
Don’t bother getting out Google Maps and trying to find High Street in Portland. But neighborhood residents and fans of history know that Northwestern Parkway at one time was called High Street, because it ran higher above the wharf and riverbed.
Jared Miller, an 18-year Portland resident as well as contractor and developer, is hoping to bring some life back to the “quintessential small-town intersection” he calls the “Five Points of Portland” at 3300 Northwestern Parkway, where it meets 33rd Steet and Portland Avenue, across the street from the Portland Library and a few doors down from Portland Elementary.
Along with a community-minded group of owners and volunteers, over the past three years Miller has been working hard to launch High Street Public House, a neighborhood pub with specific plans to address the lack of sit-down, evening dining options in Portland. He aims to create a true public house, serving as a warm community meeting place and hangout, and is quick to credit the team effort.
“We’re talking thousands of hours,” Jared said, which includes a core of strong builders and carpenters by trade, constituting an informal tradesman’s guild. “Close to 100 people donating time, materials, and energy. That makes it real, real special.”

Jared said they had a very small budget, and other than the work of his devoted network of volunteers and fellow community-minded owners, the project was offset by revenue from some of his other rental properties, giving them a unique advantage when it came to embarking on a venture of this magnitude.
“We were able to operate freely, in a low-pressure environment,” he said, taking their time and chipping away, rather than facing intense deadlines and pressure to get it off the ground. “You typically don’t get three years.
“About a year ago, it was 50/50 here in the pub, as far as fun hangouts compared to hard work. Now that we’re getting closer, it’s more like 90/10.”
Jared bought the building in 2019, and in 2020 started imagining what it could be. By 2021, they were moving.
But it’s more than beer and food that gets Jared and his extended network of family, friends and neighbors excited. They are rabid fans of Brentford F.C. (football club, or soccer), an underdog of the English Premier League, which represents the highest level of the sport in England. High Street has literally planted the flag behind the bar (the club is called the Bees) and has gained authorization and attention across the pond as an official team club with the Bees.
Jared said the European flair will extend to the food offerings they look forward to sharing. “We’re thinking about maybe Irish and British beef pies and soup,” he said, and doubling down on the football fandom with “Brentford Brunch”, which will only occur during the Bees matches, which often occur in the morning hours here in the United States. He credits owning group member and fellow Portland (and former U.K.) resident Leigh Miah with bringing his passion for Brentford to the neighborhood.
Jared said the building was built in 1890 and was most recently the home of the Toll Bridge Inn, which was in business until the early 2000s. But it has a colorful history as a candy store and athletic club before it was known as the Portland Pub in the 1970s and ‘80s. It was adjoined to a building next door which eventually burned down, and which will be used as a patio space. There’s also the possibility of a lounge in the basement.
High Street will only serve Portland beers Kyros and Shippingport, with no alcohol sales at this time.
“We want to start small and eventually expand the space and the menu,” Jared added, noting breakfast burritos would be a potential brunch option. Also, coffee would be provided by Ithmah Coffee Roasters right next door, featured in last month’s Portland Anchor. He also noted that they had an impressive collection of antique brass items (tastefully displayed in the pub) and hopes to open a marketplace of sorts (with a house scale) for people to bring in to sell their brass. Finally, in another quirk, he wishes to promote and develop a curated hot sauce collection.
While there is no official opening date, stay tuned for early 2025, Jared said. Initially they will be open for dinner on Thursdays and Fridays, and “Brunch with Brentford,” whenever their beloved football club is playing.
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