This Week in the Mercury

This Ain't Tales of the City

Books

This Ain't Tales of the City

Kevin Killian's Spreadeagle Is an Ambitious Novel of Gay Life


So You Think You Can Arabesque?

Film

So You Think You Can Arabesque?

First Position: Dancing Kids with Bloody Feet!



  |  

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Food Star-E Rose Going Out of Business After 13 Years

Posted by Sarah Mirk on Thu, Jan 26, 2012 at 9:44 AM

62224_439041861601_185490736601_5039405_8016424_n.jpeg

Northeast Alberta's oldest coffee shop is shutting its doors after 13 years on the street: The Star-E Rose announced today that a combination of business and personal issues are leading them to close down.

The location will stay a coffeeshop—it's been sold to the people who run Anna Bannana's in St. Johns and Northwest—however, anyone who's ever walked by Star-E Rose and had to step over customers sprawled out playing banjos or spotted one of its patrons or literally hanging from the tree outside knows that the coffeeshop has a whole community of its own.

For several years, the cafe got a lot of its color from its insane neighbor Clown House and after the clowns got booted from living on Alberta, Star-E Rose was still somewhat of a haven for the folks who didn't fit in on the street's sleeker establishments. It's last hurrah is scheduled for next Tuesday night, January 31st, but "arts, music, and moments of spontaneity lasting all week, come by and pay your respects" will last all week, says Star-E Rose "employee and participant" Hollie Sundin.

The cafe will be closed for about six weeks for renovations before becoming an Anna Bannana's location.

 

Comments (13) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment
1
"Anna Bannanas," not "Anna Bananas."
Posted by Sonia Ruiz on January 26, 2012 at 10:48 AM · Report
2
Anna Bann is terrible, but so is this place. So I don't think we're losing anything on the trade. We’re just swapping one horrible dive with bad coffee for another; though arguably Anna Bann has microwavable vegan food.
Posted by Fruit Cup on January 26, 2012 at 11:38 AM · Report
3
Star-e Rose had some of the worst service in Portland. I used to live a block away, and really wanted it to be my coffee house, but after being treated to indifferent staff and pretty poor coffee a number of times, I chose to take my money to Townshend's tea...which is 1000's times better. Glad it is stay a local coffee shop, but I will not miss it!
Posted by dloitz on January 26, 2012 at 2:20 PM · Report
4
I don't know, fruityass. I have been a loyal AB's customer for ten years and they have some damn good coffee. The food isn't bad...they source from local bakeries and such. It's arguable that microwaving might make vegan food actually taste better, no? Regardless, Anna's will bring a flavor all its own...Alberta might dig it. I hope so.
Posted by dootdadoome on January 26, 2012 at 7:43 PM · Report
5
I will sorely miss the Star E. Rose. Thank you for holding space for the not-so-hipsters, for opening your walls to local artists, for affordable vittles, and for the down-to-earth vibe.
Posted by Lane on January 26, 2012 at 8:06 PM · Report
6
I think the owner of AB just figured out how to use the internet. Twice.
Posted by Fruit Cup on January 26, 2012 at 10:01 PM · Report
7
I trend towards my Supportland-steeped brews anyway...
Posted by Bugzy on January 27, 2012 at 7:01 AM · Report
8
It's its! It's its! "Its last hurrah." Sorry, but, well, uh, I mean, really, I mean, we can do this, right?
Posted by It'self on January 27, 2012 at 10:33 AM · Report
9
Even though they served awful Schlobos coffee, it is a shame that the star e rose is over. What a great place! And what, no mention of Magnus J's role in keeping last thursday rolling? Or of free donuts, free coffee, and construction jobs on hiliariously disfunctional projects for the 'vagabonds'?

To me, this is just another sign of Portland becoming more and more of a playground for yuppies and trust fund kids and less of a place where real humans live and work. Alberta street these days is just really, really gross.
Posted by williamsbldg on January 27, 2012 at 10:38 AM · Report
10
That is too bad. It's a great jam venue and a real community center. I hope AB's keeps up the chill vibe.
Posted by altogetherPDX on January 27, 2012 at 11:32 AM · Report
11
since when is anna bannanas a playground for yuppies and trust fund kids? f-ing haters, y'all are.
Posted by downwithoblivion on January 27, 2012 at 5:45 PM · Report
12
As someone who has been going to Star E Rose since it opened, I'd like to say that it was a place of unaffected, unpretentious hospitality largely sustained by genuine affection for its patrons and its support of people from all walks of life, not just the ones with money. Sure the art was not always great and the decor a bit shabby, but the quiche, coffee and relaxed, convivial atmosphere made all of that irrelevant. My husband and I will miss this place a great deal, even mourn its passing, as it was a remnant of the old Alberta where money didn't rule everything.
Posted by myrtle on February 4, 2012 at 2:47 PM · Report
13
I visit Portland from Australia each year. Johnny D's jam on Tuesday nights was always a highlight, I was made welcome and met some real cats. Star E Rose welcomed all.
Posted by Kent Parkstreet on February 17, 2012 at 4:15 PM · Report

Add a comment

Our Friends

Our Enemies

/images/adoftheweek.gif

ad of the day

The Handyman Pro - Your Honey-Do Specialist
Don’t let our name fool you. The Handyman Pro, LLC is a repair and remodel service provider with over 25-years experience. We cover all aspects of construction and repairs for residential and commercial clients.go


post an ad

All contents © Index Newspapers, LLC

115 SW Ash St. Suite 600
Portland, OR 97204

Contact Info | Privacy Policy | Production Guidelines | Terms of Use