Weils Arcade Food Park Nears Opening As Foodies Flock To Downtown Hillsboro

Food has always been a big part of Downtown Hillsboro’s allure. From its early days, once called Sin City, to the 1980s as tech jobs began to influence the region, food has always been a draw to the historic district.  In the 1950s & 60s, Main Street was the place to be, with restaurants like Merril’s, Hillsboro Pharmacy, and The Times Cafe feeding the masses! The Busy Bee was another local favorite, as were The Shake Shop, The Pastime, and The Cooperstone.  People from all over would come downtown and eat and walk from block to block doing so.  That was the high water mark because by the late 1960s, shopping malls and subdivisions had begun to extract consumers to the edges of town and beyond.  By the 1970s, food options were few, and this honored part of town entered a very long, slow period.   

So many great people have been working for decades to get downtown back to the high water mark where it was in those earlier times, and while we have come close, things have never quite peaked.  But that hard work and those changes may have finally hit a crescendo with more food venues open now than at any other time in the past.

We can now say, not speculate, that the downtown town is officially a Foodie’s destination.

Today, from the office at 222 East Main, it was a typical Tuesday, but something was different.  The street was busier, and there was more noise.  I stepped onto Main Street at about 1:15 PM for a work break to see eight people entering Backwoods Brewing, three more going into LaMIxteca Oaxaca, four more standing in front of Top Burmese, and three people leaving Khantokie Thai House.   I walked 65 feet to the corner and looked down 2nd Street.  To the South was The High Ground, which opened last week and now greeting guests to eat. Adjacent to them, I witnessed six groups enjoying sandwiches, coffee, and pizza from the newly opened Ranch Pizza and Grand Central Bakery.  Walking back North on 2nd Street, the noise rose from Wilson’s Cafe and Sports Pub.  The day was sunny enough that I could even see diners under colorful umbrellas and chestnut trees at the phenomenon that is Syun Izakaya, a traditional Japanese cuisine, and sushi house.  I had not walked 100 feet in total, and there were nine incredible places to eat, drink, and relax before me.  How lucky am I, and are we?  Very, I must say.

Sixty-five feet back to my door, I was overcome with pride and happiness. I looked east down Main Street, realizing my choices had just begun. Ahead lie the Blue Oxe Axe Throwing, Pizzario, Decadent Creations, the Collective Market, Hillsboro Bar and Grill, Chaat Cafe, Amelia’s Rustic Mexican Restaurant, D’Anu Wine Bar, and the list goes on.

That is 17 food venues in a small area, even more so with the tea houses, wine venues, and coffee shops. There are many more within 2 or 3 additional blocks.

Well, as if that was not enough, 17 is about to become 27.  Enter Weil Arcade Food Park.  Located on the Weil’s Arcade property, this 10-cart food park has risen up from the ashes of the tragic fire that crippled the town just two days into 2022.  The first cart to open is Dhaba Indian Kitchen and oh my GOD what a great experience I had eating there.

On my walk today I crossed over and walked the property and had a nice chat with longtime Hillsboro business man Jay Weil.  He is working out the details with his team (including the family dog Luna) to dial in the outdoor speakers, high end covered dining tables, the new massive Redwood slab eating bar, and helping Fertties BBQ locate their two MASSIVE smoker-BBQs.  The VERY POPULAR food cart is owned by TJ and Kylie Fertterer who have perhaps the nicest food trailer I have seen, and those smokers?  Well let me says this; if the foods in downtown don’t drag you in, the smell from this magic meat factory will.  It is that good and these guys are that dynamic.  See the Interview we did with them 2 weeks ago (below) about why they chose to move to the Weil Arcade Food Park and what their plans are.

Joining DHABA and Ferrties will be:

• Cocina Mexico Lindo: A Mexican eatery.
• East Coast Eddies: Philly cheesesteaks.
• Mama’s Shawarma: Middle Eastern Food
• Umai Japanese Twist
• Kin Thai Food

Jay has space for a 2,200 SF Brew Pub, which will open later this year, beautiful outdoor bathrooms, a large covered all-weather patio, and space for music and events.  He sees the location as a true gathering place in the heart of Historic Downtown Hillsboro.  His concept is to have ten different, high-quality food venues, each offering something unique.  He will be rounding out the group with more winning offerings.  Carts are beginning to open now, and a soft launch is happening on April 27th, which is also the opening of Saturday Market.  There will be music and some other special offerings.  Stay tuned!

I am impressed so far.  It is clean, the carts have twice the space between them as many food cart offerings, and there is no better location in Portland.  How will these ten blend with the 20 or so food venues we already have downtown?  We are now talking about 30 venues in a small area.  All those who have been here fighting through the slow times and built what is here now are to be thanked.  It appears that the synergistic effect of all of these offerings is working.  Add to that Saturday Market, Tuesday Night Market Place, First Tuesday Art Walk, and the now world-famous La Strada Chalk Art Festival, and Hillsboro’s “Living Room” is now a Foodie’s Heaven.

The Herald thanks all those who have built our food legacy, our recent push, and those coming to put us over the top. Welcome to the Weil Arcade Food Park carts, especially their owners! Let’s make some great memories from here on out!

Now, the only thing left is for all of you to show up, park, eat, drink, and be merry!