Concordia Neighborhood Association | Portland, Oregon

Category Archives: Local Businesses

Redbird Studio Celebrates 20 Years on Alberta

Posted on by Posted in Arts & Culture, Concordia News, Local Businesses

By Cynthia Coburn, Contributing Writer

Redbird Studio has been on Alberta Street since 2006. Photo by Cythia Coburn.

When Redbird studio owner Mel was in kindergarten, she loved to draw and was given the nickname Redbird. She started putting little red birds on the back of cards that she drew for her mom. In 2004, Mel turned her love of illustration into a line of greeting cards and on April 1st, 2006 Mel and her business partner Paul opened Redbird Studio. Located at 2927 NE Alberta St.next to Claudio Starzak Jewelry, Redbird has been in the neighborhood for nearly 20 years.

Originally at the Portland Saturday Market, they were lucky to move into part of the HiiH Gallery space by having connections in the art community. In 2020, Paul decided to focus on his music career and family. Mel was ready to take on the studio as a solopreneur.

Since then, Mel has expanded the business from her original greeting card line to include stationery, baby onesies, bags and screen prints and she manages illustration, painting, silk screening and hand making each piece. She also fulfills online orders from her Etsy shop.

While it has had its challenges running the shop by herself, she says it has been gratifying and she has enjoyed bringing her vision to fruition. She may run the studio by herself, but she is surrounded by many talented artists on Alberta Street.

“We help each other and I am thankful for the support and friendships I’ve made over the years,” she says.

Mel grew up on the edge of Lewis and Thurston county in Washington. She went to school and spent time in Centralia, Washington. She shared a memory of her dad, saying he was a mechanic and opened up his own shop in Rochester, WA on April Fool’s Day, just like Redbird Studio, although she didn’t know about the coincidence until after she opened Redbird.

If you’ve had the pleasure of shopping at Redbird Studio, you know how special her cards and gifts are. If you are in the neighborhood, stop by and say “hi” or you can find her online at etsy.com/shop/redbirdstudiopdx.

Cynthia Coburn is a retired graphic designer who has lived in the Concordia neighborhood for over 20 years. You can find her and Daisy, her dog, walking in the neighborhood or working in her yard and garden. Favorite motto: Life is good in the neighborhood!

Faces of Concordia – Creating Community in a Little Irish Pub

Posted on by Posted in CNA, Local Businesses
T.C. O Leary’s pub owner Thomas O’Leary says the pub is “a place of community development.” Photo submitted by Thomas O’Leary.

A Conversation with Thomas O’Leary

By David Corby | Contributing Writer

On the wall of T.C. O’Leary’s hang black and white photos that represent the history behind the establishment. The framed photos honor previous generations of friends and family members who have invested, supported, and celebrated the existence of NE Alberta’s “Little Irish Pub.” In this way, you’re surrounded by community from the moment you walk through the pub’s doors. For owner Thomas O’Leary, that connection is deeply intentional.

“A pub can be a lot of different things,” he shares with me. “It’s a room that you can tell stories in. A room that you can have music in.” He looks around the room thoughtfully, breathing in the history of the space. “What it’s really become is a place of community development.”

In 2009, O’Leary moved to the United States after a lifetime spent in Ireland. He and his wife Siobhan spent time living in New York and Los Angeles before ultimately landing in Portland. An actor by trade, O’Leary spent part of his time during those years working in the bar scene, and he gradually began to fall in love with the setting. When the owner of the Branch Whiskey Bar decided that it was time to pour its last drink in 2016, Thomas took the risky leap to transition from bar manager to bar owner. Thus, T.C. O’Leary’s was born.

Like many great suggestions, the name was Siobhan’s idea. “She said you can’t go wrong with putting your own name over the bar, because you can’t limit that. It can be anything you want it to be inside the door.” Nearly nine years later, what it’s become is a true place of community and connection. A small escape to Ireland under the familiar grey skies of Portland. “An Irish pub is somewhere you go to let everything else go,” he says. “Somewhere to just escape and have fun. We have literary groups, music, sports—generally all these people will get to know each other and help each other. That’s the feeling around the pub.”

