Buffalo Wild Wings has spun its last wing in downtown Portland, shutting its doors after a 17-year stint amid a contentious lease termination with the city. The sports bar, which has been a local fixture since its opening in December 2007, served its final patrons on Wednesday, leaving fans and employees to adapt to a new normal without its presence on SW 4th and Morrison.
According to KOIN 6 News, Wray Hutchinson, the leader of World Wide Wings, has been vocal about the unique difficulties the Portland site has faced, including civil unrest and surging crime that demanded increased security measures for the safety of staff and customers. Hutchinson explained that the business saw a 70% drop in patronage after the city shut down an adjoining parking garage, which the business said was necessary for their customer base and when it closed, it dealt a heavy blow to their livelihood.
The KATU report indicates that the closure of the 3rd & Alder parking garage was justified by the city due to spikes in break-ins and robberies, and underutilization, despite still being indicated as "temporarily closed" on the city's website; however, Hutchinson refers to it as a "haven for crime and drug use," an issue he claims to have flagged with the city prior to the garage's closure.
The shuttering occurred following a decision by the City of Portland to not renew the sports chain's lease, a move that came after Buffalo Wild Wings had already ceased rent payments last August in response to the parking garage's closure which further stymied their operations. "For months, the City of Portland has been in communication with Buffalo Wild Wings to help address their concerns and bring them into compliance with their written lease agreement by requesting that they pay their rent," said a city spokesperson in the email obtained by KGW. The city maintained its position, emphasizing its focus on downtown revitalization and the necessity of the step taken with Buffalo Wild Wings.
The closure signifies not only the loss of a popular dining spot but also illuminates the broader issues of crime and urban management in Portland. The city now faces the task of finding a new tenant for the space, as the possibility of a resurgence in the downtown area looms in the balance.
