What's Happening in Tigard, OR…

Michelle Cruz, who runs Chilita’s in the lobby of the Tigard Public Library, is the new entrepreneur-in-residence at the Library’s Opportunity Café.

Baked goods prepared in a commercial kitchen, in addition to a range of coffee drinks, are some of the items served at Chilita’s. Pizza bagels and breakfast burritos, which will be prepared on site, will also be on offer. Cruz is also considering serving a bubble waffle ice cream product which she created. Such establishments can take advantage of flyer printing to promote their businesses and their offerings.

The economic development manager of Tigard, Lloyd Purdy, said that Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO) selected Cruz among seven applicants with whom it is working, based on her menu offerings and experience in restaurant operations. Cruz is the second entrepreneur to be part of the business incubator in Tigard. This is a program supporting entrepreneurs in a business focused on food before they move to a permanent location.

The Opportunity Café is a collaboration between MESO and the city and provides selected entrepreneurs with resources to help them run a successful business. Space is leased by the city to MESO for two years. MESO then provides support that includes credit building and other advice along with an individual development savings account. Satellite manager for business development at MESO, Joshua Jacobs, said that the organization is committed to fueling the dreams of these special entrepreneurs.