Einstein Bros. Bagels Shutters Three Portland Locations

Einstein Bros. Bagels has permanently closed three of its 14 Portland-area locations. WWeek breaks the news that Einstein locations on SE 11th Avenue, SE Hawthorne Boulevard, and SW Scholls Ferry Road were shuttered on Friday. According to a statement, reps from the Colorado-based Einstein Noah Group confirm:

"In alignment with our original plan for the Portland market, we have made the decision to close our Hawthorne, Raleigh Hills and SE 11th Ave. locations in order to provide more evenly distributed locations within the community where guests can pick up their fresh baked bagels, coffee, sandwiches and more."

Einstein Bros. received a rocky reception in Portland after a hostile takeover of the local Kettleman Bagels chainlet in November 2011 — the hostility stemming from Einstein's much-maligned choice to discontinue Kettleman's boiled bagel recipe. Per WW, the Central Eastside's SE 11th location was the "original" Kettleman location, and employees at the NW Lovejoy shop told the weekly that the attempt to offer a small selection of boiled bagels has been shelved.
· Einstein Bros. Bagels Closing Three Portland Locations [WWeek]
· Einstein Bros. Bagels [Official site]