Gateway Shopping Center — Attraction in Portland

If there was a zero, that is what they would be rated. Traveled 3.5 hours to Cascade Station, love Red Robin, so glad to seen they were open until 10:00 p.m. place was relatively empty, but hostess (manager) advised 30 minute wait. When asked why, since so many empty tables, told only one waiter. Asked if cooks would be okay with that since they would be closed, she advised she is the manager and would deal with them. No problem, we thought. We traveled with 18 year old son, like everywhere else, were going to get a beer from the bar and drink it in waiting area with him. Manager told us we could not do that. I told her I used to work for Red Robin and always allowed guests to walk within the restaurant with adult beverages. She said we simply could not. As we waited, several other parties came in and were filling up the waiting area, too. -- with less than 30 minutes until closing. This woman did not even attempt to help waiter or others. It was almost as if she dissuaded people from staying. Several left, and we then followed on out. One person picking up a to-go order was forced.to wait an extra 10 minutes, while shakes melted and fries grew cold, for change, then had the nerve to ask for straws. It was obvious 2 drinks, but manager asked her ridiculously how many she needed, then callously threw them into the bag almost without looking. Patron was visibly upset. Disgraceful and disrespectful to let money walk out the door. This is not good customer relationship management. She needs to find another gig before she trashes their reputation and loses RR more money. Terrible "manage" on Thursday, 08/19/2021!!!! Applebee's was a truly wonderful experience, by the way. Friendly staff, immediate seating,...

The Gateway Shopping Center has a variety of shops, including a Starbucks (no drive-thru) and Game Stop and many others. I visit the Starbucks and the Fred Meyers the most. There is a Max stop and medical buildings just across the street, west, or behind the Fred's. There are several bus stops on the main streets around the parking lot. The Fred's has a Starbucks inside, and the bathrooms are clean and wheelchair friendly, altho occasionally understocked. (Bring some tissues just in case.) The Fred's parking lot has a fair number of handicap spots, but it is crowded like an older parking lot, and a little awkward, but the parking around the other buildings is really spacious with plenty of handicapped parking. It's always tempting to park in front of the Kohl's next to the Fred's but it is still a bit of a walk to the entrance. This Fred's caters to a very multi-cultural population, so their inventory is always so different and interesting. The employees and the customers are just surprisingly friendly! You get responding smiles, people talking to you spontaneously, asking how you are, and comments on merchandise and offers to help. If you are a people person, and watcher, like me, this Fred's is a veritable paradise. There is a sitting area near the deli that used to have many outlets for computers and such, but they have all been covered. The only outlet I found (to recharge my chair) was in the little pharmacy waiting area. I love the uniqueness of this Fred Meyers and I hope they never change...

It's an interesting mix of business. There's the transit transfer hub for TriMeth; Kohls and Fred Meyer's babysitting a few other shops to keep it Strip Mall, a Portland Clinic, with a Winco and Marijuana shop for commerce support across the street. What is odd to me is the amount of parking spaces. Such a huge, wrap-around lot that I have never seen even half utilized on the busiest of shopping days. So, of course, with all the necessary services for basic life in one area, it's not surprising that it is a popular place to reside for those without houses. Tents, abandoned vehicles, and the like almost make a solid border around 2/3 of the ever empty lot. What would allocating the 2 furthest corners of that lot to these people do to benefit those people, the businesses and their customers, and the neighborhood in general? Imagine a couple outhouses with wash stations that ARE SERVICED, along with appropriate garbage dumpsters... it's beyond a nice thought for those residing in this area unhoused. It's necessary for the health safety of all of us! I would love to see people living in a designated area for that, instead of in front of the park across the street. There must be something special the Gateway Shopping Center keeps that huge amount of never used parking spaces so clean and maintained for that I don't see. The asphalt itself is better maintained than anywhere else nearby. But, for what purpose? 💁 Portland's Priorities after selling out to T.V. fantasm...