When we last checked in with The Eastburn, the longtime Buckman neighborhood bar was doing what it has always done best: holding steady as a welcoming, unfussy gathering place on East Burnside. Since then, the past year has brought new challenges—and a renewed call to the community that has supported it since 2008.
Like many independent restaurants and bars across Portland, The Eastburn has felt the impact of a noticeable slowdown in the industry. Owner Michael Fritz shared that beginning in mid-summer of 2024, guest counts dropped sharply, reflecting broader shifts in dining and drinking habits. By mid-November, things began to feel more familiar again, though the holiday season may have played a role in that uptick.…