Shopping Centers Today

JUN 2017

Shopping Centers Today is the news magazine of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)

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J U N E 2 0 1 7 / S C T 19 fosters cross-cultural programs, including visits from international delegations, political outreach and promotion of Japanese-themed events in Portland. "We know people in Portland love doughnuts because of the success of Voodoo and the thriving food scene here," said Jessica Kulp, Blue Star's general manager. Blue Star's doughnuts are made from a classic brioche recipe that originated in the south of France. The dough is mixed from high-quality flour, cage-free eggs, hormone-free milk and European-style butter, then fried in rice oil. If you are in the mood for a traditional glazed or cinnamon-sugar doughnut, you'll find one at Blue Star, but the chain also pushes the envelope in terms of flavors. Its best sellers include a blueberry-bourbon-basil glazed doughnut, inspired by a popular cocktail served at an upscale Japanese restaurant that Camden opened in the early 2000s. Another top seller is the light, gooey apple fritter, made from a blend of dough and chopped apples mixed with spices. Blue Star sources many of its ingredients from local producers, including the apple cider used in the fritter glaze. The Cointreau crème brûlée dough - nut is one of Blue Star's most out of the ordinary creations. Filled with scratch-made vanilla custard, the shell donut is brûléed with sugar to give it a slight crunch. It is served with a side of Cointreau syrup in a pipette protruding from the doughnut. Customers can inject the orange-flavored syrup into the doughnut for a bit of extra flavor. Unusual as many of Blue Star's doughnuts may be, the chain's well- lit stores are fairly simple in design. Customers sit on white bar stools at high-top, butcher-block tables. Like pieces of fine jewelry, doughnuts from each available flavor are displayed individually, rather than in batches, within glass cases. "At a lot of other doughnut shops, you'd find doughnuts displayed in bulk on racks," said Kulp. "We put a single doughnut [from each flavor selection] on display. The display is intended to be beautiful and appetizing." Blue Star prices are on the high end too. The prices vary by flavor, but the doughnuts cost $3.50 each, on average. Blue Star's objective is to make customers feel as if they have indulged in a small luxury, says Kulp. "It's a made-from-scratch, carefully put-together doughnut," she said. "It's a luxury experience." n Leasing inquiries may be directed to info@bluestardonuts.com. Doughnuts so good you can look yourself in the mirror while eating them

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