The Corporate Division of the Oregon Secretary of State is working directly with businesses seeking answers and resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to address some of the questions being asked, they’ve posted an FAQ sheet. Click the link below to view the entire list. We will also be posting two of the FAQs individually to METBA’s facebook page.
COVID-19 Resources for Businesses
We understand that this is a difficult time for families, individuals, those experiencing homelessness — everyone, in other words. As METBA is a business association, I thought I would gather and share resources for businesses specifically here. Montavilla is not Montavilla without our amazing local businesses. We need them and they need us. (disclaimer: I wanted to get this out quickly, so please pardon my typos and forgive me if the sources below repeat the same information)
Small Business Advocacy
Businesses without employees or with fewer than 100 employees can contact the Office of Small Business Assistance via email at business.sos@oregon.gov or by calling toll free 1-844-469-5512.
Work Share Oregon
When times are tough, Work Share provides Oregon businesses an alternative to layoffs. This newly streamlined program allows employers to leverage unemployment insurance (UI) to subsidize a portion of lost wages for employers whose work time is reduced due to market downturns or other business stressors.
State of Oregon Employment Department
The health and safety of workplaces is of utmost importance to the Oregon Employment Department. This summary provides general guidance to employers, workers, and job seekers who may be impacted by the COVID-19 coronavirus. This document will be updated as more information becomes available. The Oregon Employment Department is working with partner agencies nationwide and the U.S. Department of Labor to ask for additional unemployment benefits options related to COVID-19.
Oregon Health Authority’s Respiratory Illness Page
COVID-19/coronavirus news from the state, nation, and globe.
Predictive Scheduling
Oregon’s predictive scheduling law applies only to employers with 500+ employees and requires certain advance notice of scheduling changes.
Sick Time and Oregon Law
Oregon sick time laws apply to Portland businesses with 6 or more employees.
Oregon Family Leave Act
The Oregon Family Leave Act applies to businesses with 25 or more employees.
More Resources
COVID-19 Interim Guidance for Businesses
Greater Portland: Response to Coronavirus
Nonprofit Oregon COVID-19 Resources
Small Business Administration Disaster Relief Loan Info
7 Things To Do in Montavilla this Spring
Shop at the Montavilla Farmers Market
Starting May 5th, the market is open every Sunday through October from 10 am to 2 pm. Buy local fresh produce and farm-based products. The market is located in the parking lot across from Mr. Plywood on Stark Street.
Stop by the METBA Spring Block Party May 18th
This annual event is an afternoon of music, art, food, wine, and family-friendly activities. The fun begins at 3 pm and goes till 9 pm on 81st Ave between Stark St. and Oak St. Check out our Montavilla.biz events page for more details.
Join a Neighborhood Clean Up
Participate in an existing event or even organize a clean up for your area. The city of Portland has neighborhood resources like SE Uplift to help you get started. Love Mt.Tabor? The nonprofit Friends of Mt.Tabor offers volunteer opportunities throughout the year.
Behold a Mt. Tabor Sunrise or Sunset
Bring your camera and take in spectacular views of the Portland cityscape or Mt.Hood. Be on the look out for the beautiful mid-May rhododendrons blooms. The park gates open at 5 am and close at 10 pm. Note the park is closed to motor vehicles on Wednesdays.
Participate in the Local Arts Scene
Attend an art walk, hear local music, or attend some live theater. Here are a few ideas:
- Mt. Tabor Art Walk, May 18th & 19th
- Portland Metro Arts, The Firebird, May 4th , Les Ruses d’Amour ballet starting May 4th
Remember Your Mom
Score major Mom points with these gift ideas for Mother’s Day:
- Paint some pottery at Pottery Fun
- Frame some art for her at KB Custom Frames
- Gift a massage from our local businesses: Cocoon Massage, Genuine Movement, Serenity Therapeutic Massage
Hop on your bike
A bike ride is a great way to find some of our neighborhood gems:
- Find a Little Free Library near you. Use LittleFreeLibrary.org’s map locator to plan your route.
