its overabundance of cheap, unhealthy options, many have set out to find a sort of middle ground: food that is sufficiently nutritious but also affordable more...

In the last couple of weeks, the term ‘food desert’ has received its fair share of negative publicity. The New York Times reported on Michelle Obama’s recent press event with executives from Walmart and other large chains to announce the opening of thousands of stores in food deserts nationwide. The move was met with outcry from those who argue that big box stores are bad fits in small neighborhoods, and that locally more...

In the midst of the seemingly endless debate over how to properly nourish underserved neighborhoods, Multnomah County is rolling out a program to provide incentives for local retailers that offer and promote affordable, healthy food. The Healthy Retail Initiative (HRI) will allow local business owners to apply for both grant money and assistance on marketing and store layout techniques. HRI began as a result of lessons learned from more...

As much as Portland is known for its hordes of foodies, it is also famous for its collective love of well-crafted beer and intricate cocktails. This month saw the opening of numerous straight-ahead bars that cater to folks looking for nothing more than a stiff drink and a hearty burger. Of course, we also like to look good while we sip, and July produced a wealth of new clothing shops and boutiques as well. So, with a few more solid more...

UPDATED 12/15/2011 The controversy surrounding the proposal to allow the Recology composting facility in Lents to accept food waste has intensified over the past few weeks. The facility, which is located at SE 101st and Foster, would be a transitional staging area for food debris as part of the city’s food scrap collection pilot program. While the project has the support of many neighbors and nearby businesses, a growing more...