Multi-phase opening of Derby takeout in new, spacious location
Key Takeaways:
- Derby is a woman-owned restaurant by Filipino-American restaurateur, Judith Stokes. Derby was a cornerstone breakfast, lunch, and brunch restaurant in the Kenton neighborhood from June 2018 – Nov. 2020 and converted to a marketplace with a walkup window with food-to-go at the beginning of the pandemic.
- Embracing this model, Judith Stokes is re-opening up the street from the original location to a larger space that includes a generous patio at the back of the restaurant.
- Multi-phase opening will begin with online takeout and delivery services on June 16, 2021; outdoor dining on the patio will open on June 17, 2021, and the marketplace and bar will open on June 23, 2021. All phases of opening will take place in accordance with local and state guidelines as the pandemic continues in Portland.
Portland, Ore: On June 16, 2021, Derby will reopen its doors in the first of a multi-phase reopening in the Kenton neighborhood in North Portland. The restaurant opened in June 2018 at the corner of N. Denver and N. McClellan and quickly became a cornerstone in the Kenton neighborhood. When the pandemic first forced business to rethink how to generate business when in-restaurant dining was prohibited, owner Judith Stokes pivoted and changed from a sit-down restaurant to a marketplace with a walkup window for takeout food orders. Derby closed its doors in November 2020 to regroup and determine a way forward.
Prior to the pandemic, Judith noticed that grocery options in the neighborhood were a bit limited in number and variety. When the pandemic hit and people needed a way to stock their pantries without having to leave the neighborhood, she knew the time was right to enact her dream of having a small marketplace. “Having access to pantry staples and local, specialty items is key and I’ve always wanted to provide that to my immediate community.”
When asked why she chose to remain in the neighborhood, Judith said, “I knew I had to stay in the neighborhood if I was going to make a comeback. I have grown to love the community here so much and I want to continue to support them through this pandemic and beyond.” “There’s so much diversity in the businesses in the Kenton neighborhood and I want to continue to be a part of it and help to grow it even more.” Judith found a significantly larger space than she previously had half a block from her now-former location. “I, along with most people in the neighborhood, have always wanted to see that space come alive. There’s ample space for a variety of local pantry products, spices, salts, etc. and as dining in becomes safe again, there will be plenty of room for indoor and outdoor seating as well. I’m looking forward to really growing this space into a safe gathering place for the community.”
Derby will re-open first with online takeout service on June 16, 2021; then patio dining will begin on June 17, 2021. The marketplace and bar will open on June 23, 2021. The new space is located at 8220 N. Denver Ave. The marketplace will feature kitchen staples, specialty items curated from around the Northwest, primarily from women- and BIPOC-owned businesses. Judith will be featuring meats from Rossallini Farms, seafood from Wintermute Wild Food, as well as growing her own produce in cooperation with Black Food Sovereignty Coalition on Sauvie’s Island for sale in the market. All dining areas will be opened according to state guidelines in accordance with the State Health Authority as the pandemic continues.
The new space is located in the former 8212 Club, which was an infamous Portland gambling den, pinball parlor, and housed a bar in the upstairs of the building. The club is most known for the raid that was led by Multnomah County Sheriff Terry Schrunk in 1955, who later became one of Portland’s longest serving mayors. More recently, NBA star Terrell Brandon owned the building before the current owner, Jeffery Dood, purchased and renovated it.
For hours of operation and additional information, please visit www.derbypdx.com.
About Judith Stokes:
Judith is a bi-racial, working-class stalwart of the Portland service industry who has lifted herself up by the bootstraps and is determined to lift up as many people as possible along the way. She started working in local restaurants at 20 on the top floor of the Hilton at Alexander’s, opened the bar at Meriwether’s and the recent Driftwood Room, as well as opening the first Class IV food cart, Tita’s Pista, on Mississippi Avenue to name a few. She moved to Astoria in 2012 where she owned and operated Flourine & Co., a small spa and holistic skincare boutique, and Snackle Box, a local food cart. In 2018, the pull of family brought her back to Portland where she has hustled every day to bring her vision of good, simple, soul-nourishing food and drinks, along with stellar service, to the Portland area. Judy can’t stop, won’t stop, and is destined to keep raising up the Kenton neighborhood.