Portland observer., June 27, 2012, Page 5, Image 5

June 27, 2012
jflortlaitb (Observer
Page 5
Reflections to Close
is. It would be great for the commu­ Although she has felt a part of each
nity. I would hate to see more police of them in her own way, she said she
facilities in here,” she said.
is excited to soon have have the time
Although she is sad to see Re­ to visit some of the places discussed.
continued ± from page 3
Reflexions for the past few years. realize how great of a need there was flections close, McMurtry said the “Like Groundworks Portland,” she
“There is.nothing else around here for a place like Reflections until later. end is both bitter and sweet. “It has said. “Maybe I will go down there
The inside is anything but simple, that facilitates this type of thing.”
Now, however, she can see how been a long time of doing the same and help with the garden.”
with posters of upcoming cultural
“It is a social place for me to talk important Reflections became for thing, and I look forward to taking
She in v ites ev ery o n e from
and community events arranged on philosophy, religion and look at the community.
time off and enjoying the summer. throughout Portland to visit Reflec­
the counters and imported African some of the pretty women,” said
According to M cM urtry, the But I’ll pop up somewhere.”
tions in its last week. To the commu­
art lining the windows.
Daryl Griffith, who was taking pic­ building is owned by the city, which
For years, she has watched orga­ nity who has made Reflections the
Since opening in 1995, residents tures outside Reflections last week. has the final say in what the space nizations hold meetings at the store space it is today, she said, “A great
have visited the coffee house to He said he remembers 17-years-ago, will become in the future. “I really and talk about the services and big thank you, and a lot of hugs and
grab a fresh cup of coffee, enjoy a w hen he h e lp e d in sta ll the hope it (the property) stays what it events they plan for the community. kisses.”
homemade slice of cake or peruse
through books about African Ameri­
can history. Others venture to the
small business to say hello to long
time friends, play a game of chess or
dive into political debates about the
current state of the country.
“Throughout the years there
have been music shows, art shows,
baby showers, and retirement par­
ties,” said Owner Gloria McMurtry
with a smile. “We have had it all.”
Although she never thought she
would own a coffee shop, McMurtry
said she is beyond grateful for the
experiences and customers from
throughout the past 17-years.
Today, McMurtry said the name
Reflections has stuck true to its
name. “It was always reflections of
how things used to be,” she said,
referring to a line in a song from the
60s. “The mission was always to
feature local artists and promote the
community.
“I wanted Reflections to mirror a
traditional coffee shop, where people
gather to talk and discuss, she said. “It
has never been just a stop,” she said.
Although she is thankful for ev­
photo by M indy C ooper /T he P ortland O bserver
eryone who has supported the busi­
Reflections
coffee
shop
and
Talking
Drum
bookstore
has
been
a
staple
for
the
northeast
community since opening its doors in 1995.
ness throughout the years, the
The small business will close this week on Saturday, June 30, after serving the community for more than 1 7-years.
changing neighborhood and tough
economy has made business diffi­
cult. “We are closing because busi- countertops and paint the floors,
ness isn’t sustaining any longer,”
Abassi Myrack, 18, has worked
she said. “Gentrification, competi- at Reflections for the past four
tion and the economy— when they months. “I like the environment,” he
come into succession, it becomes said. “There are nice people. I like to
hard for a business to sustain it.” come to feel the breeze of informa­
McMurtry said she has watched tion.”
as the neighborhood surrounding
Myrack, who grew up in north­
her business changed over the east Portland, said he likes to hear
years. “Unfortunately, the audience the debates, what customers have
Truly making a difference in the lives of
and neighborhood we first were, is to say and their beliefs about the
Auto Accident victims and Injured Workers for nearly 20 years.
no lo n g er around because of world. “It (Reflections) kept the little
If you or someone you know has been in an accident,
gentrification,” she said. “But it was culture left within the community.
call us so we can help you with your needs. (503) 284-7838
kind of a natural force of events and There used to be a lot up and down
it happened all across the nation.” Alberta and Killingsworth,” he said.
At the time she opened the coffee “I am proud to be a part of it. There
We are located on the
shop, there was no other place like are other places, but for me, this is
it around, she said. “New people my home.”
corner o f MLK and Russell
have moved into the neighborhood,
Myrack said he has also truly
Street, on the second floor
but it used to be primarily African enjoyed working with McMurtry.
above the coffee shop.
American. Now it is younger white “She is a strong woman, nice lady
people.”
and she is very supportive of the
But northeast has always at­ community,” he said.
tracted a good caliber of people, she
Ulsi agreed. “This woman has
said, adding that she is proud of the invested a lot to create an atmo­
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mark Reflections has made within sphere,” he said. “She (Gloria) has
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the community. “To me, it has al- got so many talents, I don't know
Parking Area
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ways had a real homey feeling,” she how she does it.”
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said. “My customers are great.”
“She gives all these talents to the
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“In the state of Oregon, this is community. She is just kind and
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probably the best and most central understanding.”
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ethnic place. Everybody doing
When McMurtry first opened
Russell St.
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something can advertise it here,” her business it was the only coffee
w
said Ulis Hardiman, a regular of house north of Broadway. She didn't
Chiropractic Auto Injury Clinic, PC
Zchon R. Jones, DC
333 NE Russell St., #200, Portland, OR. 97212
(503) 284-7838
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