- Treat yourself with Cold as Ice ice cream at Heartbreaker Neighborhood Kitchen
- Stand in an extinct volcano at the caldera on Mt.Tabor
- Find the Stone Obelisk Mile Markers/ Baseline Mile markers on Stark St. (was once called Baseline) that date back to 1854.
Get out and enjoy springtime in Montavilla!
7 Things to do in Montavilla This Winter
1. Frosty Fest
The Montavilla East Tabor Business Association (METBA) is sponsoring holiday inspired
events to help you get in the holiday spirit:
- Merry Montavilla Soiree:
Thursday, December 6th from 5pm to close
Join the Montavilla Business Association in Downtown Montavilla for discounts and specials on drinking, shopping, tasting, and holiday merriment! In the spirit of the season, please bring a canned food to donate to the Sunshine Division. - Santa and Hanukkah Harry Saturday – Saturday, December 8th from 11am to 2pm at Vino Veritas
Santa Claus and Hanukkah Harry will visit Montavilla! Stop by Vino Veritas (7835 SE Stark) on December 8th to create crafts, drink hot cocoa, sip mimosa, and take photos (bring your camera). Please bring a canned food to donate to the Sunshine Division. - Vote for your favorite METBA business Holiday Window Display between November 30 and December 16
- Free Movie Screening – A Christmas Story December 16th at 2 pm at the Academy Theater
2. Shop Local
Take advantage of METBA’s unique business community and shop local. While you are out, pick up the METBA 2018 District Map that lists the diverse businesses in your community. Please everyone on your list with gifts of services, memberships, gift certificates, and many other unique options. When you need to replenish your shopping stamina, pop into our many cafes for caffeinated coffee, tea, and sweets: Bipartisan Cafe, Fillmore Coffee, Hungry Heart PDX, and Townshend’s Teahouse Montavilla.
3. Prepare for the weather
The Portland winter weather is upon us. METBA businesses such as Mr. Plywood can help you with weather-proofing your home. Should home projects go awry, you don’t have to go far to find exceptional physical therapists, such as New Heights Physical Therapy and Therapeutic Associates East Portland Physical Therapy.
4. See a Holiday movie at the Academy Theater
Our local theater offers a series of holiday inspired movies each November and December. Favorites such as The Wiz, West Side Story, Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, It’s A Wonderful Life, and My Neighbor Totoro offer something for everyone. Check out the Academy Theater website for a detailed list. Be sure to see the FREE screening of A Christmas Story December 16th at 2 pm. First come, first served, so arrive early!
5. Donate or volunteer
There are many local nonprofits that welcome your gifts of time or resources. The Montavilla United Methodist Church sponsors the Open Hearts Food Pantry every third weekend of the month. METBA’s Frosty Fest provides events in which you can drop off canned food for the Sunshine Division, making it easy for you to share some holiday good will. The Montavilla Farmers Market is offering the Everybody Eats Program once again for their December 23rd market day.
6. Get Your Art On!
You don’t have to go far to find great live music and theater in Montavilla:
- Portland Metro Arts – theater and dance for the whole family
- Vino Veritas – live music every Friday at 7 pm and Jazz Happy Hour every Sunday at
5 pm - Beanstalk – Micah and Me Music Show Monday December 3rd, 10-11 am. FREE
- Montavilla Guitar Studio – The MGS Student Showcase is December 16th, 5:30-7:30 pm at Montavilla United Methodist Church, or Make your own music with guitar and Ukulele lessons for all ages.
7. Tuck in for a Sip
Need a break from the season? Montavilla can offer many satisfying beverage options to
put that cheer back in your day: Beer Bunker, Blank Slate, East Glisan Pizza Lounge,
Montavilla Brew Works, Redwood, Roscoe’s, Thatchers Restaurant and Lounge, The
Observatory, and Vino Veritas.
Fall News
Greetings, members and friends! Fall is upon us and there is a lot happening in Montavilla.
Next week, METBA is holding its annual member meeting on October 8th at Vino Veritas from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Head on out to learn more about what we do, meet your fellow neighborhood business owners, and let us know what’s on your mind.
