november 2. 2001
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ju s t m it i 3
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I
n the beginning, three friends had a concept.
They wanted to establish a coffeehouse that
would become a neighborhixxl “safe place”
where each and every person who walked
through the door could feel comfortable.
When it came time to name the space, the
decision came naturally, and 3 Friends Coffee-
house was horn.
Today, co-founder Randy Rapport is the sole
proprietor of the establishment, which is locat
ed at 201 S.E. 12th Ave. The original goal
remains the same, however.
Rapport, who is gay, is pleased that his busi
ness has become a beacon of sorts for the stfxual
minorities community, a place where people can
go “outside of the bars.” Groups such as Young
Men’s Coffee Talk and Lavender Lounge use the
establishment for their weekly meetings. But
Rapport says what makes him most proud is the
fact that everyone feels comfortable at 3 Friends.
“We opened it for the whole community,” he
says. “We wanted it to be inclusive...not exclusive
for just a single group of people. We wanted the
people who lived in the neighborhood to feel com
fortable, but we also wanted to create a space where
two men, two women or a man and a woman could
kiss without having to worry about it.”
Customers think Rapport has accomplished
his goal.
“1 really do like coming in here,” said a man
who identified himself as Jim. “It’s a nice
place...the people are friendly, and the coffee is
great.”
LaRee, a state of Oregon employee who was
grabbing coffee during her break, said she not
only comes in to enjoy the atmosphere but also to
visit with Rapport’s dog, Bodhi, who often
accompanies him for short periods of time when
he runs down to the coffeehouse. The pooch
G ood to the L ast D rop
Java joint breaks new grounds
by Tom S tev en son
Friends when Rapport
acquired a liquor license
allowing him to sell beer
and wine. However, he
says he does not want that
to change to atmosphere
of the place.
“Yes, we’ve added beer
and wine, and we’ve put in
a pool table,” Rapport says.
“Bur the environment
here remains a cafe. We
want families to still feel
welcome. We want every
one... young and old, gay
and straight, male
and female, to feel
Min
3 Friends Coffeehouse recently acquired a liquor
license allowing beer and wine sales
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Proprietor Randy Rapport has achieved his dream of creating a
neighborhood "safe place”
often is seen sitting out front, greeting people as
they enter. “People do come to just see Bodhi,”
Rapport says.
What also attracts people to 3 Friends is the
menu. Rapport says everything that is served is
of the highest quality they can provide, includ
ing the coffee, teas (20 varieties are shipped in
from San Francisco), pastries (from a small local
bakery), sandwiches (three cheeses on every
one) and salads. The organic cookies and scones
are specially made just for 3 Friends.
A major change recently took place at
comfortable.
^ P 0" also f ed,ts
his six employees
for the establishment’s success. From the
beginning, the owners did not spend a
great deal of time running 3 Friends,
instead choosing to hire people to manage
and operate it. “1 have been really lucky to
have such a great group of people working
here,” Rapport says.
Opening a coffeehouse was certainly
not among his earliest plans. Rapport spent
seven years as a child psychologist but
became “burned out” and needed to do
something else for a while. However, he
says he plans to return to the field at some point.
Although Rapport is certainly happy with
the success of the business, he insists he is “not
doing it for the money.” He has no plans in the
works to open any more locations or to create a
chain of 3 Friends Coffeehouses.
Rapport does note that he has a “couple of
ideas” for business ventures he might try but that
for the time being he simply wants to keep
improving the establishment. He wants to make
sure the comfy couches and cozy tables continue
to be filled with people soaking in not only some
heavy doses of caffeine but also the atmosphere.
“ I support the cultural breakthrough of
acceptance,” Rapport says. “That’s what we are
trying to accomplish.”
H o t e l P r o p e r t ie s
A pa rtm en t B ld g s .
(7 6 0 ) 8 3 3 -5 4 3 4
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Obstétrica and Gynecology
Phone
5 0 3 2 7 4 -9 9 3 6
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(503) 286-1291/Fax: (503) 286-9592
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