Ebb and Flow: Blue Star to open fifth Portland location


A weekly list of business openings and closings as well as new hires, fires and promotions.

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Openings and Closings

Voodoo Doughnut rival Blue Star is opening its fifth Portland location this weekend. Located in South Waterfront, the shop will open its doors Oct. 8 with free doughnuts until supplies run out. Blue Star is also opening a storefront at the Portland airport in November. 

Gene Fitzsimmons, the owner of Bend’s Taco Stand, is retiring and shuttering the venue after 26 years in business. Never fear taco fans: another Mexican restaurant, Esta Bien, has reportedly purchased the restaurant space.

Wayfinder Beer has officially opened its doors, albeit a few months later than originally intended. The German style beer hall is located on the eastside in an old grain warehouse. The brewery is a joint venture founded by three regional restaurateurs: Charlie Devereux, founder of Hood River’s Double Mountain Brewery & Taproom, Matthew Jacobson of Sizzle Pie and Podnah’s Pit’s Rodney Muirhead.

Dick’s Sporting Goods has opened another location, this time in Medford. The Pittsburgh-based outdoor retailer announced the location will also feature a Field & Stream store. The grand opening is this weekend.

Revolving Door

The Nonprofit Association of Oregon has appointed four new board members: Stephen Marc Beaudoin, Executive Director of PHAME in Portland; Celeste Hill-Thomas, Executive Director of Mid-Columbia Health Foundation in The Dalles; Kendra Morgan, Director of Programs at Shangri La Corporation in Salem; and Matthew Scott, Director of Operations at National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) in Portland.

Mountain Hardwear president John Walbrecht resigned last week saying he wanted to spend more time with his family. Walbrecht joined the company in March. Columbia president Bryan Timm, will serve as interim president until a replacement is found. Mountain Hardwear is a subsidy of Portland’s Columbia Sportswear.