A weekly list of business openings and closings, as well as new hires, fires and promotions.
Openings and Closings
— Pine Street Market just opened three months ago, but one restaurant has already left. Common Law closed quietly August 10. Chef Patrick McKee reportedly said the fast paced atmosphere was too different from his fine dining background. Common Law will be replaced by a Southern barbecue/Korean project.
— Portland’s Food Fight! Grocery, an all-vegan grocery store, will open its second location at Northeast 111th and Halsey. The announcement came after rumors spread that a competitor, German company Veganz, would open its own vegan grocery. Those rumors appear unfounded at this time, leaving Food Fight! the main all-vegan grocer in Portland.
— Another wine tasting room will open Friday in Eugene. Sweet Cheeks Winery & Vineyard chose the Fifth Street Public Market for its location. The winery opened in 1978, with its on-site tasting room opening in 2005.
— MOD Pizza, based in Seattle, is opening two locations in Eugene in the coming fall months. The pizza chain says it chose Eugene for the hearty college student population. MOD is already open in several located in the Portland metro area and Salem.
— Tigard-based ID Experts was acquired by a private equity firm for $50 million. The company created technology that can monitor for a data breach and set off a quick response. The sale was one of the largest this summer, but the new owner has not been revealed. It’s not clear if the Tigard offices, which employ 59, will remain open.
— Hermiston is losing its Office Max, although no closure date has been released. Office Max has closed 400 stores in the past two years, and intends to close 300 more in the next three years.
Revolving Door
The Portland Development Commission has selected its new executive director. Kimberly Branam will replace Patrick Quinton who resigned after five years in June. Branam will take her post Aug. 22. She previously served as the PDC’s deputy director for the past five years. She will be only the third woman in the role.
Bob McKean, former superintendent for the East Portland school district, is now the interim Portland Public Schools superintendent. The position was left open more than a month ago by Carole Smith who resigned amid the lead water scandal. McKean was the lone finalist after the other candidate withdrew. A permanent replacement is expected within the year.
