According to a recent Instagram post from Stumptown Otaku, the team plans to introduce a new concept called Geekeasy Cafe downtown.
“The grand opening is set for March 22nd, 2025, and we’re not just unlocking the doors and calling it a day. We’re throwing a proper celebration. Picture NW Davis Street transformed—a bustling market filled with lion dances, cultural performances, and artists showcasing their craft,” managing partner and co-founder Tommy Ly told What Now Portland.
“My good friend AT Nguyen shares the reins as co-owner and co-founder. Together, we’re steering this ship, and we’re determined to make it something special. We’re teaming up with Asian American organizations, cultural groups, and local businesses to make it unforgettable. The Festival Street, which has been sitting there like a book unopened, will finally get the attention it deserves. It’s going to be loud, vibrant, and unapologetically alive.”
“I want Geek Easy to feel like stepping into a warm hug—like those cozy little cafés in Japan where the chairs are comfortable, the air smells of fresh pastries, and time seems to slow down. A second living room where you can escape the grind, sip on a no-frills cup of coffee, and lose yourself in a manga or the gentle hum of conversation.”
“The vibe is simple: no pretense, no bougie nonsense. Tea is tea, coffee is coffee, and the menu doesn’t require a thesaurus to understand. Every day, there’ll be freshly baked pastries and a food menu that leans into home-cooked nostalgia—Japanese comfort dishes that feel like a hug from your grandma.”
“No latte art competitions, no deconstructed nonsense—just good, honest food and drinks served with unpretentious warmth. It’s a space to unwind, get lost in a story, and stay as long as you like. Good food, good drinks, and good vibes—that’s the heart of Geek Easy.”
“The food and drink menu? That’s a bit of a rebellion, honestly. Portland’s coffee scene is great, but try finding a simple cup of black coffee—strong, hot, and unapologetically basic. It’s harder than you’d think. I’m all for fancy lattes and cold brews, but sometimes you just want your coffee to taste like coffee, you know? So, that’s what we’re bringing to the table. It’s simple, it’s nostalgic, and it’s exactly what I’d want to drink.”
“Back in October, I hosted a book launch at the Portland Chinatown Museum for my manga—a collection of horror stories. During that time, I got chatting with the museum’s executive director. I mentioned a cooking challenge we were planning with Toronto’s Ken Masuda, a food influencer with a flair for theatrics.”
“She casually suggested we use the café next door, which turned out to be their space. One thing led to another, and before we knew it, the idea of an anime café was on the table.”
“For me, it felt serendipitous. I’d gone to culinary school with dreams of opening my own bakery and café, but life, as it tends to do, had other plans. Instead, I opened an anime shop in Old Town, which grew into the largest independent anime shop in Portland. This is the dream I shelved years ago, dusted off, and brought back to life.”
“But this café? This is the dream. A space where nostalgia meets simplicity, where a cup of coffee isn’t overcomplicated, and the food feels like home. And honestly, Portland needs a place where you can just get a strong, no-BS cup of coffee—black as night and loaded with caffeine. Not everything has to be a spectacle.”
