Coffee Stop Spotlight: Bob’s Red Mill
In February, Oregon lost a nationally recognized entrepreneur and the founder of a PBC regular coffee stop destination. Bob Moore founded Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods in 1978 and grew it into a global retailer of natural-food grains, energy bars, and cake and soup mixes. His company profited from the consumer shift away from highly processed foods and grains. Bob resisted selling his companies to giant corporations. He chose instead an employee ownership transition plan starting in 2010. 
By 2020, the plan was complete with employees owning 100% of the company. Bob’s plan shared his company’s success with the people who helped grow it. This story of his generosity is widely known around the Portland metro area. His more than 200 products are marketed in more than 70 countries. Bob’s Red Mill brand is commonly recognized across the USA. Bob Moore passed away at his home in Milwaukie. He was 94. ✎
“The Whole Grain Store” in Milwaukie (5000 SE International Way) is a combination retail store, restaurant, bakery, and warehouse that meets all the needs of PBC riders year-round. On the west side of the giant red building is a mature willow tree covering the patio with lots of tables and lots of bike parking. Inside there is a seating area with dining tables and chairs that are an option any time of year. In the cooler and rainier months, the patio is partially covered and equipped with radiant heaters that make these seating areas amazingly comfortable. The bike parking area is easily monitored from the patio, and the steel picket guardrail is perfect for looping your lock. Bike parking is also available in the front of the store next to the life-sized statue of Bob and an iconic red, slowly turning watermill. It’s a folksy reminder of the process of milling grains with hydropower.
The restaurant and bakery combination offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner or a pastry with coffee. The order line is always expedient, and it can back up around a display island of bagged cookies, bread, or 25-pound bags of baking flour. Riders are only limited by their appetite. Seasonal pastries, gluten-free pastries, vegan pastries, wheat-free options, egg sandwiches, soups, cheese polenta and daily specials are in the offering. They have a full kitchen, so your choices are endless. You can get your choice of plated servings or “to go” paper sleeves like coffee shops. Coffee is self-serve, and a refill is encouraged. Porcelain cups are a welcome alternative to the basic paper cup. If you like soft drinks, they offer a boutique brand of drinks made with real cane sugar. They are committed to providing wholesome foods and great service. Their trademarked slogan reads, “INSPIRING JOY WITH WHOLESOME FOODS.”
Richard Higgins, Vice President
