Three of us this overcast morning, ventured into NW to revisit this Anna Bananas outlet that claims to be Portland’s first coffee shop.  Our last time here we were not impressed: the shop is in a large house that had been neglected, and had the feeling of a rabbit’s warren, with corridors and stairways going off every which way.   We were told today by one of the owners that he and his partner – recently retired with no prior coffee shop experience – had a passion for keeping the building standing and shop going.  They’ve introduced a food menu, and spiffied it the building up a bunch.  It’s heartening to hear how he left his very stressful job, but now though working 6 days a week-plus, feels less stress and lots of joy.

Today’s discussion was filled mostly with humorous, self-effacing anecdotes:  H, for example, obliviously leaving his shoulder pack with laptop in the driveway of an Anacortes AirBNB and driving off to the San Juans ferry, only saved by wife P’s remembering that she left her library book back at the AirnB; G’s experience at the vacuum store with the salesman talking solely to his wife though he is the primary user; D’s tale of buying his current vacuum at Stark’s 20 years back, and their memorable salesmen.  We were no doubt stimulated in these anecdotes by the loud boomer couple next to us, most probably on their hfirst internet date with each otther.  He seemed to lean to small talk, while she wanted to get “answers to the big questions” around his intentions.  With her volume, it was hard for us not to hear.

1214 NW 21st                              annabannanasnw.com

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