METBA is also hosting its quarterly mixer event in November. Stop by Blank Slate on Monday the 12th from 6:30 to 8:00 for complimentary drinks, snacks, and conversation with all of our amazing METBA members. This is a great opportunity to get to know your community.
Also in October: Come and celebrate with us on Glisan St. at our annual Harvest Festival! On October 27th, from 12:00 to 4:00 PM, our friends at Therapeutic Associates will be hosting this event with an array of fun autumnal activities for kids and families. There will be a carnival, crafts, live music, and a prize for the best costume.
With the change of season comes a change in schedule for the Montavilla Farmers Market. Their regular season comes to a close on October 28th, but there will be a Thanksgiving Market on November 18th, and winter stock-up markets in December, January, and February.
In new business news: if you haven’t yet had the chance, be sure to check out the full-fledged food cart pod on Stark and 76th. Options include Hawaiian/Korean fare from Namu, Mexican from Azul Tequila, Jamaican from Jamrock, Thai from Thai Carnation, and coffee from Nectar. We are always excited to see more options for eating local!
Also, the good folks at Threshold Brewing have been working hard all summer long to get ready for opening day and they are almost there! Stay tuned to social media for the announcement of their grand opening, which should be happening sometime around mid to late October.
We hope to see all of you members and neighbors out and about and let’s all remember to eat, drink, and shop local this fall!
Business Tax License Increase
The following information was provided by Venture Portland.
Mayor Wheeler’s proposed budget includes an increase in the Business License Tax (going from 2.2 percent of a businesses’ net income to 2.6 percent). It also includes, as an offset, a 21% increase in the Owners Compensation Deduction (going from $103,500 to $125,000).
Impact to Your Business
The proposed tax increase is .004 (or an additional $4 per $1,000 in taxes paid). The City created a calculator to determine how the proposed changes will impact your business. A few example scenarios:
$100,000 Net Income: Sole Proprietor would pay $650
$200,000 Net Income: Sole Proprietor would pay $1,950
$500,000 Net Income: Sole Proprietor would pay $9,750
Owners Compensation Deduction
The Owners Compensation Deduction currently allows business owners to deduct 75% of their net income, not to exceed $103,500 per owner, when filing their taxes. When the Owners Compensation Deduction had its last meaningful increase in 2014 (going from $92,000 to $100,000), the city estimated that more than 4,000 businesses would save $865,000 the year it went into effect. Please note, businesses grossing under $50,000 per year before expenses are exempt from paying the Business License Tax. For nonexempt businesses, the Owners Compensation Deduction allows them to deduct a portion of their net income pre-tax.
Proposed Use of Tax Increase
The Mayor expects the increased tax to generate $15 million/year. Per the Mayor’s proposed budget: “These changes [Business License Tax increase] would result in an estimated $15.3 million in additional revenues this year [7/1/18-6/30/19] to stabilize the budget for homeless services, invest more in moving people out of shelters and into housing, fund programs in the Police Bureau that support community-centered policing [add 49 Officers], add resources to trash and graffiti cleanup, and to provide additional small business support.” The Portland Business Alliance, which crafted the Business License Tax increase proposal with the Mayor, stated that the proposal: “also includes safeguards such as an annual review of program results, as well as a stated intention not to further raise the tax for at least ten years and to reconsider the increase if the tax environment in the city substantially changes.”
Action Needed: Like It, Hate It or Have Suggestions to Improve it – City Council Needs to Hear From You
Write a letter, call Commissioners or attend a Budget Hearing to let City Council know how your feel and what, if anything, you want in exchange for paying increased taxes. Letter writing best practices and City Council contact information are attached for your reference. Please cc: me on any emails sent to City Council and let me know if you plan to attend one of the hearings.
Budget Hearing Tonight – Thursday, 5/10 at City Hall (6-8pm)
Budget Hearing Next Week – Wednesday, 5/16 at City Hall (2-4pm)
Meet Your Local Business: Alena of alena botanica!
- What does your business do?
