Friendly faces at the Ugly Mug

Story and photo by Briena Sash
The Portland Upside
November 2009

Since the Ugly Mug opened in Sellwood seven years ago, co-owner Kim Newdel’s coffeehouse has become a community of loyal employees and customers.

The old wooden door creaks as I pull it open to enter the Ugly Mug Coffeehouse. Coming off the busy street is like stepping into another realm.

The dimly lit shop is painted in warm yellows and oranges, cement floors stained and cracked. Heavy wooden countertops help create the cozy rustic atmosphere. Louis Armstrong serenades patrons sitting on the church pew and at scattered tables, reading books and papers and staring meditatively at laptop screens. Others chat and sip their lattes, chai teas and coffees from ceramic mugs.

A shelf lining the ceiling displays all sorts of mugs donated by Ugly Mug fans. Some have faces, others are molded into funny shapes, and many have been made by the customers themselves.

Freshly-ground beans and French-pressed coffee fills the air with a delicious aroma as the barista greets regulars by name. She knows most of the people approaching the counter, as well as their favorite drinks. Pam likes a mocha with whip in her own cup, Jay an Americano, Lloyd and Pauline favor medium skinny lattes.

The Ugly Mug Coffeehouse certainly holds its own in Portland’s epic coffee scene with its rich espresso and quirky atmosphere. But if you know a bit more about this locally owned neighborhood shop, you discover it is anything but typical.

Seven years ago when a young couple, Kim and Nigel, moved to Sellwood, they noticed a problem that needed fixing: there was no neighborhood coffee shop.

“I walked up and down the street,” Kim tells me, “stopping people and asking if they’d like to have a neighborhood coffeehouse.”

She received such an overwhelmingly positive response that they opened the Ugly Mug.

This is a true mom and pop shop. Nigel did most of the remodeling and woodwork, while Kim made everything from the curtains to the ceramic mugs from which customers enjoy their drinks.

“That’s why it’s called the Ugly Mug,” explains Kim with a laugh as she holds up one of her handcrafted mugs. It’s big and white with a green swirl and a few chips. It is certainly well loved.

“At the time there were no coffee shops around at all, not even Starbucks,” Kim says. “The first day we opened, there was a line out the door. We’ve never had a slow period here.”

Now Sellwood is full of coffee shops, but The Mug continues to have a big following of loyal patrons, many of whom have been coming since the doors first opened.

Why are people so loyal to the Ugly Mug?

When I started working at the Mug as a barista in June, I realized there is so much more to this coffeehouse than just, well… coffee.

Not only is it a cozy, comfortable place with delicious drinks, free Wi-Fi, famed Stumptown Coffee and scrumptious pastries. Nor is it simply the well-trained baristas impressing customers with their perfectly-pulled shots and whimsical latte art.

The Ugly Mug’s success has to do with Kim and her consciousness as a business owner. She cares about her customers, about quality and most importantly, about the community.

Kim supports her community by investing in the best local products she can find, including hormone-free Sunshine Dairy products, Kettleman’s Bagels, and delicious Voodoo Donuts. Where she can, she buys from businesses local to the Sellwood neighborhood.

“Most of our pastries come from Lilli, which is on 17th. Our chocolate, Holy Kacow, is even made in Sellwood,” she notes.

Kim is concerned not only about quality and local products, but also their environmental impact as well. She recently tested new biodegradable straws and she currently offers a ten-cent discount when you bring your own cup.

“Now I’m trying to figure out a way to encourage people to bring their own to-go mugs,” she explains.

Perhaps the best reflection of Kim’s approach to business is how she treats her employees.

“Most of our baristas stay with us for a long time. We all love each other. Until recently, our newest employee has been with us for over a year,” says Kim.

Indeed, their longest-term barista, Jen, has been at the Ugly Mug since the doors opened seven years ago! She is young and charismatic, with an infectious smile and a healthy dose of spice. Not only is it apparent that Jen loves her job, it’s very clear that people love Jen as their barista.

“She works magic,” a fellow barista told me. “She’s an awesome barista and has so much love for everyone. Not to mention everyone loves her!”

Loyal patrons and employees had a chance to express their affection when about two months ago a terrible accident landed Jen in the hospital and out of work.

“I was washing the sun tea pitcher when it shattered, cutting open my wrist. Luckily Maggie [an Ugly Mug regular and RN] was there. The paramedic told me that with this kind of cut it would have taken about two minutes to bleed to death. Maggie saved my life,” Jen professes.

“It was amazing to see the Ugly Mug community respond to Jen’s absence and misfortune. Not only were people asking about her, deeply concerned every day,” an Ugly Mug barista explains, “people were bringing in dozens of get-well cards.”

In response to Jen’s lack of income, Kim also printed out a meal plan where people could sign up for a day to bring Jen dinner. It filled up almost instantly as customers brought in wholesome home-cooked meals to offer her.

Kirsten, a fellow barista, came up with yet another plan to help out. She decorated a jar and called it “Jen’s ‘heart’ fund”, where people could donate money and kind words to help Jen recover.

“I came in to pick it up and found a piece of paper folded like an envelope,” Jen tells me, tears welling in her eyes. When she opened it up she found five hundred dollars cash, donated anonymously.

“I can feel so much love from everyone,” Jen says. “I know it’s helping me to heal faster”.

The Ugly Mug shines above the average coffee shop in most ways according to employee Kirsten Brady. Kirsten is not only an Ugly Mug barista, but also a talented artist.

This year, she and the Ugly Mug are hosting the second annual art-for-charity project, actively involving community volunteers who use their creativity to raise money for a designated local nonprofit. Last year’s art-for-charity project raised over two thousand dollars.

This year’s project, called ‘Think Inside the Box’, has over 70 participants signed-up to make dioramas out of cigar boxes. Participants are encouraged to be as creative and unique as they want. The diorama artwork will be on display and up for auction at the Ugly Mug through December. This year’s beneficiary will be Sanctity of Hope, a Portland nonprofit supporting the city’s homeless community through alternative means.

The difference, I discovered, while working at this Portland coffeehouse, is that it’s not just about coffee. It’s about community.

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The Ugly Mug Coffeehouse is located at 8017 SE 13th Avenue. Visit their website at
www.uglymugpdx.com or call them at 503.230.2010.

Briena Sash is an Ugly Mug barista, travel photographer, photojournalist, and longtime community volunteer. Read her blog at www.streetquotes.wordpress.com