Posted on Oct 27, 2023
Is Portland infiltrating Seattle? Which city wins? Reporter's notebook
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"Portland vs. Seattle. Having lived in both cities, this is a debate I've heard quite often. It once again popped up after I wrote about Portland-based Voodoo Doughnut opening a Seattle location.
Aside from Voodoo showing up, Portland’s Salt & Straw is expanding its footprint in the Seattle area, and Stumptown just booted Starbucks off of Alaska Airlines. And I hear some folks are even getting their news from a Portland State graduate who has infiltrated Seattle public radio...
“Is Seattle being ‘infiltrated’ by Portland brands?” one voice murmured around the KUOW office. Is Portland better? Is Portland winning?"
Aside from Voodoo showing up, Portland’s Salt & Straw is expanding its footprint in the Seattle area, and Stumptown just booted Starbucks off of Alaska Airlines. And I hear some folks are even getting their news from a Portland State graduate who has infiltrated Seattle public radio...
“Is Seattle being ‘infiltrated’ by Portland brands?” one voice murmured around the KUOW office. Is Portland better? Is Portland winning?"
Is Portland infiltrating Seattle? Which city wins? Reporter's notebook
Posted from kuow.org
Portland
Seattle
Posted 7 mo ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."Seattle vs Portland
Chris Schultz worked for many years at Seattle-based Starbucks and MOD Pizza, and is currently CEO of Portland's Voodoo Doughnut. Kim Malek spent most of her life living in Seattle before moving to Portland, starting up Salt & Straw, and expanding those ice cream shops back into Seattle. It makes sense that these two would be involved with some cross pollination between the Northwest's two largest cities.
"I think the attitude and essence are more similar than they are different," Schultz said about Portland and Seattle.
"Having lived for many, many years in Seattle, and now Portland, obviously the downtowns are different, but the attitudes of the people are more alike ... They're more similar than they are apart."
Malek said Seattle and Portland are more like “cousins,” adding, "I love Portland, but I don't think we compete with Seattle.”
"Portland is so much smaller than Seattle," Malek said. "We don't have those super huge companies. We only have a couple Fortune 500 companies."
If you Google pros and cons about Seattle or Portland, you'll get lists that state the same things: Close to nature, people are cold/reserved, decent job opportunities, it rains a lot, food scene is great, cost of living is horrid. Also, coffee, beer, entrepreneurialism. I'd add that no matter if I'm in Seattle or Portland, I can easily find a pinball machine.
Look at the big picture. Portland sent up Stumptown coffee, Salt & Straw, and Nike shoes. Seattle sent down Starbucks (obviously), MOD Pizza, and I'll claim Seattle cred for Red Robin, too. Portland sent up Bishops barbershop, and Seattle sent down Rudy's, so it's not worth splitting hairs there. Notice all those Columbia jackets around Seattle? Well, Portland got an REI (which sells Columbia jackets). I'd throw out some beer examples, but let's be honest, you all just drink IPA anyway. Portland has "Portlandia," and Seattle has "Almost Live!" (it's still relevant, fight me). Both cities shop on Amazon and lie about it to their friends."...
..."Seattle vs Portland
Chris Schultz worked for many years at Seattle-based Starbucks and MOD Pizza, and is currently CEO of Portland's Voodoo Doughnut. Kim Malek spent most of her life living in Seattle before moving to Portland, starting up Salt & Straw, and expanding those ice cream shops back into Seattle. It makes sense that these two would be involved with some cross pollination between the Northwest's two largest cities.
"I think the attitude and essence are more similar than they are different," Schultz said about Portland and Seattle.
"Having lived for many, many years in Seattle, and now Portland, obviously the downtowns are different, but the attitudes of the people are more alike ... They're more similar than they are apart."
Malek said Seattle and Portland are more like “cousins,” adding, "I love Portland, but I don't think we compete with Seattle.”
"Portland is so much smaller than Seattle," Malek said. "We don't have those super huge companies. We only have a couple Fortune 500 companies."
If you Google pros and cons about Seattle or Portland, you'll get lists that state the same things: Close to nature, people are cold/reserved, decent job opportunities, it rains a lot, food scene is great, cost of living is horrid. Also, coffee, beer, entrepreneurialism. I'd add that no matter if I'm in Seattle or Portland, I can easily find a pinball machine.
Look at the big picture. Portland sent up Stumptown coffee, Salt & Straw, and Nike shoes. Seattle sent down Starbucks (obviously), MOD Pizza, and I'll claim Seattle cred for Red Robin, too. Portland sent up Bishops barbershop, and Seattle sent down Rudy's, so it's not worth splitting hairs there. Notice all those Columbia jackets around Seattle? Well, Portland got an REI (which sells Columbia jackets). I'd throw out some beer examples, but let's be honest, you all just drink IPA anyway. Portland has "Portlandia," and Seattle has "Almost Live!" (it's still relevant, fight me). Both cities shop on Amazon and lie about it to their friends."...
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