Preserving Portland’s Culture of Coffee & Kindness Since 1994
When Susan and Jason Thomas first came to Portland in 2011, they did what a lot of folks do: They looked for a neighborhood coffee shop with good Wi-Fi, where they could hole up for a while to update their resumes and look for jobs. They stumbled into Coffee Time right in the heart of NW and instantly fell in love. It immediately became their go-to hangout spot. It’s where they made their first friends in their newly adopted home town. They loved the atmosphere, the artwork on the walls, the people – and, of course, the great food and coffee. So when the opportunity for Susan to buy Coffee Time came up a few years later, they jumped at the chance to join Chanh Mai in becoming stewards for this local treasure and to shepherd it into the modern era of great Portland coffee houses.
Susan Thomas at Coffee Time.
At the heart of NW Portland’s Indy Culture
Coffee Time first opened in the early days of Portland’s burgeoning coffee culture…and a high point of Portland’s indy culture, as well. The Music Millennium record store was still on NW 23rd Avenue. Longtime cherished hotspots Blue Moon Tavern, Cinema 21 and The Gypsy were just a few blocks away. This was the Portland heyday of legendary Portland independents Coffee People and Macheezmo Mouse, back when NW Portland was Portland’s original street-shopping district, drawing visitors from far and wide for its concentration of boutique shops, eateries and nightlife.
If you stepped into Coffee Time back then, you’d have immediately noticed the quirky hand-painted artwork on the walls and the whimsical Coffee Time clock on the wall. You’d have appreciated the quirky characters – folks from all walks of life – hanging out reading books, playing board games, or in deep conversation in any of the many comfy spots and nooks in the back of the shop. And because Coffee Time has always existed to be a neighborhood hub, you’d have appreciated that it was open until midnight, a comfortable place to hang out after catching an indy film at Cinema 21 – a place for students to study and local clubs to gather.
A coffee shop with a history of staying open late.
Paying it forward, Portland-style
Over the many years since, the team at Coffee Time have worked hard to preserve the original spirit of the place, while staying current with the times. When Coffee Time was forced to close for repairs in 2017 due to a burst water pipe, we had to tear out and rebuild walls and replace furniture, leading to the first significant remodel since opening.
Much of the original artwork was damaged and lost, but true to Coffee Time’s original spirit, the team tapped local graphic artist and customer Arnold Pander (of the Pander Brothers) to create the new murals and artwork that now adorn the walls and tables.
The menu has improved over the years, as well. In addition to coffee, you’ll now find locally-made kombucha, and we’ve recently added local beers to our offerings. All of our ingredients are locally-sourced, and the pastries are delivered fresh daily. Jason and Susan even started their own coffee-roasting business, so our Cascadia Coffee is proudly served here.
Carrying on a tradition since our earliest days, the artwork on our walls changes monthly. Stop in and browse the latest artworks offered for sale by our great local artist customers. And if you’d like to display your artwork here, just let us know.
Thank you, friend
But it’s the people who truly make this a cherished neighborhood place. Our team could work anywhere in Portland, but they’ve stayed with us for many years and are fully invested in the spirit of Coffee Time. If you have a question about the neighborhood, ask them, and they’re happy to help.
And we couldn’t do it without our customers. This is truly a place where you’re always welcome.
Three quarters of the people we see every day are regulars from the neighborhood, people who, like Susan and Jason, walked in one day and immediately knew this is their hangout. If you’re new to town (or just visiting), stop by and have a cup of coffee and enjoy a bite to eat where the locals do.
Thank you for supporting the small, independent businesses that make our neighborhood great. If you value kindness and inclusivity as much as we do, you’ll feel right at home.
There’s always a place for you here.