“I think all restaurants are really hurting and struggling, but I’m not sure if the city and state officials realize that to be a restaurant and to be in downtown Portland right now is a double blow,” Milne said. “Not only are we suffering from the pandemic, but we have an area of the state that everyone is avoiding eating and drinking.”

Restaurants and retailers throughout Oregon have struggled to stay afloat amid the coronavirus pandemic. Some businesses have already closed permanently. Others say their futures are uncertain.

But downtown Portland business owners say they are facing unique challenges as they try to recover from the economic devastation brought on by the pandemic. Many point to the raucous protests downtown and the controversial federal response, which have put the city atop national headlines.

While most of downtown is tranquil, and nearly all confrontations between protestors and police take place late at night, the nightly protests have given Portland a reputation for upheaval that businesses say is keeping shoppers away.