Shopping Centers Today

JUN 2017

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

Issue link: https://sct.epubxp.com/i/827208

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 17 of 59

18 S C T / J U N E 2 0 1 7 S T O R E F R O N T S Five-star doughnuts Blue Star Donuts takes the better-burger approach to an old fried favorite By Anna Robaton W hat is it about Portland and doughnuts? A visitor to Portland, Ore., is likely to have been to Voodoo Doughnut, an almost obligatory stop for tourists checking out the city's trendsetting food scene. But Portland is also the birthplace of Blue Star Donuts, another new-wave doughnut concept that has caught on fast. Voodoo Doughnut is known for its wacky creations — more specifically, its unusual doughnut toppings, such as sugary cereal or maple frosting paired with slices of fried bacon. Blue Star, however, takes a more highbrow approach to the humble doughnut. And given the culinary background of one of its founders, it may not be too hard to see why. Blue Star was founded in 2012 by Portland chef and restaurateur Micah Camden and his business partner, Katie Poppe. Camden made a name for himself on the local fine-dining scene before joining with Poppe and launching Little Big Burger — a fast- casual chain specializing in made-to- order, quarter-pound, natural-beef burgers (with chèvre or blue cheese among the toppings), and french fries finished with truffle oil. In 2015 Camden and Poppe sold the chain for some $6 million to Charlotte, N.C.–based Chanticleer Holdings, which owns several higher-end burger concepts and some Hooters restaurants. Even before selling Little Big Burger, Camden and Poppe discussed coming up with a new business. They settled on the Blue Star concept after touring bakeries in France for culinary inspiration. New York City pastry chef Stephanie Thornton joined them to help with recipe development and operations. The first Blue Star opened in December 2012. The chain now has six units in Portland (including one at Portland International Airport) and two in Los Angeles. The company also operates three shops in Japan — a country with strong cultural and business ties to Portland. Large numbers of Japanese tourists visit each year, and Sapporo has long been a sister city; there is, in fact, a Portland- Sapporo Sister City Association that

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of Shopping Centers Today - JUN 2017