On November 2, via an Instagram post, the much loved Central Eastside staple, Lollipop Shoppe announced that they plan on closing their doors around Thanksgiving this year (November 27) due to financial stress. The venue will continue hosting shows until its closure, with show announcements being shared out via Instagram and the Shoppe’s website.
Since opening its doors in 2022, Lollipop Shoppe—named after the late-’60s Fred Cole psych band—has consistently hosted some of the most diverse music programming in the city. Lollipop has seen almost every single Portland garage, indie, and punk band take their stage over the years, as well as hosting cult dance nights including Dyke Night, The Thesis, and RNB After Dark. DJs spun every genre of music imaginable, the likes of Karma Rivera and Papi Fimbres were often tearing it up on the corner of SE Grand and Morrison, and the booze flowed like the mighty Willamette just a few blocks away.
Those dance nights will find a new home, no problem—but what about all the benefit concerts and touring bands Lollipop Shoppe booked? Hopefully we’ll continue hearing a lot more from Shoppe co-owner Elizabeth Elder. Other than running one of Portland’s hippest venues and bars, Elder is also one of the minds behind Lose Yr Mind Fest, a multi-day festival taking place across several Central Eastside venues. If 2025’s festival lineup is anything to go by, LYM Fest isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
So far, Lollipop Shoppe has announced a small handful of shows since the shuttering news was shared. Shadowgraphs album release on November 13 with Packaging and Mini Blinds; the final Lollipop RNB After Dark is November 14; Saturday November will see DJs Aspen and Meanmug pull up to the decks for the final Dyke Night in the space; an early show is slated for November 16 with Frail Talk, Trinity Jane, and Mealworm; and (is this the very last Lollipop Shoppe show??) November 17 is Monday Night Live—the free music series launched in July—and will feature Dadweed and Mary Eliza.
Though the venue is rationing resources by only being open (at 7 pm) on show nights, these last few gigs are still costing the Shoppe money and they’ve asked for help in covering those costs so they can say a proper goodbye. Check out their GoFundMe for more details.
The closing of Lollipop Shoppe is a massive blow to Portland’s music ecosystem. If we don’t want more Portland venues to close (or change into pinball arcades), we need to support our local venues, artists, bookers, festivals, etc. Below is a non-comprehensive list of music venues and bars to support.
The Alleyway, Barn Radio, Clinton Street Theater, Dream House, The Get Down, High Limit Room, Hollywood Theatre, Holocene, Kelly’s Olympian, Leaven Community, The Off Beat, Process, Shanghai Tunnel, Star Bar, Swan Dive, Turn Turn Turn, The Way Post, Workers Tap, World Famous Kenton Club, Yamhill Pub.