The power of that sentiment was most apparent during the early days of the pandemic, when T.C. O’Leary’s was forced to close its doors while the global restaurant industry faced an uncertain future. During that time, community members would come by and implore the pub to stay open, emphasizing how important the space was to the neighborhood. Thinking back on those years, O’Leary’s expression is quietly reflective. “That’s always been the value of what this place is to me,” he says.

Through the efforts of his staff and the collaboration of the community, T.C. O’Leary’s adapted its business model to prioritize takeout orders and expand outdoor seating. “We were constantly trying to innovate and give an opportunity to come out,” he explains. “The first time that someone played live music here again, it was quite emotional. You forget how important that is.”

In the alleyway next to T.C. O’Leary’s is a chalk calendar that lists all of the events happening in the pub throughout each week. Live music, watch parties, reading groups—the list goes on. The calendar serves as an open opportunity for engagement. An invitation to step inside a warm Irish pub and escape the world outside. Sometimes, we forget how important that is.

David Corby is a poet, essayist, and professional overcommunicator. When he’s not out exploring the neighborhood with his wife and dog, chances are high that you can find him wrapping thoughts in words at your favorite local coffee shop.

Special Spaces – Just Bob Cafe Remembers Drugstore History

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, History, Local Businesses

By Leo Newman | Contributing Writer

Just Bob, the eclectic unicorn laden cafe is the latest business to operate out of the historic Alberta Pharmacy building on NE Alberta and 24th Ave, easily recognized by its seafoam exterior and iconic neon ‘Alberta Rexall Drugs’ sign. When Bob and Fayren Chang took over the cafe in 2014, they inherited a community of artists, performers and regulars with it.

A Convenient Doctor’s Office and Pharmacy

The Colonial Revival building was constructed at the eastern end of the Alberta Streetcar line in 1909. The first floor was designed for commercial use and the second story contained three apartments and some offices. Portland permit records show that E. R. Durst, one of the Alberta Pharmacy’s oldest traceable owners, began renovating the property in April, 1912. His wife led the Alberta Women’s Club, which met at 1030 East Twenty-Fourth Street North, now 4904 NE 24th Ave. In October, 1914, an elevator operator was found guilty of stealing the pharmacist’s bicycle and sentenced to “100 days on the rockpile.”

Just across Alberta was the office of Dr. Brown, who ran a family medical practice with a Dr. Chick. Though the doctor’s office would change hands a number of times, they maintained a close relationship with each other. For over half a century, getting your prescription filled was “as easy as crossing Alberta”, according to local residents. After the Second World War, Dr. Duncan Dickenson took over for the retiring Dr. Brown.

Paul Schimpf, 89, has lived across the street since the late thirties and has regularly eaten breakfast at the cafe with his friend Peter for nearly two decades. Schimpf remembers Chris Sorenson, the pharmacist that served Alberta from 1940 until his retirement in 1969. A Portland native, Sorenson was raised on NE Gantenbein Ave. and attended Jefferson High School and later the Oregon Agricultural College (now Oregon State University) in Corvallis.

Rexall Drugs, A Neighborhood Hangout

Shortly after purchasing the Alberta Pharmacy, Sorenson, along with thousands of independent pharmacists across the country, franchised the popular Rexall brand and installed the now iconic ‘Alberta Rexall Drugs’ sign off the second story. The Rexall Drug Company initially manufactured branded pharmaceutical goods for sale in retail stores. Rexall would contract with only one retailer in any given market. Its products could be found on the shelves of the Owl Drug Company in Downtown Portland, located across the street from its bitter rival, Meyer and Frank. By the late fifties, Rexall was the largest drugstore franchise in the U.S. with 11,158 stores, which is just shy of the number of McDonald’s in the country today.

