IF THEY SERVED A SOUL-FOOD BRUNCH, WHITE PEOPLE WOULD LINE UP AROUND THE BLOCK TO BUY THAT. ALSO, LESS CRACK SELLING AND SHOOTINGS WOULD MAKE THE PLACE MORE WELCOMING.
ALSO, IT'S FUNNY THAT YOU MANAGED TO GET A POLICE CAR IN THE PHOTO WITH THE OWNERS.
I have been there and I am white. I do not feel welcomed by their customers (not being racist but come on I am white). This place needs to really control it's image and customers. The first time I went there I had a pocket knife on me and was told I could not come in there with the knife. Walked home left it there and returned. The bouncer raped me worse the the TSA and still did not want to let me in. Once inside I was one of very few white people and had to drink in a corner. Yes "reverse" racism at work, but I was open minded and did not give a shit, beer was flowing. I was not welcomed at all. The bar tenders did not want to serve me and I felt I was more then encouraged to get the hell out of there. This place's customer's do not want to fit into the advancement that is happening in the area and will more then likely not. Sorry but times are changing and the 12 22 needs to also. Maui's across the street makes everyone feel welcome no matter who you are. 12 22 will soon be torn down if it cannot make those changes and make everyone feel a little more welcome there. And nothing will hurt it worse then it's customers selling drugs in the parking lot of the church next door.
@?
Of course I went to the bar. I'd been by hundreds of times but before writing this story, had never gone in. I finally stopped by for a drink last week.
Joe, "advancement?" you mean a neighborhood is "advanced" if more white people move in? that's disgusting. if you want to go to some "black" bars, drive out past 82nd ave, where the city's minorities have been gentrified to.
Sarah, interesting story, but it's regrettable that the sad demise of Sam Thompson's Seeznin's bar didn't get a mention here. This is not the only black bar in the city- it's one of the only black bars in a neighborhood that young white people have given their seal of approval.
Fucking hell, eastpo. People don't get "gentrified to" somewhere, as if they're loaded up in paddy wagons and shipped off to the ghetto, despite what sociology-major California transplants love to bitch about.
Gentrification is just a process of a city growing in population and changing demographics of different areas. Homeowners sell for waaay more than their properties are worth and renters of all races and creeds get priced out of the area. They often end up in hoods like mine, mixed with young families, retirees on fixed incomes and lower-income working folks.
To lament the change of historically black neighborhoods is one thing, but arbitrary whining about the perceived persecution of one subset of those whose lives are affected by gentrification and changes in urban design just makes you sound like a petulant college freshman.
I've been thinking about this place a lot since visiting with Sarah on the same day as her initial interview. During our weekday, afternoon visit, the bartender was attentive and cordial; the owners, friendly and inviting. That said, the place was empty. How different would our experience be if we had visited on a Saturday night? The owner's best intentions notwithstanding, I would imagine that, like this or any other bar, the crowd sets the tone.
I left LV's by myself, promising to return to have more of the best barbecue I've eaten in Portland. And yet, would I feel as safe and welcomed if I returned with my boyfriend? On a weekend night?
My visit to this bar made me question my own inherent racism, if there is any. Is it wrong to pass the late night crowds spilling out of LV's doorway and inherently presume I'd be greeted as an intruder? I loved visiting LV's. But quite honestly, much of that visit was as an "explorer." And that, in and of itself, made me feel like a racist; like an "other." Not a "better," mind you; but an "other." The visit made me question why, even in 2012, there are so few African Americans in my various social circles? And yet, upon further examination, I was forced to acknowledge the divisions fracturing most of the minorities I know or have known . Most of my gay friends predominantly socialize with other LGBT's; the same with hispanic friends; and while not a legitimate "minority," it's very much the same with the geeks that I know. Perhaps these divisions have more to do with shared experience -- than skin color. At least I hope so.
All of that said, excellent article, Sarah. These are the kinds of questions that need to be asked. I don't want to see places like this go, and yet I do not visit them. Not sure what that says about me. Or us. Or of "diversity" in general.
