Morchella | Kara Stokes Photography Mama Bird is closing its doors to make way for a new restaurant, and more notable restaurant closures This is a curated list of Portland’s most notable and permanent restaurant and bar closures. See a closing we missed? Then drop us a line. January 23 BUCKMAN — The Thai brunch-and-dinner spot Kai Yang, from the owners of Somtum Thai Kitchen, has shut down just four months after opening in September. “Unfortunately, we faced substantial financial difficulties that compelled us to cease operations,” the owners wrote on Instagram. Somtum, located inside the Portland State University campus, is still open. CONCORDIA — It seems Morchella is going the way of pop-ups: Chef Cameron Dunlap announced via Instagram that the restaurant took a break “to refocus on the dream of foraging and farming as much of the menu as possible, and reaching new levels with our food and the experience” and is letting go of its restaurant space. For the time being, Morchella is popping up inside Bonne Chance, with pop-up dinners planned around the city. KERNS — On January 2 the Aimsir Distilling Company announced that it was closing its taproom and restaurant, the Emerald Room. As Willamette Week reported, the distillery said on Instagram that it nearly closed in 2023 but revived itself thanks to a partnership with chef Cyrus Ichiza. However, “achieving long-term stability proved elusive,” the distillery owners wrote. LENTS — Bridgetown Bites caught word that Sandy’s Myanmar Cuisine has left the CORE building. Sandy’s closed as of Friday, January 10, and it’s unclear if it will reopen elsewhere. NORTHWEST DISTRICT — Bridgetown Bites also confirmed that Caffe and Barba Mingo will remain permanently closed after an August 2024 fire forced the cafe to close its doors. Now, Bridgetown confirmed that Caffe will not return after receiving a message that the owner “has retired from the restaurant business.” OLD TOWN — Japanese ramen chain Afuri has closed its Old Town location, one of the few restaurants the company operates outside of Japan. In a statement, Afuri USA CEO Taichi Ishizuki blamed “lingering negative perception of downtown safety” for reducing foot traffic in the area. Afuri’s other Portland location in Buckman remains open. January 9 PORTLAND METRO — Local doughnut chain Blue Star Donuts closed two of its shops — the North Mississippi Avenue and Lake Oswego locations — as of Wednesday, January 1. In an Instagram post, the Blue Star team says the decision to close the two shops was difficult, but stated it was necessary “to ensure the long-term stability of Blue Star as we head into our 13th year.” The remaining locations at South Waterfront, Goose Hollow, Division Street, and the Portland airport are still open. KING — Masala Lab will close its doors as of Sunday, January 26, Bridgetown Bites reports. Chef and owner Deepak Saxena confirmed the news, and he’ll return to running his DesiPDX cart at the Prost Marketplace pod following a two-week break that starts on January 26. NOB HILL — Anna Bannanas is closing up shop after 35 years in business, the Portland Business Journal reports. The cafe at 1213 N.W. 21st Street closed on Tuesday, January 7, and the owners cited the cost of ingredients and lack of foot traffic, the outlet states. “It has been an honor to serve you for the past 35 years,” the closing announcement reads. “The coffee community will always live on as long as two people can get together for a cup of joe.” NORTHWEST — Mama Bird is flying the coop and closing as of Sunday, January 26, the Oregonian reports. It’s not entirely sad news, however: Chef Gabriel Pascuzzi plans to renovate the five-year-old restaurant and change up the concept to Bistecca, “a wood-fired steakhouse with Italian touches,” according to the outlet. BEAVERTON — Pip’s Original Doughnuts & Chai announced on Sunday, December 29, that it shut down its Beaverton location. Owners Nate and Jamie Snell cited economic conditions that have “radically deteriorated” in the last two years, writing in an Instagram post that “It became clear to us that our space was far too large, the rent increases by the property management company were too aggressive, so we started exploring ways to reduce our rent and overhead.” Unfortunately, an understanding was never reached, they say, and the Snells say they were forced to close the shop. The Portland location remains open.