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Longtime Southeast Stark street hangout Bonfire Lounge is getting a new owner—its next-door neighbor.
The owner of New York-style pizza by the slice spot Baby Doll Pizza, Travis Miranda, has bought Bonfire Lounge from previous owners George and Demetri Kassapakis.
The bar has been quietly for sale for years, but only for the right owner and the right price, says barstaff—who also told WW that building-owner George Kassapakis had previously turned down offers from developers to buy the building to tear it down for new mixed-use apartments.
Miranda says that any changes he makes Bonfire will be gradual, and that he plans to retain all of the bar staff.
"I've known everyone there for three and half years," he tells WW. "They're one of the biggest assets the bar has. They love that place."
Otherwise, he says, he plans to slowly update the food and cocktail menus, plus freshen the paint and re-top the bar; any renovation time would be measured in days, not weeks. In particular, he says, he'll focus the kitchen more on making food from scratch.
But Miranda does plan one big change almost immediately—which may not be noticeable to patrons of the bar.
He currently serves Baby Doll Pizza in part out of a commissary kitchen in the central eastside industrial area at about 3rd Avenue and Clay Street. He plans to move Baby Doll's commissary operation into the Bonfire kitchen.
He doesn't know yet whether he'll serve Baby Doll pizza at Bonfire.
"I'd like to see if Bonfire can do it on its own," he says. But no matter what, patrons would be allowed to bring their slices next door to eat at Bonfire while they drink.
George Kassapakis still owns the property on which Bonfire sits, and also owns or co-owns both Charlie Horse Saloon on Belmont Street and See See Motor Coffe Co. on Sandy Boulevard. His brother, Demetri, owns the Hilt on Northeast Alberta Street, and plans soon to open Pop Tavern and Cafe in the old Duckett's space on North Killingsworth, across from Killingsworth Dynasty.
Willamette Week