Elephants Delicatessen Announced New Northwest Location
The restaurant will open in the Uptown Shopping Center at 13 NW 23rd Place in early 2027.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Regulars of the longtime local staple will see the deli return to Northwest Portland early next year following the total loss of its flagship site. The announcement comes alongside a change in ownership, with the Carlton-based farm and hospitality firm The Ground acquiring majority shares.
Why it matters
The move marks a fresh chapter for a culinary institution that had operated on Northwest 22nd Avenue since 2004 before a fire forced its closure this past March. For the neighborhood, it secures the return of a significant local anchor within the Uptown Shopping Center.
The firm operates a network of 40 local business partnerships, following the recent acquisition of the deli from former majority stakeholder Henry Hillman. It remains unknown if all previous service offerings will be mirrored at the new address.
The players
Elephants Delicatessen
A long-standing local restaurant and deli company with a history dating back to 2004.
The Ground
A farm and hospitality company based in Carlton that acquired majority shares of the deli.
Frank Foti
The new CEO of Elephants Delicatessen who led the acquisition of the company.
Martin McClanan
The president of Elephants Delicatessen who will remain in his role following the ownership change.
Henry Hillman
The former majority stakeholder of Elephants Delicatessen who held the position for over four years.
The details
Frank Foti, the new CEO, finalized the acquisition of the deli as part of the expansion under The Ground. The new location at 13 NW 23rd Place replaces the former flagship, which was destroyed in a fire on March 10 that prompted emergency crews to cut roof ventilation to suppress the blaze. Martin McClanan will remain president of the company as it transitions into this new space.
Timeline
The original flagship deli location opened in 2004.
Fire broke out at the flagship deli on March 10, 2026.
The fire suspect was sentenced to six months in jail in May 2026.
Elephants Delicatessen announced the new location on October 7, 2026.
The new restaurant is expected to open in early 2027.
Beyond the Bridges
This move marks a return to the district following the 2004 establishment of the Northwest 22nd Avenue flagship, which had served the area for over two decades. It follows a pattern of local business recovery that prioritizes staying within the original catchment area after a major disruption.
Residents of Northwest Portland can expect the new location to begin operations in early 2027 at the Uptown Shopping Center. The transition does not impact current product availability at other existing locations, though it replaces the capacity lost when the previous deli burned.
The takeaway
The deli is officially set to rejoin the Northwest 23rd corridor next year after a significant fire prompted a change in corporate leadership. Neighbors should keep an eye on the Uptown Shopping Center storefront for upcoming renovation announcements as the 2027 opening date approaches.
Further reading
You can follow the latest business shifts across the city in our Openings & Closings section.
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