Cloud City needs $60,000 to stay open

Cloud City Ice Cream is asking the public for $60,000 to keep its Portland shop open. The GoFundMe campaign launched on Tuesday, October 27. By Wednesday, October 28, the shop had collected nearly $38,000 toward that goal.

The shop, located at 4525 S.E. Woodstock Blvd., faces a financial strain after a major equipment failure in 2024. That breakdown forced a temporary closure. Owner Bryan Gilbert said the loss of summer revenue placed the business in a difficult position.

Gilbert stated that he and his team have used personal savings to cover costs for the last two summers. He noted that available loan options do not offer sustainable long-term terms. He expressed a wish that they had turned to crowdfunding earlier, though he admitted asking for financial help is difficult.

The shop has operated for fifteen years in the Woodstock neighborhood. Gilbert said the team has served the area for the past fifteen summers. He expressed a desire to remain for several more years. He described the experience as a pleasure and thanked the community for its support.

Gilbert founded the business in 2011. At the time, his mother was battling cancer. He viewed the neighborhood ice cream shop as a place where she had taken their twins for their first taste of ice cream. He felt that local tradition was fading as well.

His mother passed away the day before he signed the lease. Gilbert wrote on the Cloud City website that the business is a tribute to her. He hopes she would be proud of the shop.

Cloud City Ice Cream is open daily from noon to 9 p.m.