Portland's Trader Vic's Is Gone for Good

This buzzkill is confirmed: The Trader Vic's location in the Pearl is permanently closed, as a result of the fire that broke out earlier this month. In a press release sent out today, owner J. Clayton Hering writes:

"It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the decision to close Trader Vic's in Portland after four and a half years. This is effective immediately.

"We can be proud that we provided an excellent entertainment venue to our customers, families, and private parties. Our menu for appetizers, food, and drink, as well as our atmosphere, were a unique addition to the Portland restaurant scene. Our customers enjoyed Trader Vic's return to Portland because of the fun environment we created, which was unique to the city and well received. We thank you for your support over the last four and a half years."

The tiki-themed Trader Vic's franchise kicked off in the 1930s, bringing a taste for high-proof rum and a thoroughly tacky and tropical atmosphere to locations throughout the U.S. Today, the franchise has locations around the world, but the Portland location was one of the last remaining bars and restaurants in the U.S. It opened back in 2010.