Restaurant, Dance Studio Coming to Downtown

In the two months since property developer, Tim Fuller unveiled the Vintage Tanning Salon, interest in what is coming next to the revitalized downtown Opera Block properties has not waned. In a Facebook Live video post earlier this week, Fuller unveil the much anticipated next phase. 136 Kent Street is soon to be the home of Portland’s newest restaurant called Gather.

Fuller says that the plan is to, “...restore the front… to the original 1880 facade and the interior will be...the historic-modern look,” as seen in Vintage Tanning and the residential unit unveiled around Christmas time last year. The restaurant will feature a full array of fresh baked goods from the restaurant’s in house bakery. The menu is currently under development in partnership with a 5-star chef from Grand Rapids. “...It’s pretty phenomenal food,” says Fuller. Sure to be the highlight of the new restaurant is it’s seating overlooking the river.

Also in the works is a dance studio, Opera Block Academy of Dance which will offer a full array of dance instruction as well as fitness classes. Fuller says that the studio will eventually become a hub for dietary advice and nutritious prepared meals. Dance instructor, Jenny Roman is excited offer everything from, “little kid’s classes...tap, jazz, ballet, tumbling. You name it we’ll be doing it!”

“It’s going to be an exciting couple of spaces...and it’s going to bring a lot back to downtown again,” says Fuller. Construction on the restaurant space will begin in the next 4 weeks, with a opening in the spring of 2019. The dance studio is planned to open this winter. As the property progresses, more information will be coming to Facebook at @gatherinportland.