Lore Tea + Coffee at 536 NE 5th Ave. now holds Cocktail Night every Friday. The Downtown Camas Association's two largest holiday evenings both fall on First Fridays, and its two ticketed Sip & Shop nights fall on Thursdays. Between now and December 10, downtown has something scheduled almost every week, nearly all of it after 4 p.m. Several of this fall's business changes also point toward the evening: a cheese shop moved so it could host events, a cafe started serving cocktails every week, and a record store chose a First Friday for its expansion ribbon cutting.
Boo Bash took over 4th Avenue between Adams and Franklin on Wednesday afternoon, October 28. Here is what comes next.
Lore Tea + Coffee. Lore introduced itself with a ribbon cutting at the October 2 First Friday. A few days later it announced on its Facebook page that its cocktail nights would now run "every single Friday evening." The fall menu includes a Maple Espresso Martini and other signature cocktails, a few mocktails, and the regular cafe menu. That gives downtown a standing Friday-night stop that doesn't depend on the association's monthly calendar.
Camas Cheese Co. and Cedar Street Bagel Co. Camas Cheese Co. closed its separate shop on Sunday, September 6. Owners Andy and Tiffany moved the cheese counter into their other business, Cedar Street Bagel Co. at 316 NE Cedar St. According to the Downtown Camas Association, the combined shop will carry artisanal cheeses plus a growing selection of accompaniments, charcuterie, wine and beer. The association also said the move "will allow for Cheese & Wine Nights and more." That move gives the bagel shop room for evening events.
Evergreen Vinyl. The record shop at 321 NE 4th Ave. sells new and used vinyl, CDs and tapes. It will cut the ribbon on its expansion at 6 p.m. on November 6, in the middle of a First Friday.
The November First Friday is titled "Thankful for YOU! (and pie) Multicultural Celebration." It runs 5 to 8 p.m. and brings together nearly every business change from this fall. The association's event page lists the following:
The four galleries and the library sit within a few blocks of each other, so the art receptions make an easy loop. The Pie Walk at 7:30 gives people a reason to stay past the 6 p.m. ribbon cutting.
The Liberty Theatre's event cinema schedule keeps downtown busy on weeknights and Sunday afternoons between the larger events. Golden Boy from National Theatre Live plays November 5 and 7, so you can see it the night before First Friday. The Whistler exhibition film shows Sunday, November 8 at 12:55 p.m. and Wednesday, November 11 at 7 p.m. GIANT – The Play follows on Thursday, November 19 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, November 22 at 12:55 p.m. These are screenings of filmed stage productions and art exhibitions.
Holiday Sip & Shop is the association's fundraiser, and it runs twice this year. The first is Thursday, November 12, from 4 to 9 p.m. Check-in is at Fuel Medical Group, 314 NE Birch St. The event page explains how the ticket works:
The prize-ticket rule means shoppers who spend more downtown that night get more chances at the package. Proceeds support the association's work downtown.
The second Sip & Shop is Thursday, December 10, from 4 to 9 p.m., with check-in again at Fuel Medical Group. The association says this date will have new cocktail flavors and locations, and you can attend one night or both. Tickets for each date are sold separately through the association's links.
Hometown Holidays takes over the December First Friday, Friday, December 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. City of Camas Parks & Recreation hosts and organizes it, and the Downtown Camas Association promotes and sponsors it. The tree is lit at 5 p.m., right at the start. The association sponsors the "snow," sends elves out with a Holiday Swag Wagon of treats for kids, and helps coordinate pedestrian safety corridors during the lighting.
The evening also includes photos with Santa, free hot cocoa from a local church sponsor, school and community choirs, bands and dancers, kids' crafts, street food vendors, and downtown restaurants and shops open late. If you have kids, plan to arrive before 5 p.m. The lighting opens the evening, so latecomers miss it. The city keeps its own Hometown Holidays page for details.
Outside the downtown grid, Camas's west side changed this season too. Roots Restaurant and Bar in Riverstone Marketplace closed in early September. The Columbian called it one of Clark County's first modern fine-dining restaurants and reported that owner Brad Root was retiring after 45 years in the industry, 23 of them owning Roots. No plan for the space has been announced.
Radiate Coffee and Community opened a short drive away at 2311 SW 6th Ave. The Camas-Washougal Post-Record describes it as a gathering place for people of all abilities, with house-made cinnamon rolls and New Zealand-style ice cream.
Event times and ticket details can change, so check the Downtown Camas Association and the Liberty Theatre's schedule before you go.
If you own a home within walking distance of these First Fridays and you're curious what your Camas home could sell for, Green Buck Real Estate can put together a free home valuation using recent nearby sales.
Address 4200 Mercantile Dr #700 Lake Oswego, OR 97035
Address 4200 Mercantile Dr #700 Lake Oswego, OR 97035