Cloud City Ice Cream needs $60,000 to stay open after 15 years

Residents of Portland’s Woodstock neighborhood have the chance to keep their local ice cream shop open. Cloud City Ice Cream is asking for $60,000 in donations to cover its remaining debts and operating costs. The shop launched a GoFundMe page on Tuesday, October 27. By Wednesday, October 28, the campaign had collected nearly $38,000.

The financial strain began in 2024 when the shop suffered a major equipment failure. That breakdown forced a temporary closure during the busy summer season. Owner Bryan Gilbert said the loss of summer revenue put the business in a tough financial spot. He noted that the shop has used up its personal savings to cover costs for the past two summer seasons. Gilbert added that current loan options are not sustainable for the long term.

Gilbert admitted he wishes he had started a crowdfunding campaign sooner. He described asking for financial help as a difficult task. He has served the neighborhood for fifteen summers. In an Instagram post, he wrote, “Whatever happens, it’s been an absolute pleasure to be a small part of the amazing community, and we’re so grateful to everyone who has supported our little shop.”

The shop has deep personal roots for Gilbert. He founded the business in 2011 after learning his mother was losing her battle with cancer. He felt the local ice cream shop, where his mother took his twins for their first taste of ice cream, was also declining. His mother passed away the day before he signed the lease and opened Cloud City. He called her his best friend and the business a tribute to her.

Gilbert wrote on the shop’s website, “I hope she would have been proud.” He said the team is honored to have served the community for the past fifteen years. The team wants to stay open for several more summers if the donations come through.

Cloud City Ice Cream is located at 4525 S.E. Woodstock Blvd. It is open every day from noon to 9 p.m. The shop continues to sell small-batch ice cream while it awaits the final outcome of the fundraising campaign.