According to a recent permit filing, a new concept called Sticky Wicket aims to debut in the Cathedral Park area at 8401 N Ivanhoe Street.
Sticky Wicket’s lease is still ongoing, with some details being ironed out. “Our goal is to open May 1st tentatively. However, that is completely subject to alcohol licensing, which is not completely within my control,” owner Michael Rasko told What Now Portland.
“This place is a sports bar, so serving alcohol is a significant part of the plan. However, due to changing trends in alcohol consumption, I also intend to have a broad array of mocktails, kombuchas, and teas. We plan to have cricket decor, charcuterie boards, and beer flights on cricket bats, stuff like that.”
“Patrons can look forward to seeing sports they don’t typically have access to in most sports bars. At Sticky Wicket, “We Got Cricket.” But in talking with local cricket fans, I heard from them a desire for more options to view rugby. So, we will strive to be “America’s Home for Foreign Sports.” The plan is to have cricket on one TV at all times, but also soccer, rugby, Aussie Rules Football, etc. The food will be pub food with Indian and English influences.”
“I’m a new fan of cricket. I came across a YouTube video of the Major League Cricket Championship in the United States. When the cameras panned to the crowd, the excitement was palpable. You would have thought that it was the rivalry football game of a Division 1 college team, rather than the first season of a league whose teams don’t have home stadiums constructed yet, playing a sport that is not seen as popular in the United States.”
“So I started following it more and more and became convinced that this league could have a long future in this country, and thinking that I would like to do something in the cricket world. But I didn’t know how I could fit in or add value. One day I thought of a sports bar for Cricket fans so that they could watch in the community and meet other fans, having met a lot of people at Portland’s designated sports bar for Cleveland Browns fans when I was new to the city 13 years ago.”
“I told my wife the idea. I was half-hoping that she wouldn’t like it, since I know from reputation how frequently bar and restaurant businesses fail. But she, surprisingly, at least to me, loved the idea! I thought, “Oh no! That might be just enough encouragement to cause me to actually do this, and that means taking on a huge risk.” I then started researching more thoroughly, took business workshops, shared the idea with cricket fans and friends, engaged with a lawyer, real estate agent, etc., and the experience of all of that has encouraged me even more.”
“Though I know full well how easy it is to tell someone you like their idea, and that it’s often impolite not to do so. So, I’m trying to take the support for my idea with a grain of salt. Ultimately, the market will decide if I can deliver on my premise.”
