Given its size, the New Columbia community in North Portland is woefully underserved by coffee shops and food outlets. It’s welcome news then that Columbia International Cup opened its doors last week, a café that also plans on becoming something of a cultural hub for the neighborhood as well. In a bright space (literally—the walls are yellow and red) they serve World Cup organic coffee along with a good selection of teas from Jasmine Pearl, and some house-made smoothies. They also have a small assortment of Panini’s and pastries and will be adding breakfast burritos and kid’s cereal—it’s a distinctly child-friendly café, complete with a play space that has toys and books.
Evenings will feature occasional cultural events (they’ve already had one, a launch for Ahjamu Umi’s new novel), while the walls are given over to local artists (Intisar Abioto is currently showing her Black Portlander series of portraits). The staff, meanwhile, radiate enthusiasm and couldn’t be more welcoming—no too-cool-for-school baristas here. It’s still early days, but they are planning to expand to their menu and roster of events, including tie-ins to benefit local schools; it’s a cafe where the community really is as important as the coffee. Columbia International Cup, 9022 N Newman, daily 7 am-4 pm, 477-9716
Hellz ya. Good shit for real