Elmer's Restaurants Expanding Into Former Shari's Locations Across Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore. — A familiar name in the Oregon diner scene is stepping up to fill the void left by the recent closure of Shari’s restaurants across the state.

Earlier this year, Shari’s, once a go-to destination for breakfast, late-night meals, and signature pies, abruptly closed all its Oregon locations. The closures came in October following unresolved debts owed to the Oregon Lottery, which ultimately sent the company to collections.

Now, Elmer’s Restaurants, another well-loved regional chain known for its hearty American breakfast and lunch offerings, is moving into several of the iconic hexagon-shaped buildings that once housed Shari’s.

Elmer’s Announces New Locations

According to Elmer’s official website, the company is planning to open several new locations in the following areas:

Near Portland International Airport
Hillsboro
Tualatin
Bend

Each of these new restaurants will occupy a former Shari’s location, offering a fresh start for buildings that have long been familiar to Oregon diners.

A New Chapter for Oregon Diners

The shift marks a significant moment for fans of classic diner fare in Oregon. While the loss of Shari’s marked the end of an era, Elmer’s expansion brings renewed life to spaces that have long served as community gathering places.

Elmer’s, originally founded in Portland in 1960, continues to focus on scratch-made meals, warm hospitality, and family-friendly dining. Their return to these former Shari’s sites could be seen as a revival of the local diner experience — with a new but familiar name on the sign.

No official opening dates have been announced yet for the new locations, but the expansion suggests Elmer’s is poised to play a bigger role in Oregon’s casual dining scene moving forward.