Saturday 26 November 2022 09:59 PM Famed ice cream shop that helped make Portland foodie paradise threatens to ... trends now
An iconic ice cream business has threatened to move its Portland headquarters out of Oregon as crime, drug use and homelessness continue to plague the woke Democratic city.
Salt & Straw was created to be a community gathering place, according to its website.
It was set up as a parlor in 2011, and quickly became known as one of the United States' best scoop shops, futher bolstering Portland's reputation as one of America's best foodie cities.
But co-founder Kim Malek said Wednesday that if things don't change, her firm will be forced to leave.
'We would consider all options,' Malek told Oregon Live. 'We don't have concrete plans. But our intention is to be at the table working with the city and county to find a solution and not move. Portland is part of the soul of our company. We love this city. This is about having a safe place for our team to work.'
Rising crime and homeless camps that have spread from downtown and into the suburbs have pushed out countless businesses and residents.
In recent one incident, someone pointed a gun at a Salt & Straw employee's head, according to civic advocate Thomas Lauderdale who sent an email to two dozen community leaders in Portland City Hall, Multnomah County and Oregon's congressional delegation.
The email highlight other incidents that happened near the headquarters, including a fire at an RV parked near the business which resulted in power loss.
Dilapidated RVs are used by homeless people throughout the city, and are often spotted parked near encampments.
The Democratic city has one of the most deserted downtowns in the United States as soaring crime rates and homelessness are scaring away both locals and tourists.
Salt & Straw was created to be a community gathering place, according to its website , but co-founder Kim Malek said Wednesday that if things don't change, they'd be forced to leave
Ice Cream business Salt & Straw has threatened to move its Portland headquarters out of Oregon as crime, drug use and homelessness continue to plague the Democratic city
Rising crime and homeless camps that have spread from downtown and into the suburbs have pushed out countless businesses and residents
On Monday, the RV fire near the company's headquarters brought down a transformer and caused Salt & Straw and several other businesses to lose power.
The fire and gun incident were detailed in the email by Lauderdale.
'Their lease is up in April, and although it will cost them millions and millions to relocate, they are at a breaking point, and are planning to move out of state,' Lauderdale wrote.
'This is less a homeless issue; it is a health and public safety and drug issue. The schizophrenia we're seeing, the violence, the fires ... this is drug fueled, and it needs to be addressed immediately.'
Malek,