Gentrification is an interesting subject. "Progressive" white people bemoan its occurrence, yet we are the perpetrators. It's ironic. I grew up in Portland and knew the north Portland neighborhoods there long before they became hip for young whites. The place was vibrant, while being a bit grungy. I had black friends and we went to places like the Burger Barn Restaurant. (The place really looked like a barn, served real soul food, but is now gone.) We visited some of the "black" bars whose names I don't remember. I do remember feeling a little nervous about going into them, but as long as I was with my (black) friends, it was no big deal. I just didn't get too loud or try to otherwise stand out. I liked the places because the people in there were comfortable in their surroundings, happy, and being themselves, not guarded and angry-looking like when I saw them in "whiter" places. The bars definitely had the Motown vibe LaVon was talking about. Everybody danced. It's too bad the black hang-outs get over-run with hostile gangsters and addicts now, which makes them unpalatable to everyone, especially gentle and sensitive young whites (aka hipsters). These places have a hard enough time surviving gentrification without that. It is also too bad that the huge investment in urban renewal that has taken place there, intended to create a more positive environment for the people that lived there, actually triggered the gentrification and was the catalyst for pushing them out of their own neighborhood. Now, that is irony.
Anyone who paid attention to the Williams bike lane process knows why the Van's feel like outsiders in their own neighborhood. The desires of people who are currently living in lower-median income neighborhoods in Portland have never been as important to the City as the desires of people who WOULD move to said area if only there were more amenities which cater to higher-income citizens (such as bike lanes, vegan delis and stores specializing in overpriced organic fair) who also, SURPRISE!, just happen to be white.
A compare and contrast to Joe's Place on Alberta would have been interesting. I don't care for the word "last" here. Makes it sound like shit's going extinct, when really it is a business deal to open an establishment up, though surely it takes moxie and know-how to keep one going even when areas change, as they always do.
I am white, female, middle class and I really love LV's. I always feel safe and welcomed when I visit the 1222 and it has been home to some of my favorite nights for my friends and I. The owners clearly care about the experience of their customers and every time I am there I get a personal greeting. The food is great, drinks are strong, and the company is the best in the city. You (my white peers) should really give this place a chance. You won't regret it.
The gentrification of inner North/Northeast Portland and the displacement of what is basically the only longstanding African-American neighborhood in all of Portland is a sad event on many levels. Especially since much of the area was really leveled and betrayed by the past urban renewal of the 1960s and the proposed but cancelled Legacy Emmanuel expansion that ended up leaving much of N Williams/Vancouver looking like a warzone of vacant lots until very recently.
On the other hand--had North/Northeast Portland not had a significant African-American population--it would've been gentrified much, much earlier like the rest of inner Portland. Who were the lower income folks who used to live on SE Hawthorne or NW 21st in the 1980s? Beats me--but they're long gone as well to several waves of gentrification.
@ Joe Ash, I'm incredibly sorry to hear about your experience at LV's and also very appreciative that you were willing to voice it. It is of the utmost mportance to us that each person has a safe, fun and memorable experience when visiting our establishment. We are very proud of the progress we've made and want the neighborhood to share that pride. I sincerely hope that you take me up on my offer to have lunch or a cold beer together and discuss your experience further. My hope is that with your feedback and an open dialogue, I can ensure that your experience is an anomoly and prevent that from happening to you or any other patron again in the future. My personal email is, frewine.kiros@gmail.com I hope to hear from you soon.
@ those who have posted comments and others who may post in the future...
I am not sure how well I can articulate the amount of time, energy and resources LaVon and I have put into LV's Restaurant and Lounge. We are working diligently to provide our community with an establishment that is known for having phenomenal food, service and entertainment and one our children can Google on the internet and be proud of what comes up. We have spent countless hours and dollars getting those who hung around our building and block out of this community. The result has been countless hours of an empty building. We regularly have more employees than customers in our lounge throughout the day. I am sending a personal invite to each of you to come try us out. If the food, service and music is not phenomenal, PLEASE email me at frewine.kiros@gmail.com at your earliest conveinence so that I can resolve the issue right away. I thank you for your time and willingness to step outside of your box. Doing so means we get better and so does our neighborhood.
