Support Eddie Dong & Phở Gabo Get Back to Grillin’
Donation protected
Dear Community:
We are reaching out on behalf of Eddie Dong, the hardworking owner of Phở Gabo, a beloved Vietnamese restaurant in Portland, Oregon. Eddie's American dream of running a successful eatery and sharing authentic Vietnamese cuisine and culture, has been unfairly shattered due to relentless fines and inspections from the City of Portland, which, ultimately, shut down his restaurant.
Recent media features including Willamette Week, KGW, KOIN, KATU2, Fox News and more shed light on the situation Eddie finds himself in when he was forced the hand to shut down his NE Portland location on February 3rd, 2024. Despite his best efforts in the last 18 months to comply with regulations and operate his business, Phở Gabo was targeted by the city inspector, facing unjust fines and excessive scrutiny over "wok smells.” The inspector also provided zero guarantees if any measures taken, including a $40,000 new ventilation system install, would remedy the situation. This has resulted in the closure of Phở Gabo in NE Portland, leaving Eddie's family and his employees without this source of income and the community without a cherished dining spot.
After an official statement was released on March 5, 2024 by five Vietnamese Oregon State Representatives as well as a meeting between Portland City Commissioner and the State Reps, the office of Carmen Rubio has acknowledged that they are pausing odor complaints. We appreciate the City and Reps for looking into the policy around the odor complaint because we want to make sure other restaurants do not experience what Eddie has, unfortunately, gone through.
Navigating the public space is new and challenging for Eddie and this is very vulnerable for him to ask for help in this way. After much thought and consideration and the outpouring support from the community, Eddie agreed to start a GoFundMe.
Sadly, the odor complaint has deeply impacted Eddie leading to the current insurmountable bills he has to pay. He was already struggling to pay off debts from when his business was shut down during Covid. Closing down makes those debts impossible to pay.
We will continue working with the City to make sure this unfair odor ordinance does not impact other small businesses. Eddie is truly grateful for all the support.
It's heartbreaking to see someone like Eddie, who has poured his heart and soul into his restaurant, face such unjust treatment.
Though the City reversed the most recent fines, it does not appear that they will refund previous fines. Nor is it clear yet if Eddie can restart his business in the current location without the future threat of more fines and harassment from city inspectors.
Eddie is now working with legal counsel to understand his rights and investigate why his business was targeted with inspections and fines.
All funds raised will help Eddie and Phở Gabo by allowing him to:
• Help cover the costs to replace inventory that had to be thrown out;
• Cover current bills that are accumulating even without operating income from Phở Gabo NE Fremont;
• Help with the costs of either reopening or finding a new location and entering a brand new lease if the City continues to target his business;
• Help with the costs of rehiring and training new employees if Eddie can reopen;
• Help cover legal costs associated with investigating why Phở Gabo was being heavily inspected and fined, and help Eddie assert his rights against the City;
• Any other costs, fees, and taxes related to bringing his business back to being a profitable restaurant and a beloved restaurant in our community.
Every dollar counts, and your contribution, regardless of its size, will make a difference for Eddie and his family.
Let's come together as a Community and support Eddie Dong and Phở Gabo. Share this campaign with your friends, family, and networks, and let's make sure Eddie knows he's not alone.
Thank you for your generosity and support.
https://www.oregonrla.org/blog/unfair-subjective-smell-standard-being-enforced-by-city-of-portland-needs-to-end-immediately
https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2024/02/24/portland-location-of-pho-gabo-closes-after-18-month-battle-with-neighbor/
https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/news-restaurants/2024/02/28/restaurant-association-calls-city-odor-code-unfair-and-unbelievable/
Organizer
Jillette Nguyen
Organizer
Portland, OR
