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Business Update February 2025

[February 4, 2025]


Welcome to this edition of the Hillsdale Business Update, in which we strive to keep you apprised of moves, news, and happenings in the commercial district. If you have anything to add, please get in touch.


And don't forget, if you have a recommendation to share with your Hillsdale neighbors, send us an email and we'll include it in our Readers Recommend column.


Lighter, brighter streets

Have you noticed anything different over the past few weeks? Like, maybe, thousands of new lights in the trees along Capitol Hwy?


New street-tree lights installed by the city.
New street-tree lights installed by the city.

Almost three years ago, Mayor Ted Wheeler established the Public Environment Management Office (PEMO) to address livability issues in Portland neighborhoods. PEMO's signature initiative has brought more lighting to sidewalks and storefronts, improving dark sidewalks and public spaces to increase safety and community presence in the commercial districts.


Hillsdale is one of the latest neighborhoods to take part in this program, in which property or business owners supply elecricity and the city takes care of permitting, installation, and maintenance.


Paloma Co-owner Mike Roach, along with property owner Chris Braidwood Reid, have long wished for a more welcoming night-time experience for Hillsdale. Upon installation of the lights, a delighted Roach enthused, "This is the best thing to happen to Hillsdale in 49 years!"


Owners Joe Shum Seruto (left) and Vicente Shum Seruto (right) behind the counter.
Owners Joe Shum Seruto (left) and Vicente Shum Seruto (right) behind the counter.
Comfy new coffee spot now open

PDX Coffee Club, a gourmet coffee cart, has moved into a sunny corner of Please Louise next door to OnPoint Community Credit Union. By day, PDX Coffee Club serves up locally roasted coffees, teas, and savory and sweet treats. Come late afternoon, Please Louise takes over with its menu of pizza, pasta, salads and apps.


In a win for the neighborhood, the arrangement opens up this large and comfortable space to new daytime opportunities for the community to meet, sip, and snack.


Local roasters represented include Heart Coffee Roasters, Proud Mary, and Mizuba Tea's matcha. Food offerings come from Red Hen Bagelry and Jen's Pastries. Future plans include a light breakfast menu in collaboration with Please Louise.


Hillsdale residents Joe Shum Seruto and Vicente Shum Seruto debuted PDX Coffee Club in a food hall on SW 2nd Ave in 2023. The sale of the building and the general malaise downtown motivated them to move their operations to Hillsdale, where they are now "super excited" to be serving the local community.


PDX Coffee Club: Tuesday-Sunday, 6:30am-3pm (Mondays coming soon)

Please Louise: Tuesday-Sunday 4-9pm; Happy Hour is 4-5pm Tuesday-Saturday and all day Sunday


Preschool Wins in "Best-Of" Vote

Portland Kinderschule is a non-profit co-op preschool and summer camp right here in Hillsdale. Operating out of rented space in St. Barnabas Chuch on Vermont, the school provides German-language immersion learning for young kids through daily routines, songs, stories, and interactions with teachers, parents, and peers. In 2024, the school won the #1 spot for summer camps in Portland and #3 spot for preschools in the Best of the Rose City Awards.


New management

As of June 2024, the Hillsdale UPS Store has new owners. Since taking ownership, Sakina Marvia and her team have been "on a mission to improve customer satisfaction and create a welcoming environment." Positive results of the new focus reflected in improved Google ratings over the past few months, she said.


—Valeurie Friedman

 

Anything to add? Let us know.





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