Focus on Pacific NW Wine RiverPlace
and Wine Friendly Food, Esplanade
sourced locally and in
season! Appetizers,
Full Entrées
Fabulous Desserts
2 Locations:
RiverPlace (~3years)
( 3years)
(Downtown Portland)
Sharing Plates
Lake Oswego ( 1 year)
/ Light Entrées
Fabulous Desserts!
Fbl D t!
Owners:
Leslie Palmer & Gary Kneski
Executive Chef: Jon Sodini
Lake Oswego

Thirst RiverPlace Thirst Lake Oswego
Beautiful location with Centrally located in
Great Traffic in downtown LO but In
Summer, many tourists ‘unexpected area’ with
– area overall Signage challenges
‘forgotten’ by residents
forgotten Economic downturn
RiverPlace / South affecting LO downtown
waterfront renewal - overall
population growing but
growing, Competing with more
going slower than restaurants than there
expected used to be + Bridgeport
RiverPlace businesses – Trying to find our niche
getting year-round,
classier (Thirst, Spa,
Lucier), some still not in
),
line with demographic

Thirst
Thi
No lunch, more entrees. ½ as many people (economy)
– record sales!
Party Room!
P R !
Continual menu – never be stagnant
Qualitative vs. Quantitative marketing
Work with my neighbors!
‘RiverPlace should be #1 downtown destination area for
residents and tourists – experiencing one of Portland’s
most unique assets – th Riverfront!
t i t the Ri f t!
Created casual business association. 4 ‘projects:
Community Website
Beautify Area
B tif A
New lighting. Longer term, fix sidewalk issues (Bikes),
sculpture, plants
Annual Food, Wine & Art Festival
,
“Wednesdays on the Willamette”

Hired some experts (looked at both locations)!
Visual Merchandising Consultatnt: signage, flow, feng shui
Vi l M h di i C lt t t i fl f hi
Classed up décor within reason and budget!
Trade / Borrow!
Outside signage again
signage…again
Financial / Business Analyst. Recommended selling LO…
Did ‘soul searching’ on the business. Did not want to quit –
so inspired me to aug e t ou o g a bus ess plan.
sp ed e augment our original business p a
Giving it 1 full year before I reassess
Getting people in the door! Free Tastings every
night! Give LO residents that little extra push to
g t G e O es de ts t at tt e e t a pus
come in. Also helps our ‘to go’ program
Appetizers / Sharing Plates / Desserts – embrace
that for some we may be before or after dinner!
Staff! Hired the right people for Lake O

Look outside your business
Co-marketing (Spa) / power in numbers (website)
Be able to adapt Look and consider from an
adapt.
outsider’s perspective
Wine Bar for Lunch …
Avoid the scarcity mentality! Consider joining or
starting an association with like-businesses.
Instead of being continually competitive, ban
together!
Analyze but don’t overanalyze! Make changes
then give yourself time to execute and adapt
before re-analyzing
Continually revisit all marketing programs and
study your competitors and fellow travelers
Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Experts in the area
p p
– not as pricey as you may think. However, always
listen to your gut as well!