I've also heard that 12 22 is not for white people, I know people who have been (politely but firmly) turned away at the door. I didn't really think of it as hostile, though; I thought it was understandable. Us white people are everywhere in this city, I could see why some might want a refuge from that.
I visited LV's once. I did not feel unwelcome there at all. In fact, the bar tender went out of her way to make my friends and I feel welcome. I did, however, feel out of place. But that's my deal. I grew up in rural Oregon, so even a city as white as Portland feels diverse to me...I would definitely go back there, particularly (hint, hint) if the owners got together with Life Change and some of the new businesses in the neighborhood to throw a block party and/or street fair.
My wife and I (we're white) moved to the Fremont neighborhood last year and while stumbling home from drinks on Williams Ave., we stopped in the Twelve-22 for one more cocktail. We knew nothing about it's clientele or it's reputation. We were low on cash so when asked for a $10 cover at the door, we politely said "no thanks" and proceeded to leave. That's when a gentleman approached and told the doorman to let us in free of charge. He then thanked us for stopping in, lead us to the bar, and personally introduced us to the super-nice gal bartending. We ordered a drink and danced to a set of fun 80's and 90's R&B classics for the next hour. We were welcomed and treated with respect by everyone. Check out Twelve-22 - we want it to stay in the neighborhood.
The article starts off with: "THE OWNERS of LV's Twelve-22 are struggling with a difficult fact: They're seen as one of Portland's last "black bars" in a neighborhood that's becoming whiter by the day." However, the article ends by stating a need for a 'diverse' bar. Do they want to be a 'black' bar or a 'diverse' bar? This is all rather annoying. Could one own a 'white' bar and lament the change in demographics (i.e. increasing black population) as a 'difficult' fact without lemmings throwing the race card?
I'm a small white girl, and I work here. So I guess I should chime in.
No one is lamenting the increase in white population in the neighborhood. The article is clearly stating that the owners lament the fact that as the last 'black' bar, the neighborhood--and everyone else--is assuming they are not welcome because they are white. That's not the case. Clearly they are saying that everyone is welcome, and to not feel intimidated by the fact that one might find themselves as the minority inside.
These are small business owners who want to run a successful bar, and all they are asking for is to not be labeled as a bar that is dangerous because of its reputation as a black-patronized bar, but rather to be accepted in the community they have been a part of for years.
@ Roxanne: I suspect the label of a dangerous bar is not necessarily because of the clientele's skin color, but rather, may have something to do with the fact that a LOT of crimes have been committed there. Seems reasonable, right? In general, many people are likely to avoid any bar or business if the crime rate is well-known to be high.
So, they're lamenting that they're the last black bar? So, they want to be a black bar? They want diversity, but not too much because they still want to be considered a black bar? It's irritating. If everything was reversed, the tone of the article might be that the white bar owner(s) aren't receptive to the neighborhood's changing diversity and that wanting to maintain 'white' bar status is racist. Do you at least catch a glimpse of the double standard?
I avoided this place when I lived in the neighborhood for a couple years because of the reported shootings/violence listed online. Those aren't rumors. The drug dealers on my block liked to kick it over there too. The place (like most bars) always looks empty in the daytime so of course a person working in an office wouldn't notice what happens around midnight. The last thing I want to be around when I have been having a few drinks is random violence. Certain places in the Pearl and DT I won't go back to for the same reason. Too much of a crack/junkie scene outside combined with crews of dudes waiting for an excuse to start shit.
To hear the owner genuinely committed to changing the reputation makes me think that if they can stick it out during the massive change happening in the neighborhood then they will thrive later on as an authentic neighborhood bar. All the new spots have this plastic feel to them and sound like they were named after stores in the mall on The Simpsons.
I work at this bar and i must say, since i started there two months ago, the diversity of the bar has expanded and there wasnt ever any "your white so get out" kind of feel when i started, i am white and love working there, meeting the people, enjoying the atmosphere... it is alot better than people let on.
