6 • The Southwest Portland Post
NEWS
May 2012
Local business transitions from store to café to sports bar
By Jillian Daley
The Southwest Portland Post
A coffee shop/sports bar on tap to
open this month (May) in Southwest
Portland is causing a stir.
Owner Carrie Goudge wants to cre-
ate a neighborhood gathering place at
Skippy’s, 5435 SW Taylors Ferry Rd,
said Goudge’s husband, Jim Murphy,
who spoke on her behalf.
According to Leonard Gard of South-
west Neighborhoods, Inc., the es-
tablishment is located on the border
between the Crestwood and Ashcreek
neighborhoods.
The plan is for the business to serve
as a café in the morning, a deli dur-
ing lunchtime and a sports bar in the
afternoon and evenings, Murphy said.
Skippy’s, which will be able to accom-
modate about 30 patrons, will offer
video poker and karaoke.
Some neighbors began voicing con-
cerns after learning of the Full On-
Premises Sales alcohol license Goudge
applied for in February for Skippy’s.
A full license permits the sale of beer,
wine, hard cider and mixed drinks con-
taining distilled spirits such as vodka,
rum or gin.
Skippy’s will be located in the build-
ing that previously held House Market,
a convenience store that had an Off-
Premises Sales alcohol license.
Such a license permits the sale of
sealed containers of beer, wine and
cider, said Christie Scott, public affairs
specialist for the Oregon Liquor Con-
trol Commission.
The OLCC has authority over licens-
The owners of this building have applied for a liquor license for their new cafe
& bar on SW Taylors Ferry Road, called Skippy's. (Post photo by Jillian Daley)
ing; however, the local government and
neighbors may submit recommenda-
tion or opposition letters.
The City of Portland in March told
the OLCC it is neither for nor against
the application.
The Ashcreek and Crestwood neigh-
borhood associations in April submit-
ted letters opposing the application for
an expanded liquor license. Both neigh-
borhood associations cited possible
issues including noise and parking.
Ashcreek also expressed concern
about traffic safety because Taylors
Ferry is a busy street.
Ashcreek will not oppose the appli-
cation if a good neighbor agreement
can be reached with the owner, said
Dean Smith, president of the Ashcreek
Neighborhood Association. Crestwood
Neighborhood Association president
John Prouty said his association sup-
ports such an agreement.
Murphy said Goudge, as of mid-
April, had planned to sign that pact
with neighbors when it is completed.
He said all his wife wants is for Skip-
py’s (named for a friend who died) to
be a place neighbors will love.
Murphy said in the past three de-
cades he has owned several sports
bars and pubs, and his wife always
supported him.
“Now, it’s her time to shine,” he said.
At press time, Skippy’s hours had not
been set, and a business phone number
had not been established. A Facebook
page is in the works.
PoSt A to Z BuSineSS CARd diReCtoRy 503-244-6933