Portland's dining scene is saying farewell to a local favorite. After an 11-year run, Boxer Ramen is closing its doors permanently on April 29. Operating across four locations, including three in the Portland area and one in Beaverton, the small chain of ramen restaurants has become a fixture among noodle enthusiasts. Citing various challenges, the company announced its imminent shut down causes grief to its community of supporters.

Facing the dual pressures of a lingering pandemic and rising costs, Boxer Ramen, owned by Micah Camden, couldn't withstand the storm. According to KGW, "The incredible challenges that we all faced as a community during the pandemic, compounded by inflated costs of goods and services, have not only profoundly affected our restaurant but all of us and our communities as a whole." In February, it had been reported that Boxer Ramen and Camden's other venture, SuperDeluxe, had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

As recently as a fortnight ago, hopes seemed high with Camden reporting that all Boxer locations were doing well and preparing to introduce enhanced bento menus. Yet, as the end nears, Boxer encourages patrons to join in for "one last meal" through regular hours until Sunday, April 28. According to Willamette Week, Boxer's closing message touched on the relationships built over more than a decade, "But most of all, we would love to just say goodbye to all of you that we grew up with over the last 11 years. You truly are our family and we will miss every one of you dearly."

Patrons seeking one final slurp of Boxer's tonkotsu or a last bite of chashu will need to do so by the looming deadline. Once a staple in the quirky tapestry of Portland's food culture, Boxer Ramen's departure marks the end of an era. The spare details on the closures were further confirmed by KATU, simply stating, "On Monday, all four locations will be closed." This closure brings a sobering reminder of the fragility of local businesses amidst an ever-challenging economic landscape.