Slow Pour, a popular cafe in Southeast Portland, is set to reopen this month in a new location after closing its previous site last summer. Co-owned by Dustin Payne and Dawn, the business emphasizes hospitality and community gatherings alongside its coffee, wine, and food offerings. The relocation to SE 13th Avenue aims to continue serving the Sellwood-Moreland area with an inviting space.
Slow Pour first opened on October 1, 2023, in the Sellwood neighborhood, offering coffee, beer, wine, and cafe fare beyond typical pastries. The cafe closed in late July 2025 when its original building on Southeast 17th Avenue was sold, prompting a move further west to 7727 SE 13th Avenue in Sellwood-Moreland. Co-owner Dustin Payne, with 20 years in food and hospitality including 10 years at a wine bar in Houston, Texas, explained the relocation involved transforming the new 2,300-square-foot space, which is smaller than the previous one.
The new interior features an eclectic, cozy vibe with secondhand furniture from sources like Facebook Marketplace, dark coffee-colored walls, plants, soft canvas art, rugs, cushioned chairs, and a canary yellow couch. High tables, additional seating, and outdoor options are planned, along with a kitchen and storage areas. The owners removed a hazardous set of straight stairs from the building's prior use as Oodles Kids, freeing up space for potential seating or shelving. They signed a 10-year lease with two five-year renewal options, potentially allowing a 20-year stay.
Slow Pour roasts its own ethically sourced, single-origin coffee—such as from Guatemala and Ethiopia—trained by Mike Nelson of Guilder. Staff prepare in-house breakfast pastries like the Earl Grey white chocolate scone, a favorite of Payne's, alongside made-to-order breakfast sandwiches, flatbread pizzas, salads, and paninis. Beverages include "fun drinks" like the toffee coconut latte, black drip coffee, local drafts from breweries such as Gigantic, wines from Orin Swift, teas, non-alcoholic beers, and experimental mocktails.
Beyond drinks and food, the cafe positions itself as a community hub. "Our product is hospitality," Payne said, highlighting large tables for groups like language learners, board game enthusiasts, and knitters. It has hosted events including live music, stand-up comedy, Ukrainian trivia nights with the Ukrainian Foundation in Portland, and a middle school talent show during an ice storm when the local community center was unavailable. Payne emphasized creating a safe, welcoming environment: "Our guarantee is that every person who comes in feels safe."
The cafe operates seven days a week from 7 a.m., closing at 4 p.m. on Sundays and Mondays and 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, accommodating shift workers like nurses and night staff. Evening hours, added after community demand, allow for after-dinner coffee or wine in a loungy atmosphere distinct from fast-paced chains. Payne noted the economic challenges post-COVID, with over 50% of Oregon restaurants closing, but expressed commitment to local jobs and vitality. The projected opening is mid-March 2026, with locals already expressing excitement.