September 2011
FEATURES
The Southwest Portland Post • 5
JoLa Café is the perfect spot in Johns Landing for an espresso bar and bistro
RESTAURANT REVIEW
JoLa’s eclectic menu.
Entertainment starts at 5:30 p.m.
with John’s Landing’s own Adam
By Polina Olsen
The Southwest Portland Post
Zack Hegge found the perfect
place to open a neighborhood bis-
tro. The cozy storefront on a shady
John’s Landing street called out
while he walked his dog. Located
next door to the Corbett Fish House,
the previous coffee shop had recent-
ly closed. “With the right team and
hard work,” Hegge said, “I knew we
could pull it off.”
With an interest in reusing old
objects, he turned wooden doors
into a counter. Salvaged fir flooring
became wainscoting; Hippo Hard-
ware provided the lights.
The large room is divided into two
main spaces. Jazz floats through one
area while an absence of speakers
makes the other ideal for conversa-
tion. Although the JoLa Café’s grand
opening happens Saturday, Septem-
ber 10, neighbors say it’s already a
favorite spot.
“The grand opening begins at
4:30 p.m. with Stumptown Coffee
tasting,” Hegge said. Samples from
Asia, Africa and Latin America
served in demitasse cups will ac-
company hor d’oeuvres from from
Pierce and his version of “acoustic
rock.” At 6 p.m. jazz pianist Galen
Clark will accompany opera singer
Hannah Penn as she swings from
French cabaret to folk to rock.
Proceeds from the opening will
benefit the Boys and Girls Aid Soci-
ety, an organization also located on
Corbett Avenue, a few blocks down.
After the grand opening, café
hours will expand. While they close
at 3 p.m. now, that will change to 6
p.m. most days. Menus will change.
Now limited to breakfast and
lunch with treats like Frittata of
the Day ($4.50), Roasted Vegetable
Panini ($6.75), and Bacon and To-
mato Brushetta ($6.75), small dinner
plates like Prosciutto on Toasted
Flat Bread ($6.75) will be available
along with wine and beer.
“I wanted a casual place where
people in the community could
meet up for coffee or a light meal,”
Hegge said. “We like to buy local,
and we serve high quality food and
drinks at a reasonable price. Part of
it is enhancing the neighborhood.
John’s Landing already has great
burgers and fries so we wanted to
offer something a little different.
Part of the idea is to host art shows
Josh McLaughlin, Zack Hegge and Tucker enjoy a latte at John's Landing's latest
cafe. (Post photo by Polina Olsen)
where we open the space to the local
art community.”
Local artwork already lines JoLa’s
walls. Outdoor seating includes
treats for dogs from Lexi Boutique
& Social Club, the spot on Macadam
Avenue where Hegge’s own dog
plays.
“One morning a neighbor came in
for the first time,” Hegge said. “We
were explaining what we do and it
turned out the person behind her
was her neighbor. They met each
other for the first time here. For me,
that’s success.”
JoLa Café is located at 5915 SW
Corbett Ave. Hours are Monday to
Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday-
Sunday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. After Sep-
tember 10, hours expand to 6 p.m.
most days. The grand opening is
Saturday, Sept. 10 from 4:30 p.m.
to 7 p.m. For more information call
503.244.1812 or visit www.jolacafe.
com.
Come visit our
fabulous Staff!
Each of these
stylists have been
promoted. We
are so proud of
them.
Maggie!
Katherine!
Lindsey!
NEW GUEST
SPECIAL!
Cut and Color
only $46.99
Come check
them out!
4oz of color. New guests
only. Not valid with other
offers.
CHELSEA!