Portland’s famous ice cream shop may leave the state

A renowned ice cream company has threatened to transfer its offices out of Portland, Oregon, as crime, drug abuse, and homelessness continue to plague the progressive Democratic city.

According to its website, Salt & Straw was designed as a communal gathering spot.

It was established as a parlor in 2011 and immediately became renowned as one of the top scoop shops in the United States, further enhancing Portland’s status as one of the best cuisine cities in America.

Wednesday, co-founder Kim Malek stated that if nothing changes, her company will be compelled to depart.

Malek told Oregon Live: “We would consider every possibility.”

‘We don’t have concrete plans. However, we intend to remain in our home and work with the city and county to find a solution. Portland is a part of our company’s soul. We cherish this city. This is about providing a secure working environment for our staff.

Crime and homeless encampments that have moved from the city to the suburbs have driven out a large number of businesses and citizens.

Someone pointed a gun at the head of a Salt & Straw employee in a recent incident, according to civic advocate Thomas Lauderdale, who sent an email to two dozen community leaders in Portland City Hall, Multnomah County, and Oregon’s congressional office.

The email describes more occurrences that occurred near the headquarters, including a fire at an RV parked nearby that caused a power outage.

Homeless individuals utilize dilapidated RVs across the city, and they are frequently found parked near encampments.

The Democratic city’s downtown is one of the most desolate in the United States, as rising crime rates and homelessness frighten away both residents and tourists.

In 2021, due to an increase in gun violence, there were 90 killings, shattering the previous record of 66 set more than three decades prior. 72 murders have been documented thus far in 2022.

On Monday, the RV fire near the company’s headquarters knocked out a transformer, cutting electricity to Salt & Straw and many other companies.

Lauderdale described the fire and firearm incident in his email.

“Their lease expires in April, and although it will cost them millions upon millions of dollars to relocate, they have reached their breaking point and intend to move out of state,” wrote Lauderdale.

This is less of a homeless problem and more of a health, public safety, and drug one. The schizophrenia we’re observing, the violence, and the flames are all fed by drugs, and this must be addressed promptly.

Malek, who co-founded the company in Portland with her cousin Tyler Malek, told Oregon Live that she does not want the company to relocate and would rather work with local officials to find a solution.

She stated, “It’s incredibly difficult for a lot of folks right now.” “I’m not here to assign blame. I wish to contribute to the solution. She has not said where Salt & Straw may go, although the company currently has parlors around the United States, including Florida.

Malek added that she is interested in studying the possibility of cutting off the flow of drugs into Portland, which she says fuels crime.

Malek stated, “If we cannot make it safe, I cannot remain here.” It is not my responsibility to place my team in that situation.

Residents and business owners have complained for months that rising violence and homelessness threaten their quality of life and security.

Malek stated, “Our objective is to work through this.” “I cannot remain if we do not.”

The ice cream shop began in Portland, Oregon, but now has locations around the United States, including Seattle, Los Angeles, San Diego, Miami, and even Disney World.

Early in the month of November, Jason Bolt, the owner of Revant Optics, who has also threatened to leave the neighborhood, testified at City Hall that his staff feel frightened traveling to work.

Bolt stated, “If the city does not take care of its inhabitants and provide a safe environment for businesses to operate, then we will leave.” We must prioritize the safety of our teams.

Tim Boyle, the chief executive officer of Columbia Sportswear, also received the email from Lauderdale, which stated that the Sorel brand will relocate its downtown Portland offices to the parent company’s Washington County location in early 2019.

In reaction to the prospective relocation of the ice cream business, he stated, ‘I’m not surprised.’ It is a difficulty.’

Within a radius of less than 150 square miles, there are more than 700 homeless encampments in Portland, and the situation has led to a dramatic increase in crime in the area.

Some of the most picturesque, stylish, and wealthy sections in the city in the Pacific Northwest are now plagued with tent cities that pack residential walkways and are filled with trash, which is frightening away both locals and tourists.

In November of last year, the Portland City Council raced to reimburse the police after defunding them by more than $15 million in 2020. Officials voted to increase the force’s budget by $5,4 million.

When police funding was cut in 2020, the Portland Police Bureau experienced an avalanche of retirements and resignations.

After Floyd’s death, the number of shootings and killings in Portland increased dramatically. In the first six months after Floyd’s death, the number of homicides in the city increased by 250 percent, while the number of gunshots soared by about 175 percent.


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