“When I grew up, this is where you got your Rexall,” says Schimpf. “As you waited to get your prescription filled, you got a soda or a coffee at the bar.” The soda fountain bar ran down the right side of the store, as did the pharmacy counter. Along the right wall on the left were newspapers and magazines. Home goods, like diapers, could be found in the back of the store. Neighbors came to pay their bills, cash money orders and chat with friends around the soda fountain.

In the late 1970’s, the Rexall model of independent pharmacies began to lose out to larger competitors like Thrifty Drug and CVS Pharmacy. The workingclass neighborhood of Alberta also struggled to hold its own, accumulating boarded up buildings and enduring a record crime rate.

28 year-old Andy Kostechka, Alberta’s last pharmacist, threw in the towel in September 1981, one week after being held at gunpoint Alberta’s last pharmacist for the third time. An Oregonian article on the robbery described the pharmacy as “the last neighborhood gathering place that isn’t a tavern” and “a meeting place for adults at midday, and everybody’s kids after school.” At a final gathering in the pharmacy, neighbors shared Lorraine Schimpf’s carrot cake and drank coffee poured by Terry Olbekson, who tended the soda fountain for 21 years. When the store closed, many thought its defining neon sign would be shut off for good.

Bohemian Cafes with Creative Atmosphere

Still, the community continued to gather around its times-old meeting place. In 1993, Magnus Johannesson, a prominent figure in the Alberta Arts real estate scene, bought the property and rented the commercial space to a series of bohemian cafes; including The Rexall Rose and the Star E. Rose. Johannesson opened some of the upstairs lofts to veterans that had been on the streets since they had returned from Vietnam. The coffee houses hosted musicians and open mics and frequently advertised in alternative periodicals like Just Out. Johannesson maintained the property at a loss and when his bills went into default, the building changed hands.

By the time Bob and Fayren Chang arrived in 2014, the property was an Anna Bannanas cafe and its owners were looking to retire. The couple, fresh to Portland after running an English school in Taiwan, loved the building for its old bones, high ceiling and its creative atmosphere that most other coffee shops had lost.

Last December, Just Bob, along with building owner Eric Payne led the charge to relight the Rexall sign. Funded by a grant from the now defunct Alberta Main Street Association, the community gathered on New Year’s Eve 2025 to cheer the light being relit for the first time in over 30 years. Now the Changs keep the sign lit 24/7. “It’s a beacon of hope and optimism,” Fayren says, “especially on a dark foggy morning, casting its red glow down Alberta Street.”

Just Bob continues to host local artists and host various musicians and performers. Mary Rose and her string band have batted out folk standards and protest songs every Sunday for the last 30 odd years. Newcomers have also arrived to the scene, such as the cafe’s very own Gabe Holmes, who hosts a comedy open mic the last two Saturdays of each month. You can still find Paul Schimpf eating breakfast by the window. If you do, say hello.

Leo Newman is a paralegal and aspiring writer based in NE Portland. Trained as a historian, he enjoys exploring the history of Portland and the Pacific Northwest.

Record Collector’s Hub Short Walk from Concordia Commons

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses

By Joshua Lickteig | Contributing Writer

On a snug Sunday afternoon amidst the circular whir of an old record being spin-washed in the back office, I watch as record store Music History’s owner Geoff Zagarola welcomes a regular, a collector of rare soul and jazz. The two immediately begin catching up over concerts, upcoming DJ sets around town, and the buzz on recent shows in Pendleton, Grant’s Pass, and Beaverton. Just having returned from a trip to New York, where he once lived, Zagarola’s day has been a mix of commitments, from curating stock to arranging his five employees’ schedules and advising on special projects.

Each engagement is a cheerful one as new and familiar visitors serious about high-fidelity sound enter Music History (5400 NE 30th Ave., Suite 106) which is just south of Killingsworth Street up NE 30th Avenue in a mixed-use three-story building. The store’s suite was formerly occupied by a legal office, a used leather goods business, and a residence.

