Neighborhood Notes

If there is one thing we can count on in the Pearl it's change. There are 2 changes we noticed this week, within sight of each other.

The first change is Bernadette Breu Antiques is closing. A phone call to the store said that the business will be moving to SE Portland in the near future, but the focus right now is on closing the Pearl District store. They estimate that the doors will close in about a month. During the closeout everything is on sale and discounts start at 30%. If you'd like to receive updates on the new location and opening in SE, send an email to blackpearlwild@hotmail.com. We hope Bernadette Breu does well in SE.

Moving into The Casey is Caffe Umbria, an Italian cafe from Seattle. I hope this store is similar to their Seattle store located in Pioneer Square. I've visited it and enjoyed what they offer. According to their website, Caffe Umbria offers "an authentic Italian bar experience, complete with expertly pulled expresso drinks, pastries, panini, gelato and fine Italian beer and wines". As I recall both the paninis and pastries were good, and the coffee was terrific (but Stumptown is still my personal favorite). Caffe Umbria expects to open in early or mid December.

You may be familiar with Caffe Umbria, the same family previously owned Torrefazione Italia and had a Pearl District location just across the street where Everett Street Bistro is now located. In 2003 Starbucks acquired both Torrefazione and Seattle's Best Coffee for $70 million. But just 2 years later in 2005 decided to close all Torrefazione retail locations. The brand is still sold in grocery stores.