Cart Blocks

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Cart Blocks
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LocationPortland, Oregon, U.S.
Cart Blocks is located in Oregon
Cart Blocks
Cart Blocks
Cart Blocks is located in the United States
Cart Blocks
Cart Blocks
Coordinates: 45°31′21.4″N 122°40′43″W / 45.522611°N 122.67861°W / 45.522611; -122.67861

Cart Blocks is a food cart pod in Portland, Oregon's Ankeny Square, in the United States. It is operated by Friends of the Green Loop[1] and has capacity for 24 to 26 carts.[2]

History

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Food carts on the perimeter of Ankeny Square, 2022

The pod opened in 2021, following closure of the Alder Street food cart pod in 2019.[3][4] Permitting for the pod took longer than expected.[5] Some of the food carts that had been displaced by the closing and developing of the former location were temporarily housed at a nearby Post Office and eventually moved here to continue their businesses.[6]

The pod is part of a vision to revitalize downtown Portland through building a “culinary corridor,” which would allow carts to occupy parking spaces across several North-South blocks[7] stretching from Portland State University to NW Burnside Blvd as part of the Green Loop.[8] Former mayor Ted Wheeler supported the Cart Blocks by setting aside financing for them in his budget recommendations for 2021[9] and a federal grant was obtained in 2022 to connect the Cart Blocks with Darcelle XV Plaza.[10]

The city hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the pod's opening.[11] In December 2023, Portland signed a five-year deal to keep the pod open.[12]

Events

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The pod has hosted events. In 2023, the site hosted a floral installation,[13] as well as a dance party and ice cream social following the Pride Bike Ride.[14][15][16] In 2024, the Cart Blocks hosted another dance party for Pride[17] and a Juneteenth market highlighting Black-owned businesses.[18] In 2025, the pod hosted "illuminated" performances as part of an LED drag show.[19]

Businesses

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Rachel & Rose, 2022

Businesses that have operated at the site include:

References

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  1. ^ Griggs, Taylor. "Darcelle XV Plaza, Formerly O'Bryant Square, Ignites Heated Debate About Public Space". Portland Mercury. Archived from the original on March 27, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  2. ^ Ramachandran, Sagarika. "A moveable feast: Food carts roll with changes". Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on February 24, 2025. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  3. ^ Russell, Michael (July 22, 2021). "Cart Blocks, new home for downtown Portland food carts displaced by Ritz-Carlton, to hold grand opening Saturday". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on July 22, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  4. ^ Peel, Sophie (July 22, 2021). "Displaced Food Cart Pod Downtown Is Finally Opening New Location Saturday". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on July 23, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  5. ^ Jaquiss, Nigel (December 16, 2020). "The City of Portland Wants Visitors to Come Back Downtown—but It Hasn't Given a Food Cart Pod Permission to Operate". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on February 24, 2025. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  6. ^ Gallivan, Joseph (July 17, 2019). "Alder Street food carts moving three blocks to Ankeny Square". Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on February 24, 2025. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  7. ^ Singer, Matthew (July 22, 2021). "The Alder Street Food Carts Have Found a New Home". Willamette Week. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
  8. ^ "The Cart Blocks Comeback". Willamette Week. July 7, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
  9. ^ Peel, Sophie (April 30, 2021). "Tucked Into the Portland Mayor's Budget: An Elusive Food Cart Pod". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on December 5, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
  10. ^ Egener, Max (October 4, 2022). "Enhancements coming to Downtown Portland street plazas". Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on February 24, 2025. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  11. ^ Burch, Liz (July 22, 2021). "Portland kicks off downtown revitalization celebration". KOIN.com. Archived from the original on July 23, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  12. ^ Carter, Veronica (December 14, 2023). "Cart Block to Stay in Downtown Portland". KXL. Archived from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  13. ^ "Portland's florals on display in Bloom Tour through downtown, Old Town". KOIN.com. April 14, 2023. Archived from the original on April 21, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  14. ^ "8 things to do this weekend in Portland | June 2–4". KGW. May 31, 2023. Archived from the original on June 4, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  15. ^ "Pride Month events happening around Portland". KGW. June 2, 2023. Archived from the original on July 12, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  16. ^ "Portlanders ride their bikes with Pride through downtown in Pedalpalooza event". KPTV. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  17. ^ "8 things to do this weekend in Portland | May 31- June 2". kgw.com. May 30, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  18. ^ "Where to find Juneteenth celebrations throughout Portland". KOIN.com. June 14, 2024. Archived from the original on June 15, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  19. ^ "What to Do in Portland (Feb. 12–18, 2025)". Willamette Week. February 11, 2025. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Five Lunch Spots for Your Next Wednesday Downtown". Willamette Week. February 15, 2023. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  21. ^ Mahoney, Teresa (January 7, 2025). "Portland cookie cart serves freshly baked cookies the size of baseballs". The Oregonian. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  22. ^ Smith, Suzette. "Update: Food Cart Kim Jong Grillin Will Move to Downtown Cart Blocks Pod". Portland Mercury. Archived from the original on March 27, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  23. ^ Elise, Ayo (July 11, 2023). "Rachel & Rose brings the rooftop bar experience to Portland's 'Cart Blocks'". KPTV. Archived from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
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