👟 What Nike’s looming layoffs mean for Portland

Closures and Storm Damage Leave Small Businesses Reeling

Local businesses lost thousands of dollars during the storm both from the damage and the need to close. The folks at Powell’s say four days of keeping the store shut wasn’t ideal: “That’s nearly impossible to recoup or easily absorb,” Powell’s told the Oregonian via email. “We’re hoping that Portland will come out to support local retailers once it’s safe to do so.” [Oregonian]

• Related: Icy conditions kept Portland area schools closed again today. [Oregonian]
• Related: Falling trees and the bitter cold proved deadly. Eight Oregonians died because of the winter storms. [OPB]
• Related: The snowpack is looking good! That’s potentially good news for fire season. [Salem Statesman’s Zach Urness via social media]

Notable Building Auction

In the latest sign that the value of commercial buildings has declined since the pandemic, a bank is auctioning off one of Portland’s most distinctive buildings. You might recognize The Tree Farm, a blue building on the Central Eastside, from the strawberry trees planted in metal buckets on the exterior of the building. The building “makes people smile and, long after I’m dead, it will make people smile,” developer Kevin Cavenaugh says. [Willamette Week]

What’s Wrong at Nike

Oregonian business reporter Matthew Kish explains why Nike is no longer as dominant a force in sportswear, how the company’s massive layoffs may impact Portland, and what the discrimination lawsuits say about company culture. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

Gov. Tina Kotek’s Housing

Gov. Tina Kotek has chosen to introduce just one bill during the short session. It puts the focus on her signature priority: housing. It would provide $500 million toward developing middle-income housing and creating infrastructure to spur housing development. [Oregonian]

Thanks again to readers who share their experiences of the city:

Community Coffee Spots

“I recently moved to the Irvington neighborhood and was delighted to discover Caffe Destino a few blocks away. The in-house pies and pastries are phenomenal and some of the employees even remember my name, which gives it that friendly-neighbor feel. They also serve hot breakfast and lunch and live acoustic guitar music on Sundays. It's inside a lovely yellow tudor-style building which also gives it a quaint euro vibe.” — Callie S.

Portland Snow Days

One reader sent along a video yesterday of ice skating in the street. And another wrote in about how lovely snow days can be:

“I find the few days of true snowy streets in Portland such a blessing! Everything is quiet. It’s beautiful and softens the city landscape. Best of all, I love being part of the pedestrian street takeover. Being pulled by our dogs on sleds or skis, sledding, and x-country skiing (my snow pastime). There is SO much joy these few days every few years when most autos stay home and the streets are ours!” — Angela

Please feel free to share feedback on the newsletter and your own perspectives on this city. You can respond to this email, or via this link to our email.

What Nike’s Looming Layoffs Mean for Portland

Nike is among the largest local employers. But the company is having a rough time: Their shoes have been losing market share, the company is facing discrimination lawsuits from ex-employees, and late last year they announced a plan that could slash more than a thousand jobs. Oregonian business reporter Matthew Kish explains what Nike’s challenges mean for Portland.