The District, formerly the nightclub known as the Indigo District, will open its doors for business Saturday, but not before it makes a difference to one dog-loving family.
Club owners are transforming the bar and dance club, Indigo, into The District, a coffee bar, bar, dance club and entertainment venue.
The coffee bar’s non-profit program, Coffee for Canines, helps save the lives of dogs in need, and the program’s first beneficiary underwent surgery last week. Six-year-old Axel, the Shih Tzu adopted from Greenhill Humane Society in Eugene, is recovering at home after having cancer removed from his leg.
While The District partners wanted to retain the Indigo’s night-spot status, they also wanted to broaden the club’s appeal and do some good in the community. Hence, a non-profit coffee bar serving the locally made Wandering Goat coffee and Portland’s Stumptown Coffee with a side of free Wi-Fi.
Proceeds for Axel’s surgery came from one of The District’s silent partners.
Libby Adams, one of The District’s partner owners, oversees the business’ non-profit, and chose to help dog owners with expensive veterinary attention after spending time in a pet hospital with her sick pooch, Honey.
After $5,000 in vet bills, Honey bounced back to health, but Adams knows not all dogs are so lucky.
She was shocked by the difficult decisions dog owners had to face at the hospital when they couldn’t afford their pets’ surgeries, she told the Emerald earlier this month.
The District, at 1290 Oak Street, kicks off its grand opening with a by-invitation-only dance party on Thursday before the official opening on Saturday. The coffee bar will open Sunday with a benefit performance featuring jazz musician Paul Biondi.
For more information go to http://welcometothedistrict.com.