The revamped and newly renamed Midtown Beer Garden is set to open in downtown Portland next Sunday.
The remodeled downtown lunch spot has been expanded through a partnership between software company Expensify, which is based in the nearby First National Bank Building, and restaurant group ChefStable.
In addition to upgraded amenities for the foot carts, the refreshed space has a stage for live music. An opening party is slated for Aug. 20 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will feature a headlining set by The Last Artful, Dodgr, as well as performances by The Shivas and Boka Marimba.
The pod is located near downtown blocks in which fentanyl sellers ply their trade to buyers, who generally use the highly addictive drug in plain sight.
“We want to bring back the liveliness and vibrancy of our neighborhood that was lost somewhere along the way during the pandemic,” said David Barrett, founder and CEO of Expensify in a written statement. “All of us at Expensify are huge fans of the food cart culture here, and it was such a shame to see its slow decline over the past few years. This revamped experience will remind everyone that the heart of our city still beats strong, and hopefully stoke a renaissance for surrounding businesses as well.”
The Midtown Beer Garden project was first announced in May. It sits on Southwest Fifth Avenue between Harvey Milk and Oak streets. The cart pod at the site is the city's oldest.
Fracture Brewing will run a central beer cart at the pod, at which picnic tables will seat 300 people. The site now has permanent restrooms that are cleaned daily, tents and heaters for the winter and a fenced perimeter with 24/7 security for the carts.
Expensify leased the site of the Midtown Beer Garden for about seven years. The company is investing somewhere between $100,000 and $1 million in the project, Barrett said when first announcing the project.
Expensify (Nasdaq: EXFY) Expensify makes software that employees in large and small businesses use for expense reimbursement, invoices and bill pay. The company, which last year had revenue of $169.5 million, has a distributed team. It has 146 total employees.
The company is using its own platform to facilitate a benefit allowing first responders to eat free at the cart pod while they're on duty. Responders can sign up online for the benefit, which is extended to police, fire, ambulance and Portland Clean & Safe personnel.
Iron Strike Smashburgers is one of the new pod's carts. Owner Jesse Green said the effort is bringing the community home again.
“The upgrade to this location fills a real void in the neighborhood, and we’re more than ready to serve anyone craving one-of-a-kind Portland cuisine in a family-friendly atmosphere,” he said.
