Bye Bye July! Greetings, Outdoor Dining Community, Summer is in full swing, and Portland's outdoor dining spaces are helping businesses welcome customers, strengthen neighborhood connections, and make the most of the season. In this month's newsletter, we highlight an inspiring story of neighbors supporting a local restaurant, share practical technology upgrades that can improve outdoor service, and provide information about free graffiti-removal supplies available to Portland businesses. We hope you had a busy, successful, and sunny July! A Neighbor's Touch: Local Craftsman Restores Norah's Outdoor Dining Space When three patio tables were stolen from Norah, a women-owned vegan restaurant in Northeast Portland's Alberta Arts District, the loss affected more than just the restaurant's furniture. Outdoor tables provide valuable seating, help create a welcoming streetscape, and contribute directly to a small business's ability to serve customers. After Norah shared news of the theft on Instagram, local woodworker Alan Leonard, owner of Waxwing Woodwork, saw the post and offered to help. Over the following month, Leonard built three replacement tables based on the restaurant's existing designs. Norah covered the cost of materials, while Leonard donated his labor and business overhead. He also reinforced the restaurant's remaining outdoor furniture with upgraded hardware to help deter future theft. Leonard began his career in a cabinet shop before working in technology and eventually returning to woodworking full time in 2023. Today, he specializes in custom furniture created with close customer involvement, using FSC-certified plywood and locally sourced wood whenever possible. Although his custom projects can take several months, he completed Norah's replacement tables in approximately 30 days. For Leonard, the project was not about publicity. It was an opportunity to support another Portland small business and contribute to the kind of community he wants to see. "I simply wanted to help make the Portland I wanted to see and bring back a little bit of the magic I found here when I first came to town," he explained. The experience has already led to additional projects with Norah and other customers who learned about Waxwing Woodwork through the story. Leonard also expressed interest in working with other Outdoor Dining Program permittees who may need custom tables or furnishings designed for their spaces. Norah's new tables demonstrate how one neighbor's skills and generosity can transform a difficult experience into a story of resilience and community support. As Leonard reminds us through the Mister Rogers message that inspired him: look for the helpers—and whenever possible, choose to be one. Learn more about Waxwing Woodwork at waxwingwoodwork.com. Design Tip of the Month: Smart Technology for Better Outdoor Service A few simple technology upgrades can make outdoor dining service faster and more efficient. QR-code menus, handheld ordering devices, and outdoor-ready point-of-sale systems can help staff take orders and process payments without making repeated trips inside. These tools can reduce wait times, improve table turnover, and make it easier to serve customers during busy periods. Before adding new equipment, test your Wi-Fi signal throughout the outdoor dining area. A weak connection can slow down mobile payments and ordering devices, so consider extending your network or creating a secure guest Wi-Fi option. Keep customer Wi-Fi separate from systems used for payments or business operations whenever possible. Choose equipment that is compact, weather-resistant, and easy for staff to use. Secure cords and devices, keep all equipment within the permitted dining area, and make sure nothing blocks the sidewalk or creates a tripping hazard. Start with one or two upgrades, see what works, and build from there. Free Graffiti Removal Supplies for Portland Businesses Graffiti can quickly affect the appearance of an outdoor dining area, storefront, or surrounding streetscape. To help businesses and community members respond, the City of Portland offers free graffiti removal kits for small cleanup projects on public property or private property with the owner's permission. Each kit includes graffiti-removal spray, a towel, plastic scraper, safety gloves, safety glasses, and a small bucket. The cleaning spray works best on nonporous surfaces such as glass and unpainted metal. It should not be used on wood, concrete, brick, painted surfaces, public art, or the front of street signs. For porous or painted surfaces, power washing or painting over the graffiti may be a better solution. Kits must be requested in advance and picked up in person from the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability's downtown office; they cannot be mailed. Supplies are limited, so requesting a kit approximately one month before a planned cleanup is recommended. Businesses that need to cover graffiti on a painted surface may also request a voucher for up to 10 gallons of free recycled paint. Keeping storefronts and outdoor dining spaces clean helps create a more welcoming experience for customers, employees, and the surrounding community. Visit the City's Graffiti Removal Kits webpage below to learn more or submit a request. Graffiti Removal Kits | Portland.gov | 