ANOTHER ONE: Longtime Pizza Chain to Close Portland Locations; Owner Cites Safety Concerns, Low Foot Traffic

Photo: Company Website

PORTLAND, OR — Just weeks after Walmart announced the closure of ALL Portland locations, longtime Portland pizza chain, Hot Lips Pizza, has announced the closure of three of its brick-and-mortar restaurants.

Hot Lips released a statement citing “pandemic, labor and economic stresses” as reasons for the downsizing. OFA Media spoke with Hot Lips co-owner, David Yudkin, and asked if he could expand on what “labor and economic stresses” meant.

At first, Yudkin was reluctant to speak with us. He has so much respect for the city he has called home for so many years. Eventually, he graciously answered some of our questions.

We asked Yudkin if the overall safety of employees, homelessness, and resulting low foot traffic played an important role in the decision to downsize. He replied, “Absolutely yes. But I think these are issues many cities are facing across the nation. Not just Portland.”

Many Portlanders believe the city’s political leadership needs to be held more accountable for the safety concerns (high crime) and homeless crisis which has resulted in the poor business environment. When we asked Yudkin if he planned on getting louder about these factors, that have negatively affected his business, he replied, “…that is a battle I can’t win.”

It seems Yudkin is experiencing the same dilemma as many current, and former, Portland business owners who don’t want to deal with the headache that would come with speaking out about these important issues. With the local, Portland media consistently covering for the city’s failed leadership, many business owners like Yudkin are forced to take it on the chin and move forward.

If you’d like to support Hot Lips Pizza, the famous pizza chain says:

The Hawthorne and Pearl locations remain open, with ample dining areas indoor and outdoor - including space available for larger and private events in both places. HOTLIPS will continue to serve customers in all parts of Portland with more delivery options and expanded delivery areas. Beer is flowing, there are new large screens for viewing sports, and our catering department is busy with large pizza orders and a state-of-the-art Mobile Pizza Trailer, available for special events.

Company info

Website/Order Online: www.hotlipspizza.com

PEARL
503 595 2342

Sun-Thu 11-8
Fri+Sat 11-9

SE HAWTHORNE
503 234 9999

Sun-Thu 11:30-8
Fri+Sat 11:30-9

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