A new chapter has opened on the tale of Blue Moon Coffee and Bakery, which opened, closed and then reopened last month on the corner or North Lombard Street and Richmond Avenue.  

Blue Moon owners Derek and Erin Jurovich have an established coffee shop in Lake Oswego and were seeking to expand in St. Johns, signing a lease on the building that used to house Big Kahuna BBQ.  According to the Jurovich's after giving the building a $20,000 facelift with the help of the Portland Development Commission, a disagreement with the landlord forced them to vacate the building only two weeks after opening.

Despite the abundance coffee shops in the area, the Jurovichs wanted the St. Johns location because they believed that they could divert commuter traffic heading for the St. Johns Bridge with their drive-through service.  The business plan, which had the potential of bringing more traffic through the downtown St. Johns Business District, appeared to have been thwarted when they were unable to reach an agreement with the building owner about the terms of their rent.  

Recently, some local residents noticed that a new Blue Moon Coffee and Bakery sign has appeared on the structure.  When asked about it, Derek Jurovich happily exclaimed, “We’re back!”  He said that the landlord decided to work with them after all.  When asked what had changed, Scott Cunningham, a financial partner of the St. Johns location, credited The Sentinel’s website for coverage about the problems Blue Moon was having.  The building owner, though anonymous, has friends in the community, explains Cunningham. “I think [the owner] was a little embarrassed by the coverage.”  Jurovich said that he thinks their change in fortune had more to do with them getting some good legal advice.  

The property is owned by TND Holding Company of Milwaukie Ore. The Sentinel was unable to reach TND's registered agent Lannie Aulger by press time.

Jurovich said that they have a five-year lease with three five-year optional extensions, “So we could have the building for 20 years.”

Both the Juroviches said that they are very happy to be back in Portland.  “Everyone is so nice,” said Derek Jurovich, “St. Johns has the nicest customers we have ever served.”  He said about five loyal customers reported that they went through their drive-through every day during the weeks they were closed to see if they had come back.  

Jurovich says their drive-up service has been very popular with dog owners. “We’re the doggie drive-in,” he said, because people are able to get a cup of coffee and a breakfast cookie (a Blue Moon original) without leaving their dog alone in the car.  He said they also provide doggie treats to those who bring their pets. 

Erin Jurovich, who does the baking for the business, says they are open now, but that they are still in the process of moving their equipment back into the building.  She said that they will be keeping the baking part of the operation in Lake Oswego but will be selling all of their goods at the St. Johns store.  Jurovich said they also have a deal with Hot Lips Pizza to sell pizza by the slice during lunch and that they may sell waffles for breakfast on the weekends.  

Blue Moon will be opening every day at 6 a.m. and stay open at least through lunch. They plan to have a “We’re here!” celebration once their new sign is in place.  

While the building looks better than it has in years due to the renovations, the extensive awnings that the Juroviches had installed are no longer there. Cunningham explains that they have been “repurposed” by a friend of his who turned them into “chicken tractors,” a new creation that serves as portable urban chicken pens and also helps to fertilize the grass.  “It’s a wonderful story of reuse” he says.

Blue Moon Coffee & Bakery

8221 N Lombard St, (503) 334-7248, www.bluemoonlo.com