A Burglar Broke Into Thai Spot Paadee This Weekend

Someone Burglarized Paadee Sunday Morning

A thief broke into Paadee early Sunday morning, the latest in a string of burglaries and vandalizations across Portland area restaurants. According to Nest cam footage from within the restaurant, the thief — dressed in a hoodie and a mask — broke in a little after 5 a.m., using a crowbar to push the lock into the door. He stole cash from the register and a bottle of booze; according to Paadee owner Earl Ninsom, he has been hitting other restaurants in the Portland area. “Just don’t be like this guy, for whatever reason,” Ninsom wrote on Instagram. [EaterWire]

Mississippi Cocktail Bar Sidecar 11 Has Closed

Sidecar, the North Portland whiskey bar also known as Sidecar 11, has permanently shut down its Mississippi location due to the coronavirus pandemic. The bar was one of few in North Portland area that sold barrel-aged cocktails, with whiskey flights, a wide selection of Manhattans, and a noteworthy “whiskey club.” The bar didn’t announce their closure virtually, but rather hung a paper sign in the window that says “COVID closure permanently.” The Instagram account of Mississippi restaurant Radar posted a tribute to the neighboring business, saying “[Owner] John [Cooper] was the first to come over, beers in hand, to welcome us to the neighborhood.” [EaterWire]

A Woman Has Been Indicted on Arson Charges for the Latest Reo’s Ribs Fire

Reo’s Ribs, the tiny rib restaurant in Portland’s Hollywood neighborhood, has seen its fair share of fires. Back in 2017, the restaurant caught fire, which owner Reo Varnado then suggested was potentially related to racism he’s experienced as a business owner in Portland; Portland police could find no evidence of arson after that fire. On November 23, someone again set fire to the restaurant: Multnomah County grand jury has indicted Jennifer Lynn Cole, who was arrested after she was identified based on a surveillance video. When she was originally interviewed by the police, she introduced herself as Anna Hoedgson; police eventually discovered that she was using a fake name. [O, KOIN]

In Other News...

• Oregon-based produce supplier Organically Grown has changed its ownership structure so it can never be sold to a private equity firm; instead, the company is now owned by various stakeholder groups, specifically employees, producers, customers, community, and investors. [PBJ]
• Chefstable has launched a new ghost-kitchen-style “food hall” housing a number of new delivery-only restaurant concepts. [PBJ]