Blind Ox Taphouse, home to Mix ‘n’ Match Boozy Ice Cream, closes their Fremont pub

Less than a year after opening, NE Portland’s Blind Ox Taphouse is closing up shop and their boozy ice cream Mix ‘n’ Match Creamery is going with them. Blind Ox was the first tenant to open at the former location of Alameda Brewing which closed in 2018 and sat vacant for 2 years. The taproom earned early buzz for it’s location and intermingling of beer and ice cream.

The Blind Ox social media post lays it out. "We regret to inform you ... Blind Ox is moving all operations to 4320 N Interstate Ave." the post begins, going on to say, "We are so sad to close our doors at Blind Ox Fremont due to failed lease negotiations." Apparently, terms offered by the building landlord were contrary to Blind Ox owners' stated desires, so they made the unhappy decision to terminate operations on NE Fremont Street and consolidate at the recently-opened smaller taproom. A going-away party was announced for members of their Blind Ox Society, and the last weekend of operation is August 28 and 29, 2021.

"We want to thank the community that has supported us throughout the pandemic." according to their announcement "We love the community and the relationships we have made. Because of you, business been great, and we would have loved to stay long-term, had the situation at the Alameda Hop building been different."

Blind Ox Taphouse in former Alameda Brewing space

It's always a difficult decision to cease operations, especially at a recently-opened taproom that was doing decent business during difficult times. There's a leased kitchen space, Nacheaux, in the pub, and its near-term fate is ambiguous, especially is there were plans to open something like a small private dining space at the back of the expansive room. Overlook neighborhood residents will continue to enjoy a broad beer selection of craft beers and other beverages on draft, but Fremont locals have been given suggestions for other neighborhood watering holes to visit.

The situation is also a reminder that there's a huge difference between operating a business on leased premises, and operating out of the business's owned premises. The hard part is that property prices in metro Portland, as in many West Coast cities, have skyrocketed, becoming increasingly unaffordable for startup businesses, thus forcing them into leases. Many businesses operate leases on good terms with their lease-holding landlords, so it's normally not a problem. In the meantime, the Blind Ox will continue operations at its newer, smaller Interstate Avenue taproom which opened just last month in the former Untapped space. It’s unclear what will happen to Mix ‘n’ Match Creamery’s boozy ice creams.

This weekend on Saturday 8/28 and Sunday 8/29 the Blind Ox is throwing a farewell liquidation party to say goodbye to the neighborhood and close out on some of the supplies that would otherwise go to waste. They also promise that outstanding gift cards and mug club memberships will continue to be accepted at their new location.

• $2 pints

• $4 crowlers

• $6 growler fills

• 50% off packaged beer

• Cocktail specials

• Live music 8/29 @ 4:30-9:00PM

Blind OX Fremont
4765 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97213

Blind OX Interstate
4320 N Interstate Ave, Portland, OR 97217