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What fewer children means for Portland

The effects stretch from classrooms to the job market.

News

The West is home to fewer children than it was five years ago, according to new census data.Why it matters: Portland&#x27;s been grappling with this demographic shift for years — declining classroom enrollment, an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="aging population" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/07/16/aging-population-baby-boomers-oregon-economy" data-vars-content-id="57c3ea18-e52c-4870-b9e8-6ae5213b2813" data-vars-headline="What fewer children means for Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/07/16/aging-population-baby-boomers-oregon-economy" target="_self">aging population</a>, slower population growth — and it could drastically reshape the local economy.

Everything to know about Portland Arts Week

Dozens of galleries, museums and bookstores are participating.

Things to Do

Portland&#x27;s first-ever Arts Week kicks off Thursday with dozens of free events designed to showcase the city&#x27;s robust arts ecosystem.Why it matters: The theme is sports, capitalizing on two of Portland&#x27;s biggest audiences and the excitement building around our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new WNBA team" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/10/portland-fire-record-wnba-debut-crowd" data-vars-content-id="9422989a-0cad-48c4-816d-03a170b7ddf1" data-vars-headline="Everything to know about Portland Arts Week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/10/portland-fire-record-wnba-debut-crowd" target="_self">new WNBA team</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/06/09/world-cup-watch-parties-portland-bars-fans" data-vars-content-id="9422989a-0cad-48c4-816d-03a170b7ddf1" data-vars-headline="Everything to know about Portland Arts Week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/06/09/world-cup-watch-parties-portland-bars-fans" target="_self">the World Cup</a>.

A Polish family recipe powers Portland's newest pop-up

Kuzyn's handmade pierogi are selling out.

Food and Drink

Three cousins have turned a century-old family recipe into one of Portland&#x27;s newest pop-ups this summer. <ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kuzyn" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/kuzynpdx/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="5b3f0765-bf27-4613-8ae8-ded84161c18e" data-vars-headline="A Polish family recipe powers Portland&#x27;s newest pop-up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/kuzynpdx/?hl=en" target="_blank">Kuzyn</a> serves handmade Polish pierogi inspired by the meals they ate growing up together. </li></ul>The big picture: Kyle Broughton, Dan Skuret and Griffin Bariluk launched Kuzyn earlier this year after realizing Portland lacked options for the traditional Eastern European dish.

Nimblefish chef to open Sushi Fukami downtown

With only eight seats and 23 courses, reservations are sure to fill up fast.

Chef Cody Auger, the force behind Portland&#x27;s much-celebrated Nimblefish, is bringing a more intimate vision downtown with Sushi Fukami, an eight-seat omakase restaurant opening next month.The big picture: After a decade of building Nimblefish into one of the city&#x27;s most acclaimed sushi counters, Auger told Axios the new project is his chance to focus on a style of preparation rooted in traditional Japanese Edomae cuisine — meticulously cured seasonally driven bites.

Scotch Lodge, Nodoguro win James Beard honors

Two local standouts added major honors to Portland's food scene.

Portland restaurants and bars had a strong showing at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="James Beard Awards" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/31/james-beard-finalists-portland-chefs-restaurants-2026" data-vars-content-id="579123b5-c99a-476c-bb83-42699805b6df" data-vars-headline="Scotch Lodge, Nodoguro win James Beard honors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/31/james-beard-finalists-portland-chefs-restaurants-2026" target="_self">James Beard Awards</a> in Chicago Monday, bringing home two of the culinary world&#x27;s most prestigious honors. Why it matters: Portland has been on a hot streak over the last few years, picking up big wins in heavy-hitter categories and cementing us as an innovative food city.

Kann continues to live up to the hype

From griyo to kowosól, the menu remains impressive.

Nearly three years after the much-buzzed-about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kann" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/11/19/andrea-damewood-best-restaurants-kaede-cafe-olli-kann" data-vars-content-id="752c8120-6f92-4034-bb29-f9eb9f483f39" data-vars-headline="Kann continues to live up to the hype" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/11/19/andrea-damewood-best-restaurants-kaede-cafe-olli-kann" target="_self">Kann</a> opened in Southeast Portland, chef Gregory Gourdet&#x27;s ode to his Haitian lineage continues to impress.Best bites: It&#x27;s hard to go wrong anywhere on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="menu" data-vars-click-url="https://kannrestaurant.com/menu" data-vars-content-id="752c8120-6f92-4034-bb29-f9eb9f483f39" data-vars-headline="Kann continues to live up to the hype" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://kannrestaurant.com/menu" target="_blank">menu</a> — the whole kitchen is gluten- and dairy-free — and I&#x27;ve yet to be disappointed by a dish there.

Salt & Straw explores sale at $200M valuation

The Oregon ice cream brand is weighing a deal to support future growth.

Business

Portland&#x27;s long-running ice cream icon, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Salt &amp; Straw" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/28/salt-straw-s-new-chef-collabs-look-wildly-good" data-vars-content-id="b54074e7-2646-4097-84a1-df309bd35df7" data-vars-headline="Salt &amp; Straw explores sale at $200M valuation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/28/salt-straw-s-new-chef-collabs-look-wildly-good" target="_self">Salt &amp; Straw</a>, is up for sale at a valuation of roughly $200 million, per media reports.Why it matters: A sale could help fund the artisan frozen confectioner&#x27;s next phase of growth as the brand expands beyond its West Coast roots.

