PORTLAND, Ore. — Two prominent Portland businesses are set to leave the city’s Old Town neighborhood, and neighboring shop owners fear others could soon follow. The neighborhood is a hub of social services and places where homeless people can go for treatment, food and shelter. But that’s all taking a toll on small businesses in the area.
“God, I wish we had a better stay in the neighborhood,” said Charles Mattouk, owner of Charlie’s Deli, which has been operating in Old Town for over a decade.
Mattouk’s neighbor, Deadstock Coffee Roasters, is one of the businesses closing up shop. The coffee company operates locations in Beaverton and Old Town, and founder Ian Williams announced last week in a video posted on Instagram that he plans to close the Old Town shop at the end of this month…