Music History sells used records, cassettes, and vintage clothing; on occasion they carry new releases from local labels like Mississippi Records. The store’s wooden multi-tier shelving, which Zagarola designed, hosts international and specialty sections: Afro-Latin, Blues, Country, Disco-Boogie, Electronic, Native American, Reggae, Rock \ Pop, Soul, and music from the Caribbean, China, Japan, India, the Middle East, and North and South Africa. This visit, I find the Gamelan orchestral LP, Dancers of Bali’, reissued in the 1960’s.

Music History has quickly drawn a following in the city amongst recordheads and vinyl lovers and in June, it celebrated its first anniversary with a barbecue outside and tunes in the amenity space. In October, André 3000 stopped by for gospel while in town for a performance at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

We discuss how the record as art and personal object tells a story over time, also, how a mere collection of things can lose its purpose. He says personally he may have about a thousand discs, then jests about a fellow enthusiast with upwards of thirty times that.

“I got into records in elementary school. My dad was kind of an audiophile,” Zagarola, who is in his early thirties, recalls. His first sale, a soughtafter original Latin pop album by singer Raphael, given to him by his mother, who is from Puerto Rico, jumpstarted several years of vending vinyl on Ebay and Discogs. In highschool, he learned the art of sampling and gained equipment knowledge through playing his friend’s turntables. He also learned to unearth gems in the 50¢ bins at Everyday Music and attended flea markets and conventions to find records. Prior to June of 2023, he ran a popular booth at Crossroads Music as Vendor “404”.

Moments later a group of young travelers from Paris stops in, then an avid collector who makes special trips from Seattle comes by. All take note of the staff picks bin in the northside window by the entrance. “We’re in a real resurgence, but it will never be what it was pre-Napster,” Zagarola says, referring to the convenience of finding music on the internet via streaming services. “I’ve built my niche to the collector.”

Whether you’re a collector, you want to learn more about music, or you want to support local businesses, drop by Portland’s newest old record store, right here in Concordia. Check them out on Wednesdays through Sundays from 1-8 pm or visit their website, music-history. org, to learn more.

Joshua Lickteig is an artist and engineer. He was born near the other Milwaukee and has been in Portland for six years. His latest book of poems is called Half Moon Day Sun.

Giving Thanks to the Earth During this Holiday Season

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses

By Esther Lerman Freeman | Contributing Writer

As we give thanks for our many blessings over this holiday season, I can think of no better way to honor those we love than being kind to the earth and all its inhabitants. Here are a few gift ideas that help keep our celebrations environmentally conscious:

White Elephant Gift Exchange

Each person is invited to bring something of theirs that they really like but no longer use or need, or are just ready to share. Sometimes it’s something quirky that they can’t wait to part with (like one year it was one of those mechanical singing fish). The gifts don’t need to be wrapped, they are on display for all to see. Everyone picks a number which determines the order in which people select gifts. When it’s your turn, you may pick a new gift or “steal” one that has already been taken. The person who you steal from then gets to pick something else from the selection. It becomes a comical competition, and everyone gets in on the fun.

White elephant gifts are my favorite zero-impact gift option. I’ve done this with friend groups and with family holiday gatherings and it’s always a blast.

Experiences

Experiences make memorable gifts, support our local businesses and decrease the need for extra packaging, transportation and shipping. If there’s such a thing as a win:win:win:win this is it. Here are some examples of great experience gifts:

  • Tickets for a play, concert or sporting event (such as NE theaters Profile Theater and Portland Playhouse or events at Alberta Rose, Alberta Abbey and Alberta Historic House)
  • An e-bike tour of Hood River through solrides.com
  • A gift card for a favorite brewery, bakery or restaurant
  • A gift certificate for a massage or facial (Check out tinymassagecart.com, sweetsaffronnaturalskincare.com)
  • A gift certificate for a class or services such as communitycyclingcenter.org or bike repair, cooking classes through viviennepdx.com or art classes through collagepdx.com
  • For loved ones far away consider gift cards they can use for special treats near them, like for a special chocolate store

