Cart Blocks is a food cart pod in Portland, Oregon's Ankeny Square, in the United States. It is operated by Friends of the Green Loop[1] and has capacity for 24 to 26 carts.[2]

History

The pod opened in 2021, following closure of the Alder Street food cart pod in 2019.[3][4] Permitting for the pod took longer than expected.[5] Some of the food carts that had been displaced by the closing and developing of the former location were temporarily housed at a nearby Post Office and eventually moved here to continue their businesses.[6]

The pod is part of a vision to revitalize downtown Portland through building a “culinary corridor,” which would allow carts to occupy parking spaces across several North-South blocks[7] stretching from Portland State University to NW Burnside Blvd as part of the Green Loop.[8] Former mayor Ted Wheeler supported the Cart Blocks by setting aside financing for them in his budget recommendations for 2021[9] and a federal grant was obtained in 2022 to connect the Cart Blocks with Darcelle XV Plaza.[10]

The city hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the pod's opening.[11] In December 2023, Portland signed a five-year deal to keep the pod open.[12]

Events

The pod has hosted events. In 2023, the site hosted a floral installation,[13] as well as a dance party and ice cream social following the Pride Bike Ride.[14][15][16] In 2024, the Cart Blocks hosted another dance party for Pride[17] and a Juneteenth market highlighting Black-owned businesses.[18] In 2025, the pod hosted "illuminated" performances as part of an LED drag show.[19]

Businesses

Food carts on the perimeter of Ankeny Square, 2022
Rachel & Rose, 2022

Businesses that have operated at the site include:

References

  1. ^ Griggs, Taylor. "Darcelle XV Plaza, Formerly O'Bryant Square, Ignites Heated Debate About Public Space". Portland Mercury. Archived from the original on 2024-03-27. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
  2. ^ Ramachandran, Sagarika. "A moveable feast: Food carts roll with changes". Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on 2025-02-23. Retrieved 2025-02-24. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 2025-02-24 suggested (help)
  3. ^ Russell, Michael (2021-07-22). "Cart Blocks, new home for downtown Portland food carts displaced by Ritz-Carlton, to hold grand opening Saturday". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2021-07-22. Retrieved 2021-07-23.
  4. ^ Peel, Sophie (2021-07-22). "Displaced Food Cart Pod Downtown Is Finally Opening New Location Saturday". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on 2021-07-23. Retrieved 2021-07-23.
  5. ^ Jaquiss, Nigel (2020-12-16). "The City of Portland Wants Visitors to Come Back Downtown—but It Hasn't Given a Food Cart Pod Permission to Operate". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on 2021-07-23. Retrieved 2025-02-24. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 2025-02-24 suggested (help)
  6. ^ Gallivan, Joseph (2019-07-17). "Alder Street food carts moving three blocks to Ankeny Square". Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on February 24, 2025. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  7. ^ Singer, Matthew (2021-07-22). "The Alder Street Food Carts Have Found a New Home". Willamette Week. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
  8. ^ "The Cart Blocks Comeback". Willamette Week. 2021-07-07. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
  9. ^ Peel, Sophie (2021-04-30). "Tucked Into the Portland Mayor's Budget: An Elusive Food Cart Pod". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on 2024-12-05. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
  10. ^ Egener, Max (2022-10-04). "Enhancements coming to Downtown Portland street plazas". Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on 2025-02-24. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  11. ^ Burch, Liz (2021-07-22). "Portland kicks off downtown revitalization celebration". KOIN.com. Archived from the original on 2021-07-23. Retrieved 2021-07-23.
  12. ^ Carter, Veronica (2023-12-14). "Cart Block to Stay in Downtown Portland". KXL. Archived from the original on 2023-12-14. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  13. ^ "Portland's florals on display in Bloom Tour through downtown, Old Town". KOIN.com. 2023-04-14. Archived from the original on 2023-04-21. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  14. ^ "8 things to do this weekend in Portland | June 2-4". KGW. May 31, 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-06-04. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  15. ^ "Pride Month events happening around Portland". KGW. June 2, 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-07-12. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  16. ^ "Portlanders ride their bikes with Pride through downtown in Pedalpalooza event". KPTV. Archived from the original on 2023-06-03. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  17. ^ "8 things to do this weekend in Portland | May 31- June 2". kgw.com. 2024-05-30. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  18. ^ "Where to find Juneteenth celebrations throughout Portland". KOIN.com. 2024-06-14. Archived from the original on 2024-06-15. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  19. ^ "What to Do in Portland (Feb. 12–18, 2025)". Willamette Week. 2025-02-11. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Five Lunch Spots for Your Next Wednesday Downtown". Willamette Week. 2023-02-15. Archived from the original on 2023-03-27. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  21. ^ Mahoney, Teresa (2025-01-07). "Portland cookie cart serves freshly baked cookies the size of baseballs". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  22. ^ Smith, Suzette. "Update: Food Cart Kim Jong Grillin Will Move to Downtown Cart Blocks Pod". Portland Mercury. Archived from the original on 2024-03-27. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
  23. ^ Elise, Ayo (2023-07-11). "Rachel & Rose brings the rooftop bar experience to Portland's 'Cart Blocks'". KPTV. Archived from the original on 2023-12-14. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cart_Blocks
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