Blue Star Donuts Expanding Into Japan in 2015

Also Northwest 23rd Avenue and Lake Oswego. Plus, doughnut delivery.

Portland doughnuts are big in Japan these days.

Hot on the heels of news that Voodoo Doughnut would open 12-20 locations in Japan and Taiwan, it looks like Micah Camden and Katie Poppe's upscale Portland doughnut shop Blue Star Donuts will also hit Tokyo next year.

"I literally just signed the deal last night," wrote Poppe Monday. "We are partnering with Fred Segal, Japan to open a Blue Star Donuts in their Tokyo flagship. Pretty effing cool, so excited to partner with a luxury brand and represent Portland abroad!" 

The Fred Segal project in Tokyo is a "luxury lifestyle center" slated to open in spring 2015. Following a model that the clothing retailer pioneered in Los Angeles, it's essentially a curated mix of owner-operated vendors deemed to be up-and-coming. Blue Star is known for its fried chicken doughnuts, along with fancy flavors such as cointreau creme brulee and vegan pistachio cake with raspberry hibiscus glaze.

According to Poppe, Blue Star is not limiting its expansion to Japan. The shop also plans Blue Star locations on Northwest 23rd Avenue and in Lake Oswego. 

Blue Star will also start delivery using San Francisco-based Caviar restaurant delivery service in February. Caviar is not yet in business in Portland, but is currently hiring here. Delivery is also being looked at for Son of a Biscuit (February) and Boxer Ramen (potentially in March).

WWeek 2015

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