PORTLAND, Ore. — After 22 years, the longtime Portland coffee chain Jim and Patty's Coffee will close its doors on November 11, ending the coffee legacy it started in the Rose City.
The owner Patty Roberts took to Facebook to share the announcement that left community members and longtime customers heartbroken:
- “Thank you to both you and Jim. Coffee People WAS Portland when I first came here in the 90s. and I'm so glad to have had the extra edition for as long as we did.”
- “Thank you for all the coffee and Pig Newtons and great place to wake up with friends! Best wishes for your next chapter. ”
- “Congratulations on fighting the good fight with your business and doing everything you can to overcome and succeed… What a blessing Jim and Patty’s has been through it all! Wendy and I definitely love you and appreciate the high-quality person that you are and dearly miss your husband, our friend and brother, Jim.”
KGW stopped by to chat with customers at their Northeast Fremont store location as some people enjoyed their final cup of coffee and baked goods.
“There are just so many memories here that I can think through,” said Alysia Alvarado.
Alvarado adds she has been a customer at Jim and Patty’s Coffee for over a decade, sharing she spent time here as a college student and now professor.
“It’s just like a staple for everyone to come. It’s definitely really sad. It’s going to be a really big miss for the community to not have this anymore for sure.”
The Facebook announcement reached thousands of people online with hundreds of shares — others found out by word of mouth.
“I heard from a friend a couple of weeks ago, actually,” said longtime customer Kim Hart-Baldridge. “And then I saw a post on Facebook yesterday or the day before that Monday would be their official last day here.”
Roberts started a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of raising $250,000. The fundraising description states:
“It has become clear that we are at a crossroads. The amount of debt we’ve accumulated since COVID-19, ever-rising costs of doing business, and the fact that Patty was mostly focused on the 24 hour care of Jim for the last couple of years rather than the business, means that we’re in trouble. Our two stores are running well, and we have the sweetest, hardest working team in town. We lost our beloved Jim, but his vision still guides us, and Patty is back in the stores. Every day our tables are full and the vibes are good. But if we can’t trim overhead and debt soon, we will be forced to close our doors.”
Roberts has disabled the GoFundMe from receiving new donations, though they did raise nearly $41,000.
KGW asked people the reason why they remained loyal customers over the years:
“Strong sense of community, strong sense of family,” said Kathy Wentzpherps. "It's sad but new beginning for her — for the owner.”
“You just come for the great offerings that they have and good people too,” said Hart-Baldridge. “And best of luck to you [Patty} and wishing you happiness, happiness."
Hours have been shortened at the Fremont St. location, 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. over the weekend.
Roberts and her son were not available for an interview with KGW.
Correction: A previous version of this story said their Beaverton location was staying open.