Local entrepreneur and bike lover Brenda Drain is opening Tour de Crepes in mid-April. She’s taking over the former space occupied by Fold at 2921 NE Alberta. Prior to the opening, she’ll have a special preview event tomorrow at the Last Thursday ArtWalk.
I first met Brenda when she was part-owner of Urban Grind Coffee and I was organizing the BikeCraft event last December. Brenda is a great supporter of cycling and was also a gracious host of Shift’s monthly meetings at Urban Grind. In the past few years Brenda has become an everyday cyclist herself and often commutes and rides around town with her daughters in tow.
Besides the name, which came to Brenda while out on a ride, Tour de Crepes will have several bike-inspired touches. Here’s more from Brenda:
“…at this point there are subtle notes beyond the name that it’s a bikey place…the outlet covers are copies of vintage French cycling posters, there’s a little glass bicycle statue. I also plan to hang the Metro Bike There! map outside, and have NE Portland bike maps available. My hope is to actually let the community help develop the “feel” of the place with suggestions, input, bike events, etc… Once we are officially open, I will offer free domestic bottled water for people who ride to the cafe.”
Sounds great to me. Don’t miss the preview event tomorrow, let’s show Brenda how much we appreciate bike-friendly local businesses!