ALSO, IT'S FUNNY THAT YOU MANAGED TO GET A POLICE CAR IN THE PHOTO WITH THE OWNERS.
Of course I went to the bar. I'd been by hundreds of times but before writing this story, had never gone in. I finally stopped by for a drink last week.
Gentrification is just a process of a city growing in population and changing demographics of different areas. Homeowners sell for waaay more than their properties are worth and renters of all races and creeds get priced out of the area. They often end up in hoods like mine, mixed with young families, retirees on fixed incomes and lower-income working folks.
To lament the change of historically black neighborhoods is one thing, but arbitrary whining about the perceived persecution of one subset of those whose lives are affected by gentrification and changes in urban design just makes you sound like a petulant college freshman.
I left LV's by myself, promising to return to have more of the best barbecue I've eaten in Portland. And yet, would I feel as safe and welcomed if I returned with my boyfriend? On a weekend night?
My visit to this bar made me question my own inherent racism, if there is any. Is it wrong to pass the late night crowds spilling out of LV's doorway and inherently presume I'd be greeted as an intruder? I loved visiting LV's. But quite honestly, much of that visit was as an "explorer." And that, in and of itself, made me feel like a racist; like an "other." Not a "better," mind you; but an "other." The visit made me question why, even in 2012, there are so few African Americans in my various social circles? And yet, upon further examination, I was forced to acknowledge the divisions fracturing most of the minorities I know or have known . Most of my gay friends predominantly socialize with other LGBT's; the same with hispanic friends; and while not a legitimate "minority," it's very much the same with the geeks that I know. Perhaps these divisions have more to do with shared experience -- than skin color. At least I hope so.
All of that said, excellent article, Sarah. These are the kinds of questions that need to be asked. I don't want to see places like this go, and yet I do not visit them. Not sure what that says about me. Or us. Or of "diversity" in general.
On the other hand--had North/Northeast Portland not had a significant African-American population--it would've been gentrified much, much earlier like the rest of inner Portland. Who were the lower income folks who used to live on SE Hawthorne or NW 21st in the 1980s? Beats me--but they're long gone as well to several waves of gentrification.
@ those who have posted comments and others who may post in the future...
I am not sure how well I can articulate the amount of time, energy and resources LaVon and I have put into LV's Restaurant and Lounge. We are working diligently to provide our community with an establishment that is known for having phenomenal food, service and entertainment and one our children can Google on the internet and be proud of what comes up. We have spent countless hours and dollars getting those who hung around our building and block out of this community. The result has been countless hours of an empty building. We regularly have more employees than customers in our lounge throughout the day. I am sending a personal invite to each of you to come try us out. If the food, service and music is not phenomenal, PLEASE email me at frewine.kiros@gmail.com at your earliest conveinence so that I can resolve the issue right away. I thank you for your time and willingness to step outside of your box. Doing so means we get better and so does our neighborhood.
I've never heard of it being dangerous.
Jason and Sami
No one is lamenting the increase in white population in the neighborhood. The article is clearly stating that the owners lament the fact that as the last 'black' bar, the neighborhood--and everyone else--is assuming they are not welcome because they are white. That's not the case. Clearly they are saying that everyone is welcome, and to not feel intimidated by the fact that one might find themselves as the minority inside.
These are small business owners who want to run a successful bar, and all they are asking for is to not be labeled as a bar that is dangerous because of its reputation as a black-patronized bar, but rather to be accepted in the community they have been a part of for years.
So, they're lamenting that they're the last black bar? So, they want to be a black bar? They want diversity, but not too much because they still want to be considered a black bar? It's irritating. If everything was reversed, the tone of the article might be that the white bar owner(s) aren't receptive to the neighborhood's changing diversity and that wanting to maintain 'white' bar status is racist. Do you at least catch a glimpse of the double standard?
I'm an average-sized Latino man; also irrelevant.
To hear the owner genuinely committed to changing the reputation makes me think that if they can stick it out during the massive change happening in the neighborhood then they will thrive later on as an authentic neighborhood bar. All the new spots have this plastic feel to them and sound like they were named after stores in the mall on The Simpsons.