A diverse group of Portland restaurateurs and industry professionals gathered for an “Accelerate” event hosted by What Now Media Group at Brooklyn Carreta Bar & Carts. The event provided an invaluable platform for Portland’s vibrant restaurant community to come together, exchange ideas, and explore strategies for thriving in a competitive culinary landscape.
Brooklyn Carreta Bar & Carts, a popular outdoor venue located at 4534 SE McLoughlin Boulevard, hosted the free event, drawing over two dozen representatives from local businesses featured on What Now Portland. Attendees included local restaurant owners and leading experts from What Now Media Group’s network of Preferred Partners. Guests networked while enjoying light refreshments before engaging in a focused presentation on strategies for growth and success in today’s dynamic market.
The event was hosted by Mariah Medley, Director of Events and Partner Engagement at What Now Media Group, and welcomed a diverse mix of prominent restaurateurs and business owners. Among the attendees was Garner Moody, along with Danielle Moody, partner and development manager, and Corey Atchley, general manager, all from Brooklyn Carreta Bar & Carts. Tucker Cary, Chief Operating Officer of Hoplandia, a craft beer establishment known for its community-focused taproom, also attended the event. Dan Brownhill, director of restaurants and taprooms at Breakside Brewery, a beloved brewery with multiple locations in Portland, attended with events manager Veronica Gonzales and Connie Kellow, the general manager of restaurants.
Other restaurant leaders included Alexandra Velis Jones, owner of Souvlaki Queen, a Greek restaurant celebrated for its authentic Mediterranean dishes, and Quinn Matthewstearn, co-owner and partner at Nevermind, a well-regarded Portland dining concept. Itzel Sagastume, co-owner of Adobe Restaurant and Bar/El Ranchero Market, was present, representing her Mexican-inspired eatery. Andres Mundo, owner of Paqui LLC, a growing Mexican restaurant brand, also attended. Also joining the conversation was Supalak Phakkanokphan, branch manager and co-owner of Hechalou Tea, known for its specialty teas and community engagement, along with future co-owner Pranee Sinlee and Beaverton store shift leader Riley Reinikka.
Additional participants included Trevor Salas, owner of Hollywood Bar & Carts, a popular spot that combines a bar with multiple food carts. Peter Ng, franchisee of Pepper Lunch, preparing to expand the Japanese fast-casual chain in Oregon City, attended alongside partner Benthana Ng. Michael Rasko, owner of Sticky Wicket, a neighborhood pub with a loyal following, also attended.
Representatives from several of What Now Media Group’s Preferred Partners were also on hand to offer expert advice and support. Danny Gutierrez and Gavin Courvey-Jacobs of Global Payments POS Solutions provided insights into payment technologies designed to streamline restaurant operations. Sean Tobin from Prudential Overall Supply shared solutions for uniform and linen services tailored for hospitality businesses. From SpotOn, hospitality specialist Jim Seibert discussed integrated point-of-sale systems and customer engagement tools. Payroll advisor Jesse O’Conner from Heartland spoke about simplifying payroll and back-office functions for restaurant owners. Additionally, Bee Talmadge of InKind, a growth capital partner, offered advice on financing options available to restaurant entrepreneurs.
The restaurant owners and industry-leading experts from What Now Media Group’s network of Preferred Partners shared valuable insights, operational highlights, and expert advice, creating an engaging and informative evening that was both enriching and beneficial for all attendees.
This led Mariah Medley to carry the conversation even deeper by discussing critical business points, such as having an exit plan and efficiently managing operations after expanding to multiple locations. After Mariah and the guests shared their tips, knowledge, and concerns, everyone became quickly interested in learning more about their businesses and how they could help one another.
This event provided a valuable platform for restaurant owners and industry partners to collaborate, brainstorm, and establish new connections. It’s clear that the Portland restaurant community is eager to continue innovating and evolving, and What Now Media Group’s Accelerate events provide the perfect space for these conversations to take place.
What Now Media Group shares restaurant opening news in 33 cities across North America, breaking news, and provides timely insight into yet-to-open brick-and-mortar businesses. The platform shares news of thousands of openings across all 33 cities annually.
Stay tuned for future Accelerate events from What Now Media Group in 2025. For more details, see the Accelerate page here.
Click here for a complete list of our partners. To learn more about becoming a preferred partner, click here.
