About Prescott Fountain
For nearly 100 years, this building has been a place of gathering, commerce, and connection – now, it begins a new chapter while honoring its storied past.
A Building with Many Lives
For nearly a century, the building at NE Prescott and 29th Avenue has been a cornerstone of the neighborhood—a place where locals gathered, shopped, and built memories. Originally constructed in 1922 by Thomas H. Cowley, an immigrant from the Isle of Man, the structure first opened as a grocery store and meat market. It quickly evolved, shifting to meet the needs of the growing community.
Over the decades, it has housed an eclectic mix of businesses: a soda fountain, butcher shop, antique store, barber shop, radio shop, bakery, and convenience store. In 1927, new owner Martha Sylvester reconfigured the 7,000-square-foot space into six retail shops, ensuring the building remained a vibrant hub of activity.
View of the building looking northeast from the corner of NE 29th and Prescott. Photo courtesy of Tom Robinson, Historic Photo Archive.
Most neighbors remember it as Food King Market, a dependable spot for last-minute grocery runs. Older residents recall it as the Prescott Fountain, where you could open a tab and sip an ice-cold Coke at the counter. No matter its name or purpose, the building has always been a symbol of neighborhood convenience and connection.
By the late 2010s, however, time had taken its toll. David and Kaybee Lee, who ran Food King from 1989 until 2019, eventually found it difficult to compete with larger grocery stores moving closer to the area. After 30 years, they decided to close the business and sell the building. As the pandemic unfolded, the once-lively space sat vacant, waiting for a new purpose.
After careful restoration, the historic Prescott Fountain Building is stepping into its next chapter—one that honors its past while embracing the future. The renovations have preserved the building’s charm while making way for something fresh, ensuring that it continues to serve as a gathering place for the community.
To carry forward the building’s long tradition of local connection and neighborhood spirit, a mural by local artist Eatcho on the east wall of the building (in the alley way) is honoring all past businesses owners and entrepreneurs who have contributed to this special place in NE Portland.
Come check it out when you are in the neighborhood!