Another sad sight due to the rising cost of living and general inflation is the closure of Zell’s Cafe. As the sign says, the labor and food costs are now unsustainable for the cafe to operate anymore. It’s well documented that food inflation has been in excess of 10% by official figures, although consumers will know that this is probably a low estimate.

Of course, labor costs are due to an increased minimum wage, although this is simplifying the issue. Inflation in general has caused people to demand more money for their time, as rents, food and other costs have increased. In addition to this, ordinary working people simply cannot afford to eat out as much anymore. As a result, Zell’s cafe has higher costs and fewer customers.

Furthermore, rising interest rates means that landowners may have to increase rents in order to meet mortgage payment demands. As Zell’s cafe is located in a good area of Portland, this space will likely now become a “higher end” type of business who will have higher margins than a simple cafe. However, it is the local people who will lose out as a result of this.

However, some cafe regulars have noted that Zell’s cafe has been under new ownership since August 2022 and that the owners had tried spending a lot of money to turn the cafe around.

Zell’s Cafe was a popular breakfast and brunch spot located in the Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood of Portland. The cafe was known for its delicious breakfast dishes and cozy atmosphere. Some of the popular items on the menu included biscuits and gravy, omelets, pancakes, and French toast.

The cafe also offered vegetarian and gluten-free options, as well as a selection of coffee and tea beverages. Zell’s Cafe received positive reviews from both locals and tourists for its friendly service and tasty food.

If you’re interested in visiting Zell’s Cafe before it closes, it’s located at 1300 SE Morrison St, Portland, OR 97214. Be quick though, there isn’t long left!