A Clear Place

 From time to time I encounter an enterprise that clearly makes the world a lighter place. They are rare - and so to encourage those who make the effort and inspire others to try, I select them for The Clear Place Award.  

“In recognition of outstanding effort in creating a place that is Clear in purpose, Comfortable in design and Welcoming in spirit.”

To be considered for an award, candidates must demonstrate the following criteria:

- cleanliness of establishment – attention to detail in décor – excellent use of space – demonstrated joy in service – enhancement to community.

 Note: Awards are given at the sole discretion of A Clear Place and there is no monetary exchange.  Award recipients are not required to use any services provided by A Clear Place.

2010 A CLEAR PLACE AWARD RECIPIENTS

WYNONA STUDIOS

Click here to read about this Oregon City discovery.  Take me to Wynona Studios!

BACK TO EDEN

Click here to read about this NE PDX award winner. Take Me Back to Eden

2009 CLEAR PLACE AWARD RECIPIENTS

HAPPY SPARROW CAFE receives award!         

Newlyweds from Texas, who were childhood friends in Vietnam, opened a café in Portland specializing in a Czech pastry. Now that’s diversity!  She is a former project manager, he a former hairdresser. Neither had restaurant experience nor family in the Northwest.  They ventured out on their own and opened the business during the worst economy our country has experienced in decades. That’s guts! But Mary and Danny Quach shared a vision to create a place that conveyed happiness and hope. A place where people would “feel the smile not just see it.”  Their faith gave them the courage to trust that all would work out.  And work out it did.

Not only does the Happy Sparrow Café celebrate diversity – it radiates the kind of joyful lifestyle that others long to find.  And it has a dynamite product.  The melt-in-your-mouth kolaches that Mary has perfected from a family friend’s recipe has customers standing in line and coming back for more.  “I’ve always loved to bake,” states Mary. “When we visited Portland and saw there were no kolache shops here, we knew that was where to start.”  Now the two take turns greeting customers, making espresso, brewing tea and serving up those divine bread puffs. In addition to favorites like Nutella or Sausage w/Tillamook Cheese, the Quach’s are working on creating a recipe to satisfy their gluten-free friends.

The couple spent months researching equipment for their small kitchen quarters and then turned to naming and decorating the café.  Why a sparrow? “We wanted something that would continue to inspire us. A sparrow is a happy little bird that always keeps coming back and doesn’t worry about anything.” Danny tapped into his artistic side and created not only the Happy Sparrow logo but the colorful murals that adorn both rooms of the café. The result has been success on every level.  There is a steady flow of happy customers. The community has embraced the owners and the café as welcome additions.  And Mary and Danny are managing to balance the nurturing of their “first child” with time off to enjoy the outdoor attractions of the Northwest.

On November 16^th, Happy Sparrow received A Clear Place Award from space enhancement expert, Jane Green.  In accepting the award, Mary and Danny were quick to credit others. “We’ve learned so much from our customers especially about local resources for ingredients.  People come in all the time with resumes wanting to work for us, but for now, we are keeping it a team of two. We’ve even been approached about expanding to other locations but we are going to go slowly. This is our first venture together and like new parents, we are taking baby steps.”  With that wisdom and the kindness they show to all, everything points to a name change down the road for Mary and Danny Quach: the VERY Happy Sparrow Café.   View photos.    Visit the website.

A Happy Sparrow is located at 3001 SE Belmont, PDX. Open Mon – Sat for breakfast and lunch.  Call for seasonal hours. 503-445-0231.