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Throwback Thursday: Portland Coffee House
Did you know? Downtown Lebanon has always been a great place to grab a bite! One classic example was Portland Coffee House, once located at 118 W. Commercial—right between today’s Café Jude’s and Breeden Shelter Insurance. The building is so narrow, if you blink, you might miss it!
But that didn’t stop founder Ellis Thompson, along with second-generation owners Junior and Billie, from making the most of every inch. Inside, a long serving bar stretched down the length of the café, lined with an endless row of swivel-backed stools. On the right side, tiny tables – just big enough for two – gave diners a cozy place to sit. The décor? Classic and timeless: black, white, and chrome. Behind the bar, a compact kitchen doubled as a mini convenience store, offering cigarettes, candy, postcards, and the latest publications.
From the late 1930s through the 1950s, Portland Coffee House was the go-to spot for a 5-cent cup of coffee. On a chilly winter day, nothing hit the spot like a bowl of their steaming hot chili – except maybe a slice of their homemade blueberry pie. And if you were craving something heartier? They even served steak dinners!
It was the kind of “mom and pop” café where everyone knew your name – one of the many small businesses that shaped the heart of Downtown Lebanon. Quaint, welcoming, and full of good food at a fair price.
A huge shoutout to Eric D. Tudor at Laclede Relics for unearthing and sharing this incredible #ThrowbackThursday memory! Thank you for keeping our history alive!
#DowntownLebanonMO#LocalHistory#SmallTownCharm#ThrowbackThursday
