James Kai Louie, the co-owner of Portland’s oldest restaurant, Huber’s Cafe, passed away on Monday at the age of 79.
Louie succumbed to complications related to intestinal issues, leaving behind his wife, Helen Louie, and three sons.
The restaurant industry played a significant role in Louie’s life; his brother, David Louie, described the impact of their family business on his character.
According to David, James was shy in his younger years, and working at Huber’s Cafe helped him connect with people.
“He was not that easy for him to just interact with people when he was younger,” David Louie explained.
Through his time at the restaurant, James opened up and discovered his ability to relate to others.
David Blondek, a longtime bartender at Huber’s, recalled how James remembered nearly every customer’s name—even those he hadn’t seen in years.
When asked how he managed this, James revealed that he focused on subtle details about customers and tied them back to their names.
“His people skills are like none other,” Blondek praised.
“Other people can manage, but not in the way that he has.
He was truly an ambassador to the city in that sense.”
Huber’s Cafe, established in 1879, features a stunning interior with a stained-glass skylight, mahogany paneling, terrazzo floor, and brass cash registers—all dating back to 1910 when the restaurant relocated to its current location.
The Railway Exchange Building, where the cafe resides, has been recognized on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979.
The restaurant has been wholly owned by the Louie family since 1956, and James Kai Louie’s lineage runs deep within its walls.
His great-uncle, Jim Louie, began as a cook at Huber’s in 1891 and became an integral part of the establishment, ultimately acquiring half the business in 1940 for just one dollar.
James Kai Louie is particularly known for introducing Spanish coffee to Huber’s in 1975, alongside the restaurant’s famed roast turkey and welcoming service.
A tradition that dates back to the late 1800s offers a turkey sandwich and coleslaw for customers who buy an alcoholic drink, establishing the turkey legacy that continues today.
According to both his family and longtime employees, James Kai Louie made everyone who entered Huber’s feel at home.
His son, James Christopher Louie, emphasized this sentiment, saying, “As a boss, everybody felt like he was more like a loving father.
For customers, they felt like they were close, close friends.
It was like everybody was made to feel like they were part of an inner circle.”
His love for drawing cartoons as a child showcased a creative side of James, while his later passion for wine made him a connoisseur.
A dedicated Boston Red Sox fan, Louie made it a point to attend at least one game each season, including this year where he enjoyed a game in Seattle.
Despite the loss, James Christopher Louie and his uncle, David Louie, plan to continue running Huber’s Cafe, affirming their commitment to the legacy left behind.
“We want to try to keep it going,” he expressed, reflecting on the deep connection to the family business.
Numerous staff members echoed this sentiment, with Roxanne Lau, a manager, expressing her gratitude on Instagram.
“We’ll miss you.
I’ll miss you,” Lau wrote.
“We will do our best to carry on the legacy you left us.
Thank you for giving us all a second family in Huber’s.”
image source from：oregonlive