Memberships

Memberships are experience gifts that keep on giving. Many local companies provide gist membership options. Here are a few ideas:

  • A pint of Salt and Straw every month
  • Two packages of coffee every other week delivered to their house by Keia and Martyn (keiaandmartynscoffee.com)
  • Membership to Dogwood wine club for monthly bottles and tasting (dogwoodpdx.com) Personal Donations Here are ways to donate your own time or money thoughtfully.
  • Donations to organizations of importance or special meaning to your loved ones in their honor
  • Gifts of service from you, like meals or a written promise of a few hours of gardening help or childcare.

Gifts for Children

Children’s gifts can get expensive. Rather than running to the store for the latest fad toy, consider gifting handmade coupons, which can be for any number of things, such as:

  • Get to stay up one hour late on chosen night
  • Pass to skip chores for a week
  • Ice cream sundae night
  • Visit to the fire station
  • Game Night of their choice
  • Making Playdoh together, building with Legos, or playing with a favorite toy
  • Extra books at bedtime

When wrapping your gifts, use reusable gift bags instead of wrapping paper and ribbons. Happy holiday season and may we all be blessed with health and peace.

Esther Lerman Freeman is a certified Master Recycler and Concordia resident.

The West Coast’s Largest Stamp Library Just Down the Street

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses

By Joshua Lickteig | Contributing Writer

Stamp enthusiasts sort through treasures at Oregon Stamp Society’s monthly Rose City Stamp Fair. Photo by Joshua Lickteig.

Had any fun with philately lately? Philately, the study and collection of postal delivery materials, prospers in an old fire station building on NE 33rd Avenue half a block south of Alberta Street. Its five columns, flagpole and prominent gable roof welcome visitors into worlds of hobby and history: stamps, postmarked envelopes, cards, letters, and souvenir sheets. Oregon Stamp Society (OSS), a volunteer-based organization belonging to the Northwest Federation of Stamp Clubs, hosts regular public fairs and bourses that bring together buyer enthusiasts, casual collectors, heirs, onetime sellers, and dealers. OSS operates the Northwest Philatelic Library, which contains over 5,300 items, 160 journals, and over 120 years of price catalogs.

Whether you are interested in a particular era, geographical region, subject or theme, discovery awaits at a clubhouse gathering. There’s splendor in the way dealers, exhibitors, and collectors operate the floor with respect and cooperation.

“Here, everyone wants to share their knowledge,” says Deborah Jutz, whose son Cétán just began looking for baseball-themed stamps. They like the thrill of the search, learning about the pastime together, and the patience and sincerity of the relaxed sellers.

In the lobby Steve King, OSS president for the past three and a half years and member since 2005, identifies the period of an unmarked postcard from the Crater Lake Hotel. King worked with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for 31 years.

“Back then, there were no photographs of small towns taken by citizens; just by official postcard photographers,” he notes. Lit magnifying glass in hand, the basis for his assessment lies in the lodge’s apparent physical condition in the picture and the thin white border on the postcard (a cost-saving measure following WWI).

Contrasting the contemporary boom of shared digital images, few personal letters are sent today. The society’s library manager Isaac Oelgart, removing a short-brimmed fedora and white blazer, joins the room.

“A stamp is a service,” he says, “unless you don’t use it, then it’s just a piece of paper.” Stamps generate revenue for government-run postal systems and can appeal aesthetically or as investments to buyers. Oelgart says that most newspapers used to have a philatelic columnist.

