PORTLAND, Ore. — After 32 years in business, Kornblatt's Delicatessen on Northwest 23rd Avenue announced that it will be closing its doors by the end of the month. The news left some Portlanders saddened.
"I've never been to New York, but I want to go to New York now. Just based off being at Kornblatt's," said Jacob Thompson, a first-time customer. "It's a little hard to hear. But it's like, how many times in the next 10 days or so can I get down here?"
The order line was out the door on Tuesday. And while some customers waited for their first Kornblatt's meal, like Thompson, others were on their 100th meal.
"I'm sitting here and just before this started I was crying,” said Donna Page, who has been a regular customer since Kornblatt's opened back in 1991. “It's hard to see go. It really is.”
Page is Jewish and said she's found a sense of community at Kornblatt's, along with the pastrami, bagels and matzo ball soup. And like many longtime customers, Page is heartbroken to hear about the closure.
"I watched Roses go, I've watched other delis go. And it's like losing another piece of you,” said Page. “It's where I've dragged my kids and my grandkids to come and connect them in another way — with who we are."
The owner said he made this decision after seeing business change during the pandemic — and it made it more difficult to stay open. He also cites rising food and labor costs a reason for his decision.
And while goodbye's are always difficult — Page has one last message to the owners:
"Thanks for the memories. And I miss Kramer up on the wall — they took him down."
March 31 will be the last day Kornblatt's will be open. Henry Higgins Boiled Bagels has bought the space and will be opening as early as May 1.