McMenamins
A recent AP article in our local paper (affectionately, or not, nicknamed "The Tri-Cycle Herald") highlighted the careers of Mike and Brian McMenamin down Portland way. Since 1983, the brothers have been building an "empire of pubs, theaters and hotels" in Oregon and Washington. Their idea is to build family-friendly establishments, not just bars. The 53rd McMenamins will open this fall in Bend, OR.
Now, I love a good meal (and, rarely, a glass of wine) as much as the next person, but I salute the brothers today for reasons other than gastronomic. They are heros of mine for their historic preservation ethic. That's right! The brothers have sunk a ton of money into keeping history alive in the Northwest.
Take, for instance, the Edgefield in Troutdale, OR. This establishment was constructed in 1911 and for 50 years or so served as the Multnomah County Poor Farm. For 20 years after that it was a nursing home. It closed in 1982, and lay rotting until the brothers bought it in 1990. Over the next 4 years, they transformed it into "a European-style village, including lodging, a pub with a move theater, fine dining, a winery, a brewery, distillery, golf course, gardens, vineyards, artwork, meeting, wedding and banquet space, and special events year round."
Now, I have to admit, that the one time we strolled around the grounds, I did have a bit of trouble reconciling the laughing, happy crowd with the depressing former uses of the complex, but maybe I was just a bit melancholy that day. Be that as it may, tomorrow: the White Eagle.
4 Comments:
Kerry mkaes us go to the one in Seattle every year for Bumbershoot. They have good food but the atmosphere is the best part of it. I like the fact that you just come in and find a seat when there is one open. I also like that it feels like everyone is family and there to have a good time.
Zandra
Kerry mkaes us go to the one in Seattle every year for Bumbershoot. They have good food but the atmosphere is the best part of it. I like the fact that you just come in and find a seat when there is one open. I also like that it feels like everyone is family and there to have a good time.
Zandra
Not sure how it was added twice...whoops.
I'll talk gastronomic if no one else will. Their mac and cheese is quite delicious and I crave their spinach salad. Bellingham should certainly have one. There has to be an old rotting building here for them to buy, like that one in Fairhaven that no one is doing anything with.
Kerry
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