Downstairs, a library is kept in a tidy L-shaped space with over 25 subject categories, from auction catalogs to antiquated postal stationery. In a glass case by its entrance is a framed photo of Mary McBride, president from 1959-1960, instrumental in acquiring the clubhouse when it came up for sale in 1960. Presently, there are 6,000 or more unique resources for research. “We’re the biggest small or the smallest big [mail] library in the United States,” Oelgart says. Only Chicago and New York host a more sizable set of stacks.

OSS is healthy as an organization, publishes its newsletter The Album Page monthly, and has low member resignation over the years. Though as some pass on, less join. In 1980 there were about 450 members; today 150, and ten to thirty people attend the board meetings. The clubhouse is also leased to other local organizations; namely, Webfooters Post Card Club, Sojourn Church PDX, All-Ireland Cultural Society of Oregon, and Northwest Chapter of the Studebaker Drivers Club.

Neighborhood support remains steady. In a couple of hours during my visit, at least three in-kind donations, mostly boxes of family collections, even stamp découpage, were received. Several passersby stopped and mentioned they’d been meaning to for some time. King says this is pretty regular.

OSS holds regular library hours, membership meetings and a monthly stamp fair that is open to the public. Deliver your intrigue to the historical realm of stampomania!

More Info

Library (4828 NE 33rd Ave.) open 2nd and 4th Saturdays from 10 am – 2 pm and 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from 6:30-8 pm Rose City Stamp Fair every second Saturday, 9 am – 3 pm

Joshua Lickteig is an artist and engineer. He was born near the other Milwaukee and has been in Portland for six years. His latest book of poems is called Half Moon Day Sun.

Community Connections – Residents Appreciate KISS Coffee at U of O Campus

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses

By Heidi Hiasson | Assistant Director of University, Communications, University of Oregon

Maleka Blake, of Multnomah County Library, waits as KISS owner Sarah Pearson makes a caramel latte. Photos by Heidi Hiaasen.

When Lavelle Allen stepped up to the counter at the new KISS coffee shop on the University of Oregon campus, owner Sarah Pearson asked if she wanted her regular order – a latte and poppyseed muffin.

It’s common for KISS employees to get to know their regulars. But in this case, Allen had moved from the neighborhood the year before, and this was a new location for KISS on the University of Oregon Portland campus.

“This is exactly why we all love KISS. They are so friendly and part of the community,” Allen says. She and Mary Knocke found a table in front of two-story windows in the Library and Learning Center, where KISS on Campus is located. The sun was bright and warm, even though frost still covered the grass near the amphitheater outside.

Knocke, who has lived in the neighborhood since 2006, sipped her mocha. “I walk every day. That’s how we met,” she gestures at Allen. “We lived on the same street, and we would see each other out walking. I used to walk here with a book and get a coffee.”

The two talked about the worry within the neighborhood when the campus became empty and what might happen to it. “It was a sigh of relief when we heard about the University of Oregon,” says Allen. “The neighborhood likes having a university here. It makes it feel like a college town. Having KISS open here makes it just that much better.”

Pearson owns the business with her husband, Trae. The first location opened in June 2019.

“We were outgrowing our current space and wanted a second location close by. We wanted to take that step with our community,” Pearson says. “They’ve been fantastic with their support. U of O fits in with the community, too. Everyone is kind and friendly and it’s been a smooth transition.”

KISS owner Sarah Pearson mixes up batter for house-made pastries

KISS on Campus opened in January. It serves the seasonal coffees and housemade pastries that customers have come to know. It also serves bagels and lunch sandwiches, and is working on building out a grab-and-go section as well. In addition to neighbors, this location has become a favorite spot for U of O students, employees and those working on the renovations to the campus.

“It has good energy,” says Maleka Blake as she orders a decaf oatmilk latte with extra caramel. Blake works for Multnomah County Library, which has a temporary location on the other side of the building. “Also, make sure to try the seasonal jam on an everything bagel with cream cheese.”

