Updated 9/14: It has now reopened under a new owner.
Streetcar Bistro and Taproom at 1101 NW Northrop closed this afternoon. No word on whether it will reopen under a new owner. The restaurant was well known in the Pearl for having 30 beers on a rotating tap list, and a nice selection of whiskeys.
Always sorry to hear of a closing; I wish them and their employees the best.
<updated> from the owner “My anticipated reopening date is July 15, but that’s still soft at the moment. I won’t go into the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the assumption and reorganization, but suffice it to say, there’s a lot to be done to reopen with the standard I require. We will open operation from Tuesday – Saturday, 3 or 4pm to 10pm, closing at midnight on Fri/Sat. We will become the original vision we had, which was to be a cool beer & brown bar.”
Jim Conachan says
PDX Food Dude. Thanks for your genuineness and frankly, for being nice.
When we started in Sept 2012 we had a plan. However, as a minority shareholder, I had that unfortunate position that my opinion, if it differed from the other majority shareholder, remained just that … an opinion. The story of us closing is a familiar one to not only restaurants, but many other businesses as well. However, it’s sadly a prevalent one in this industry. Simply put, industry benchmarks were not adhered to for COG’s and personal issues got in the way of running the business soundly. Revenue – good, Operating Costs – good, but not enough falling below the Gross Profit line to pay them … and obviously leaving no Net Profit. I’m not divulging anything countless other restaurants and businesses in general don’t struggle with on a daily basis.
I’m one of those guys who hopes my “competition” succeeds, because honestly, it’s better to have lots of choice in the area you operate, than not. If you’re woman on the hunt for shoes, you go where there’s five shoe stores, not one. I think it’s similar with bars and restaurants. I would urge all my struggling restaurant friends to be vigilant about maintaining proven financial principles. It does no good to be lax and then have to close. In the long run, you’re doing your customers, your employees and the community a disservice.
I am reorganizing and will have full responsibility of Streetcar Bistro & Taproom. My anticipated reopening date is July 15, but that’s still soft at the moment. I won’t go into the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the assumption and reorganization, but suffice it to say, there’s a lot to be done to reopen with the standard I require. We will open operation from Tuesday – Saturday, 3 or 4pm to 10pm, closing at midnight on Fri/Sat. We will become the original vision we had, which was to be a cool beer & brown bar.
The best place for right now to get updates is Facebook, because I’m in transition with the website. Please visit facebook.com/streetcarbistro for as many updates as I can provide.
I’m excited, though I’m taking a lot of risk. It is absolutely worth it to me though, to be true to our creditors, to our employees and equally important, our cool little neighborhood we call the Pearl. I live here. It matters to me. Please wish me luck.
Jim
Steve Terreault says
Good luck Jim!