Fremont Garage turns old auto shop into food cart plaza

Plus: The adjacent street will close to traffic in July to pilot a community plaza.

A 100-year-old automotive garage has been transformed into a food cart pod and community plaza on a popular stretch of Northeast Fremont.The big picture: Once home to Barrett Automotive, Fremont Garage is opening just before Memorial Day and will host nearly a dozen food carts in a revamped, racing-themed space designed to feel less like a parking lot and more like a neighborhood &quot;town square,&quot; general manager Tyler Caffal told Axios.

Well-seasoned smash burgers at Southeast Portland's Steely's

Steely's pairs crisp smash burgers with beer and a relaxed hangout vibe.

Smash <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="burgers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/11/portland-s-burger-week-2025-brings-record-100-restaurant-lineup" data-vars-content-id="cecd81bd-0727-4c29-94cf-83f51e3cc720" data-vars-headline="Well-seasoned smash burgers at Southeast Portland&#x27;s Steely&#x27;s" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/11/portland-s-burger-week-2025-brings-record-100-restaurant-lineup" target="_self">burgers</a> have become the norm in recent years, but finding a good one is still a challenge.What to expect: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Steely&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/steelys_pdx/" data-vars-content-id="cecd81bd-0727-4c29-94cf-83f51e3cc720" data-vars-headline="Well-seasoned smash burgers at Southeast Portland&#x27;s Steely&#x27;s" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/steelys_pdx/" target="_blank">Steely&#x27;s</a>, a new spot on Southeast Hawthorne, delivers with tasty burgers, a nice tap list of beers and ample space to take a date, watch a game or even get some remote work done.

The lines at Pipsqueak Bagels are worth it

Pipsqueak doubled production to 2,000 bagels daily after early sellouts, but you'll still want to get there early.

If you head to Portland&#x27;s hottest bagel destination — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pipsqueak Bagels" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/09/pipsqueak-bagels-opens-with-new-york-style-hype" data-vars-content-id="97383bdf-c021-4da3-948b-e7643538708d" data-vars-headline="The lines at Pipsqueak Bagels are worth it" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/09/pipsqueak-bagels-opens-with-new-york-style-hype" target="_self">Pipsqueak Bagels</a> — expect pillowy sandwiches, savory schmears and lines that stretch down the block.

Franz turns 120: Why its outlet deals are worth the trip

Portlanders are lucky to have three outlets offering products at steep discounts.

<figure><img alt="Animated sign shaped like a loaf of bread atop a building reads Franz Bakery, Since 1906, with the wrapper twisting as if unwrapping. Blue sky, power lines crossing, tree leaves in corner above the roof." height="457" id="20b0d743-e7e5-4caf-b297-769fab25887c" src="https://images.axios.com/1GG0F5t3o04igRWvXGpPSXRW-lg=/2026/04/10/1775849021048.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Fun fact: The spinning bread sign weighs 5,000 pounds and was installed to celebrate Franz&#x27;s 50th anniversary in 1956. Image: Meira Gebel/Axios</figcaption></figure>In 1906, three Austrian-born brothers purchased their uncle&#x27;s bakery, launching what became Franz Bakery — a Portland institution known for producing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nearly a million" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pdxmonthly.com/news-and-city-life/2026/04/franz-bakery-buns-bread-portland" data-vars-content-id="6755af2d-874f-4572-a214-98050f3d5a52" data-vars-headline="Franz turns 120: Why its outlet deals are worth the trip" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pdxmonthly.com/news-and-city-life/2026/04/franz-bakery-buns-bread-portland" target="_blank">nearly a million</a> buns and rolls per day at its five-block headquarters in Kerns.The big picture: Franz has grown into one of the West&#x27;s largest family-owned bakeries over the last 120 years. It now has multiple brands under its umbrella and sells dozens of pantry staples, including classic and specialty loaves as well as a variety of baked goods.

Oregon diners leave higher tips than West Coast neighbors

Diners are still spilt on whether they prefer tipping or paying a service fee.

When dining out, Oregonians tend to leave a 19% tip or higher on average, per Toast&#x27;s latest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="restaurant trends report" data-vars-click-url="https://pos.toasttab.com/blog/data/toast-restaurant-trends-report-coffee-prices-2026" data-vars-content-id="6a955075-8a97-426f-aae5-163cda107995" data-vars-headline="Oregon diners leave higher tips than West Coast neighbors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pos.toasttab.com/blog/data/toast-restaurant-trends-report-coffee-prices-2026" target="_blank">restaurant trends report</a>.The big picture: That&#x27;s about the same as the nationwide average for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tips" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/01/no-tax-on-tips-jobs-trump-bill" data-vars-content-id="6a955075-8a97-426f-aae5-163cda107995" data-vars-headline="Oregon diners leave higher tips than West Coast neighbors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/01/no-tax-on-tips-jobs-trump-bill" target="_self">tips</a> left at full-service restaurants in Q4 2025, but higher than both our West Coast neighbors.

Food and Drink 🍽

Six Portland-area ice cream shops launch cherry dessert crawl

A Polish family recipe powers Portland's newest pop-up

Nimblefish chef to open Sushi Fukami downtown

Fifty Licks returns near its Burnside home

Scotch Lodge, Nodoguro win James Beard honors