Jake and Kimberly Helfer opened HO3 Speakeasy to bring craft cocktails, shareable bites to Downtown Gresham.

Business, business, business — folks couldn’t get enough of the exciting new ventures that opened their doors this year.

From a sport exploding in popularity, not-so-secret speakeasy, reclaimed sauce empire, old-school soda bar, and beer hall’s soft-launch, seven of the ten stories in our version of a “Wrapped” recap were focused on business.

By the numbers — here were the Top 10 most-read stories online in 2024 for The Outlook.

No. 1: ‘State’s largest indoor pickleball venue coming to Troutdale’

Story: tinyurl.com/yfhcwtea

East Multnomah County is wild for pickleball, and a pair of business partners struck while the iron was hot by opening the largest indoor venue in the state.

Stayce Blume and Amelia Salvador debuted East County Pickleball at 27100 S.E. Stark St., in Troutdale, with 12 courts. The venue is open daily and there is ample parking.

“We had this vision of a welcoming space where players of all skill levels could come and enjoy the sport,” Blume said.

“Just so excited to open,” Salvador added.

No. 2: ‘Downtown Gresham’s Café Delirium announces permanent, immediate closure’

Story: tinyurl.com/4ejkdyrf

The worst business news came late in the year — Downtown Gresham’s “living room” coffee shop unexpectedly shuttered overnight.

Café Delirium, at the corner of Main Avenue and Third Street, posted on social media about its closure in early December.

“I must share the difficult news that I closed the doors of my beloved coffee shop,” wrote owner Cody Clark. “This decision has not come easily — Café Delirium has been more than just a business to me.”

The café had stood at the corner for more than two decades. Now the large storefront is empty.

“I have cherished every cup of coffee brewed, every conversation exchanged, and every smile shared,” Clark wrote. “Your support has been the cornerstone of my journey, and I am deeply grateful for the loyalty and warmth you have shown over the years.”

No. 3: ‘Troutdale and Stark intersection closed with downed power lines’

Story: tinyurl.com/29arpae2

A brutal winter storm had the entire state in its frigid grasp, and the damage was felt across East County.

One of the earlier incidents was downed power lines at the intersection of South Troutdale Road and Southeast Stark Street, creating a treacherous and potential fatal roadblock.

That closure was the 19th in the county, and more was on the way, with hundreds of downed trees and thousands left without power for days.

No. 4: ‘Hollywood actress visits Mt. Hood Community College for day of filming’

Story: tinyurl.com/5x957ykh

The bright lights of the movie world shone upon Mt. Hood Community College, as a popular actress was on campus filming. Vanessa Kirby, known for “The Crown,” “Mission: Impossible,” Fast & Furious,” and “Pieces of a Woman,” was in town filming “The Night Always Comes.” That flick had shooting locations across the region, and at MHCC they used the main courtyard area, one of the classrooms and the parking lot.

No. 5: ‘Cluck, cluck, who’s there? A new owner of The Wooden Chicken Pub’

Story: tinyurl.com/yb9w6mt3

Foodies and beer lovers got some good news this year, as just two months after announcing a closure, new owners of the Wooden Chicken Pub stepped up to take the reins.

Josh Johnston and James Hall took over the im-peck-able pub, located at 12500 N.E. Sandy Boulevard.

While the new ownership brought some of their own ideas (battle-tested at their other joints like North 45 and Paddy’s Bar & Grill) they committed to keeping the classics, including the infamous fish n’ chips.

“I’m a big believer of when we go into a new community, I don’t want to force what I think is best for the community,” Johnston said. “I want to learn the community and understand what’s important to them.”

No. 6: ‘Gresham boys basketball coach resigns citing safety concerns’

Story: tinyurl.com/59khnyyp

The fallout from safety concerns at Gresham High School, stemming from a teenager bringing a loaded firearm to class, extended into the sports world.

Not only did several Gophers squads have to forfeit games due to a lack of student participation (with so many kids staying home out of fear of further incidents), but a popular coach resigned.

Coach Corey Lockhart announced via social media last October that he would resign from Gresham boys basketball.

While he did not provide a direct reason as to why, he cited his son’s safety as “the most important thing” — his son, a freshman, transferred to Central Catholic High School.

“Today I had to make one of the hardest decisions and resigned from my head coaching position at Gresham,” Lockhart wrote. “I’ve put my heart and soul into changing the culture and building something the Gresham community could be proud of. It has been an honor to mentor all of these young men and I’ve created a brotherhood with my coaching staff and will miss all of the memories on and off the court.”

No. 7: ‘Wayfinder soft launches Downtown Troutdale beer garden, food cart pod’

Story: tinyurl.com/4c237m9n

Tasty brews and a whole bunch of food carts proved to be a winning combo at the “Gateway to the Gorge.”

The Highlands, 153 S. Buxton Road, quietly opened its doors over the summer for Frist Friday and the Kiwanis Cruise In. The new business has lots of seating, food carts, and a beer hall helmed by Wayfinder Beer Company.

“We have all been in love with Troutdale for years now, spending lots of time on the river,” said Orion Landau, creative director for the brewery. “(We had) been looking for an opportunity to create a space in downtown.”

In the months that followed more carts were added.

No. 8: ‘So good you could bathe in it, Yoshida’s sauce makes its sweet return to stores’

Story: tinyurl.com/3xvv8e73

The baron of sauce, and a longtime supporter of East Multnomah County, came roaring back this year. Junki Yoshida’s Original Gourmet Sweet Teriyaki Marinade & Cooking Sauce was back on store shelves after the founder and CEO, and namesake, reacquired his brand, Yoshida Foods International.

“I (had) to save the Yoshida brand, they (were) destroying our name,” Yoshida said.

In April he got the brand name and licensing back. In June the sauce was back on the market.

“I call it positive revenge,” Yoshida said. “Watch me Heinz, watch what I can do. I’m 75 years old and I’m ready to go.”

No. 9: ‘Troutdale Soda Bar Café offers old-school drinks, nostalgic treats’

Story: tinyurl.com/yc7a7bp5

Troutdale residents, and the many whom pass through Downtown on their way to an outing in the Gorge, got a sugary jolt this year thanks to a new business opening in an iconic location. The Troutdale Soda Bar Café, 289 E. Historic Columbia River Highway, in the former Troutdale General Store, opened with nostalgic candy, ice cream, a soda bar, sandwiches and more.

“We have been so surprised by the happiness we have gotten from people,” said Randy Lee, who co-owns the family business with his brother David. “This is first and foremost a place for kids and families.”

Perhaps the best review came from a six-year-old girl who walked in during the first week — “This is my dream,” the wide-eyed girl declared.

No. 10: ‘HO3 Speakeasy brings craft cocktails to Downtown Gresham: No password required’

Story: tinyurl.com/nkv28r3e

A pretty poorly kept secret rounds out the most-read stories of the year, featuring another exciting new business opening. HO3 Speakeasy, 124 N.E. Third St., in the basement of its sister restaurant Helfer’s on Third (which also opened this year and just missed out on the most-read list), is a 21-and-over haven that channels the spirit of 1800s with craft cocktails and shareable bites.

“We are just trying to be that niche here in Gresham,” said Kimberly Helfer, who owns the speakeasy and upstairs restaurant, Helfer’s on Third, with her husband Jake. “Everyone is welcome.”