Yesterday, after having a great talk with the Director of the Sustainable Business Network of Portland, I needed to kill sometime before the next bus came. About two steps after having this thought, I looked up to see the intriguing ¿Por Que No? Taqueria sign. On this beautiful Portland day, they had their garage doors open to the street and, even though it was about 3 pm on a Thursday afternoon, the place was full. I found a seat at the bar and started to look around at all the people, taking a moment to enjoy the afternoon.
Just in front of me were colorful jars of fresh tropical juices & hibiscus teas, so vibrant that the sight of them brought me to a tropical beach. Coming out of my momentary vacation, I discovered the taqueria’s manifesto, framed with pride and displayed on the bar. After reading a moment, I began to understand that these people get what makes a local living economy. It begins only with their dedication to supporting more sustainable products, such as serving line-caught fish and local meats, building with recycled materials, and using only their own waste vegetable oil to run the company vehicle. But they also understand what really makes a healthy community. They focus on their responsibility as part of the whole by supporting local non-profits, schools and the people. The thing is, when you do for the community, the community gives back.
More so, this manifesto discusses fairness to the people and the planet while still meeting the financial bottom line. In times like these, people are being more thoughtful about where they put their bucks, thus places like ¿Por Que No? are packed even in the most unlikely of times.
4635 SE Hawthorn Blvd.
503.954.3138
I am trying to get a print of the manifesto. I will post it if they send it over.
Hi, Emily – saw your post just before I was heading down to Portland for a weekend trip (I live in BC) and decided I had to experience ?Por Que No? too (NYTimes also mentioned the place in their recent “Frugal Portland” piece). I absolutely loved it, even the bike parking out front! My husband and I went to the other location (N. Mississippi Ave)… here are some pics in case you want to add them to your collection for the manifesto. Thanks!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bernicepaul/