I design plant & hop inspired products, including home goods, glassware and apparel. I’ve been in business for about 10 years and use local fabricators to help create my products. Each of my designs tells a story about the plant and comes from an original photograph. - How long have you been doing business in Montavilla?
I’ve been living in Montavilla for about 6 months. Prior to that, I lived in the Foster-Powell area. I’m originally from Canada, but Vermont had been my home until I moved to Portland 3 years ago. I lived in Eugene in the 90’s after college. - What might readers be surprised to know about you?
Despite being a big plant geek, I’m not a vegetarian! I’m also proud to say that a brewing company I worked for in Vermont, The Alchemist, brewed a beer after me – the Alena IPA! - What do you like to do outside of your business?
I love visiting Portland’s nurseries. I’m a member of the Hardy Plant Society, so I always try to get out to open gardens. I’m a frequent traveler as well; I have a passion for the SW (New Mexico in particular) and find inspiration for my designs in the desert landscape. Oregon’s quiet coastal towns have been frequent destinations for me too. - What does a perfect day in Montavilla look like to you?
If I’m feeling extroverted, I’d start my day at Mt. Tabor Roastery on Glisan with my favorite blend, the Columbia. Afterwards, I’d hike up to Mt. Tabor. Later, I’d do some shopping at Union Rose and Maven in downtown Montavilla. Before seeing a movie at the Academy, I’d enjoy my favorite drink at Montavilla Brew Works, the Flam Tap IPA. Finally, I’d end my night by enjoying a Ginger Beer at the Observatory and getting some pizza at East Glisan Pizza Lounge. They have one of my favorite Happy Hours and it’s very close to home. If I am feeling introverted, I’d grab a coffee from Hungry Heart and spend the day working in my studio. - When you were a child, what did you want to professionally?
I actually wrote an essay in 8th grade talking about how I want to design things. I always used to think about rearranging furniture and loved to sketch and take photographs. I ended up receiving an education in biology, horticulture and landscape design. As time went on, I discovered my artistic side and my love of photography, plants and design melded together to create alena botanica, a plant-inspired design studio. - Any events coming up?
Yes!- da Vinci Arts Fair, December 2nd, 10-4:00
- Merry Montavilla Soiree: Pop-Up at Union Rose, Friday Dec. 8th, 4:00-8:00 pm
- Holiday Open House at alena botanica design studio, mid-December (Follow on Facebook: alena botanica or Instagram @alenabotanica for details)
Neighbors Want to Know: When Will a Full-Service Grocer Arrive in Montavilla?
This past spring, METBA mailed a survey to households in and around Montavilla. A primary goal for the
survey was to better understand what goods and services neighbors would benefit from having within
Montavilla’s business district.
There were 245 responses to the question: What good and services are missing in Montavilla?
It may come as no surprise that “grocery store” was the overwhelming choice, mentioned in 27% of all
responses. Montavilla has been without a full-service grocery store since 2013 when Safeway closed its location at 82 nd and Burnside. While several local specialty grocers are thriving, such as La Bouffe
International Gourmet, neighbors must still travel outside of the ‘hood for their general shopping needs.
Many respondents mentioned a need for a particular service (e.g., hair/nails), a particular type of
restaurant (e.g., taqueria), or a specific type of retail (i.e., more clothes!), but specific responses varied
considerably. However, several themes arose:
- “Grab and go,” inexpensive food options are lacking
- Kid-friendly options are being requested
- Some Montavilla residents yearn for a bookstore
- Glisan street needs more shops, restaurants, and services
If you have a business in mind that you’d like to see in Montavilla, recruit them! Download our 4-page guide to locating a business in Montavilla.
A final note of interest is that many respondents were requesting goods and services that actually
already exist in Montavilla! Did you know that Montavilla already has the following types of businesses?
- Dry cleaning (Sunshine on Glisan)
- Hardware (Mr. Plywood)
- Fitness (Cascade Athletic Club and Mt. Tabor Crossfit)
Are there other businesses in Montavilla that you could be taking advantage? Visit Montavilla.Biz to
view webpages for a wide variety of member businesses!
