Sisters Coffee Company is blazing a new trail to the big city this spring with the addition of a second outlet in Portland’s Pearl District. The latest enterprise will be called Sisters Coffee Company – The Pearl and occupies a prime, 1,800 square-foot corner building at NW 13th and Marshall, steps away from Bridgeport Brewery Company.
Owners Winfield and Joy Durham report that final construction details by R & H Construction are in full swing and should be finished next week in time for their soft opening Monday, April 25. Grand opening plans are slated for Memorial Day.
Interior design is being done by Jenny Guggenheim with Fig Studio of Portland. Director of Sales and Marketing Justin Durham grew up with Jeff Guggenheim, Jenny’s husband, making them a special part of the team to help articulate the Sisters vision for its new cafe.
“It’s a perfect spot and the building itself was built with recycled bricks from the historic Blitz-Weinhard’s Brewery. We’re really excited about the timing and opportunity to grow our territory and brand,” said Winfield. “This is our first major march outside the mothership coffee company here in Sisters.”
“We want to replicate that sense of community we formed here in Sisters, the same type of association with the Sisters Coffee brand and our family,” said Joy. “Winfield and I are not leaving the area. Sisters is our home. We’ll be over in Portland a lot to help launch the business at first, meeting people and making sure it gets off to a good start. Justin and Leigh-Anne will be primarily helping here in Sisters and act in a support role. It’s a thrilling venture. The Pearl District is its own bustling little sub-community and the people are incredibly friendly and welcoming.”
Sisters Coffee Company – The Pearl will have more of an urban, rustic feel utilizing native woods and original artwork from an assortment of Pearl District artists.
“People love Sisters and we wanted to bring a little bit of home to Portland,” Joy said. “We have a large customer base in the Portland area that buys our coffee online or finds it in markets or cafes and hope to build on that
existing foothold.”
“Justin first came to us and said he wanted to do a location in the Pearl District,” Winfield recalled. “Joy and I didn’t see it but through time we started getting confirmation that this could be a good thing. This project has been a real step of faith for us with immense challenges.”
The coffee house interior will have a unique style and ambiance. There’ll be a huge, 6-by-9 foot Dan Rickards painting of the Three Sisters Peaks hanging above the fireplace, a modern mezzanine with a community table and large bookcase featuring a Give-A-Book, Take-A-Book library, free Wi-Fi and lots of comfortable couches and corners to gather with friends. They’re planning a new gluten-free section, selling their own fresh pastries, pies and bakery items from neighborhood bakeries, and offering an expanded lunch menu.
“We have many trusted friends that really believe in us and our vision,” said Joy. “Don’t be afraid to expand your business was the message and we took it to heart. Once we realized this was the path set before us, the rest naturally fell into place. We are truly blessed and grateful.”
Over the last five years Sisters Coffee Company expanded its wholesale division to over 40 outlets, including grocery stores and gourmet markets in Portland, Salem and Eugene, as well as over 100 additional retail accounts in restaurants and cafes across seven states.
Clayton Rogers will be The Pearl store’s new general manager. He’s been with the Durhams for over three years, learning the coffee trade in all its various aspects.
“I’m very stoked to bring what we have in Sisters to Portland,” he said, “creating something unique and establishing that small town, community-oriented business feel in the heart of the Pearl District. I’m all settled in and we’re hiring staff and gearing up for our April debut. We hope everyone from the Bend and Sisters area can come visit us.”
