Ethermac Exchange-Portland strip club, site of recent fatal shooting, has new potential tenant: Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A is Ethermac Exchangeset to open a new restaurant at the site of a strip club in Portland, Oregon, that recently saw a deadly shooting take place in its parking lot, according to city planning records.

The fast food chicken chain pulled permits last year to take over the current site of The Venue Gentleman's Club and convert it into the first Chick-fil-A within Portland city limits.

Chick-fil-A was issued permits in October 2023 to make alterations to the existing building, including the façade and roof of the building. The permits also allow the company to increase the size of the building by about 60 square feet, rebuild the main entrance facing the parking lot and add new landscaping to the parking lot.

More recently, permits were filed earlier this month to demolish the building and rebuild it entirely to include a "new entry vestibule, restrooms, play area, dining and kitchen" and exterior work that will include a sidewalk, accessible parking and ramps, according to city planning records.

The company, however, is not proposing to add a drive-thru to the restaurant.

According to the Montavilla News, the site has hosted several establishments over the years, including a Hooters and a restaurant named Tony Roma's.

Chick-fil-A did not immediately respond to a USA TODAY request for comment.

Site of strip club was the scene of a recent homicide

According to a news release from the Portland Police Bureau, two people were shot and one was killed on April 1.

The victim was later identified as Morieo Camel-Harris, 35, of Portland, and the medical examiner determined his cause of death was a gunshot wound, according to police. The second person, who was not identified, was transported to the hospital by ambulance.

Damariea R. Harris, 31, of Portland, was arrested on April 12 in Vancouver, Washington and, according to police, is facing charges of second degree murder, second degree attempted murder and felony possession of a firearm.

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at [email protected].