Meet Your Local Business: Pete Dills of Therapeutic Associates East Portland Physical Therapy
- What does your business do?
We’re a physical therapy clinic that specializes in movement rehabilitation. At our clinic, we believe that physical therapy can benefit anyone who is dealing with a movement related problem, not just those that are injured. In addition to our rehabilitative services, we also offer wellness, fitness, and general movement related classes and services to better serve our community through our Movement Arts Project Studio. - How long have you been doing business in Montavilla?
We just moved into our new location on Glisan Street on October 1st 2017 after spending 5 years at our old location on 102nd. I’ve been a clinic director since 2013, but Therapeutic Associates East Portland has been around for 34 years serving Gateway, Hazelwood, and Montavilla neighborhoods. - Did you always want to do physical therapy?
When I was growing up, I wanted to be an architect. I always liked design work, especially through the very structured and defined lens of architecture. I had a great biology professor in high school that piqued my interest in exercise physiology. Although I started college thinking I’d like to go to medical school, but ultimately felt that physical therapy better fit my interests and personality. I fell in love with the idea of understanding the human body, movement, and ultimately, helping others understand and improve their own movement related difficulties. - What might readers be surprised to know about your business?
Physical Therapy doesn’t have to be painfull! Generally, patients report feeling better when they leave. We are in the business of empowering and working as a team with our patients. We believe in setting up individual treatment plans for each and every one of our patients/clients. - What do you like to do outside of your business?
I’m a runner – I just did my first marathon last May! In the winters, I love to ski. Generally, I try to stay active, and my family certainly keeps me active outside of work. I have 2 wonderful children, ages 3 and 1 and I love spending time with them and my wife in our back yard in the summer and early Fall. - If Montavilla had a theme song, what would it be?
We’re All in This Together by Ben Lee. The whole community in Montavilla, between business and neighbors, is tight-knit. We can all benefit from each other’s success. - What does a perfect day in Montavilla look like to you?
There’s nothing better than spending a sunny day running on Mt. Tabor. We love the Observatory. It was one of the first places I went to in Montavilla, so we’d have to stop there as well. Also, with our new clinic build-out, I have honed my woodworking skills, and you can’t beat cruising around Mr. Plywood looking at their stock, dreaming about the next project. I’d end the day at Montavilla Brew Works, drinking any of their Pales or IPAs.
Pictured Above, Left to Right: Elizabeth Bilotta, Jaelin Cola, Pete Dills, Kai Berkedal, Kimberly Morrison, Jessica McConahay
Therapeutic Associates East Portland Physical Therapy is located at 8028 NE Glisan St, #B and is open from 6am-6pm Monday-Friday.
A Few Reasons Why You Should Visit East Glisan
Changes are happening fast in the City of Roses, and the Montavilla-East Tabor district is seeing them as well. Several new businesses have established their presence in the East Glisan sector of the district.
Blank Slate, which officially opened at 7201 NE Glisan Street in late May, serves craft cocktails, beer, wine and small plates in a contemporary yet cozy space.
Blank Slate – Negroni
Foster Buds (formerly Glisan Buds) has opened a second dispensary location in Montavilla, also at 7201 NE Glisan. It offers an array of products (edibles, topicals, concentrates, etc.), daily deals, and veterans and senior discounts.
Pizza from East Glisan Pizza Lounge
Rerun, a community re-sale store that has been in business since 2005 on NE Fremont Street, has opened a furniture annex at 6900 NE Glisan Street. The annex hours are 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Last year, Rerun won “Best of Portland” honors by WW voters in the category of Best Furniture.
Drunken Noodles from Paitong Thai
Along with these businesses, East Glisan is also home to METBA Association business members US Bank, Fillmore Coffee, Grocery Getter Organic, Highland Christian Center, East Glisan Pizza Lounge, Fressen Bakery (opening soon), Paitong Thai, Washman, Mt. Tabor Cross Fit, New Heights Physical Therapy, Roland Havens Insurance Agency, Si’s Auto Body, Sunshine on Glisan: Laundry and Cleaners,and Bridgetown Chiropractic.
