McMenamins Lays Off Nearly 3,000 People Due to Coronavirus

Only one of the hospitality giant's properties is remaining open.

A bar at McMenamins Edgefield. IMAGE: Emily Joan Greene.
By Andi Prewitt

Portland hospitality giant McMenamins has announced it is closing all its Oregon properties except one for the next four weeks, and temporarily laying off 3,000 employees—"almost everyone at the company," according to a press release.

The eclectic chain of pubs, hotels and movie theaters announced the shutdown today, one day after Gov. Kate Brown ordered bars and restaurants across the state to close in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Founding brothers Mike and Brian McMenamin issued the following statement:

Representatives for the company could not provide further comment.

The 23rd Avenue Bottle Shop in Northwest Portland is the sole business in Oregon under the McMenamins umbrella to remain open. Customers can still buy beer, wine, spirits and swag there to-go.

Currently, Washington's McMenamins properties are undergoing a two-week closure.

Related: Oregon Gov. Kate Brown Will Limit Gatherings to 25 People and Close Bars and Restaurants.

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Andi Prewitt

Andi Prewitt

Andi Prewitt is WW's arts and culture editor. She writes about Oregon’s trifecta of fun: craft beer, food and the outdoors. A native Oregonian, Andi’s claim to fame was being named Princess of Newberg. It’s all been downhill from there.

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