...A little Bit of History...

Joe Brown started Joe Brown's cafe as a soup kitchen in 1932 in the middle of the Great Depression. In the 1960's he started making Carmel Corn and when Lloyd Center opened in Portland, Joe opened the Karmel Korn shop upstairs by the ice rink.

In 1985, lew Carlton purchased the Cafe from Joe and started talking all the photos of customers you see on the walls. Over the years a lot of people have met their husband or wife here as it use to be a popular teenage hangout in the 1970's.

In 1988, a baby was born in our tiny bathroom and all the news channels came for the story!

Lew's sudden passing in January of 2025 has left a big hole in our story. Along with the team,  I will strive to keep the cafe as it has always been.

Thank you for coming and I hope we see you often!

Karen Carlton

Owner and Manager