KISS on Campus is located at 2800 NE Liberty St. in the Library and Learning Center on the University of Oregon Portland campus. Hours are 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Heidi Hiaasen has been with the University of Oregon since 2008 in a variety of communications roles. She works at the new UO Portland campus and enjoys exploring the Concordia Neighborhood

Changes and Additions to the Concordia Business Landscape

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses

By Nedra Rezinas | Contributing Writer

Teote closed late last summer. However, it is opening a location called Teote the Tavern at 5513 NE 30th Avenue. Teote isn’t the only thing different; driving and walking around our neighborhood, I’ve noticed a lot of changes to storefronts and businesses. Here’s a summary of the recent changes I’ve seen.

Alberta Street

Alberta Alley (3003 NE Alberta St.) has a new addition; Kaya, a cocktail bar that features 80s & 90s R&B music and elevated bar food. Kaya was inspired by the YouTube series “Kicks and Cocktails” which pairs cocktail drink recipes with specific sneakers.

Assembly Brewing will open its second location this winter on 2934 NE Alberta Street. Unlike the SE Foster location which only serves ages 21+, their Alberta location will serve all ages and offer five by-the-slice pizza options, whole pies, and more.

Vivienne, currently located on NE Sandy Boulevard, will be moving to 2724 NE Alberta Street and opening in the next couple of months. Vivienne is an independent, woman-owned cookbook store that carries kitchenware and linens. It also offers a daily wine bar, cookbook classes, and private parties.

 

Community Cycle Center (1700 NE Alberta St.) recently remodeled its storefront. Now it offers a new membership-based DIY workspace with thirteen stands, a smaller retail storefront with new and used items, and a bike repair classroom.

Bolt moved from NE 42nd to its new location on 2904 NE Alberta Street on November 9th. A fabric store with a focus on natural fabrics and sewing supplies, Bolt has been in Concordia for over 18 years.

Killingsworth Street

Autumn Coffee Cafe (3286 NE Killingsworth) is a new coffee spot providing fresh roasted, handcrafted coffee by the cup or beans you can take home and brew yourself. The 1600 block on Killingsworth is devoted to folks who enjoy plant-based and vegan products. Upper Moon Tattoo (5470 NE 16th Ave.), is a safe inclusive tattoo shop dedicated to using vegan and cruelty-free products. Orange & Blossom opened next door and is a modern, farm-focused, plantbased patisserie using seasonal, local and organic ingredients. Feral (1614 NE Killingsworth St.) opened in November with a focus on craft cocktails, natural wine, local beer and vegan cuisine.

NE 42nd Ave.

Queer Plants Cafe just opened in the former Miss Zumstein storefront on 5027 NE 42nd Avenue. Queer Plants Cafe is one part unique plant sale and one part cozy cafe, serving Coava Coffee, breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and bagels.

Misplaced Print Shop recently moved from Slabtown to 4831 NE 42nd Avenue. Misplaced offers custom screen printing for musicians, bars, restaurants, and nonprofits. It also has a retail selection of original printed-on accessories such as t-shirts, hats, and bags.

All these changes are exciting and invigorating to watch but it has been challenging for many businesses to keep their doors open since the beginning of the Covid outbreak. Let’s celebrate these new additions to our community and support these local businesses.

Nedra Rezinas lives near U of O in Concordia. She does marketing strategy for small businesses, is a mom, drinks tea, is a birder, and is passionate to build community.

Shop for Everyone on Your Holiday List Right Here in Concordia

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses

By Nedra Rezinas | Contributing Writer

Holiday shopping is around the corner and I want to encourage you to shop locally this year. Shopping locally creates jobs, keeps money in the local economy, nurtures a sense of community, and supports the environment by reducing waste and conserving energy. Luckily, we have access to a wide range of unique retail stores right here in Concordia. There’s truly something for everyone.

For the Ladies

Lady Mae’s Boutique provides lots of fashionable gifts for the holidays

Lady Mae Boutique (2136 NE Alberta St.) has a great selection of cute outfits and accessories to match. The boutique name is inspired by the owner’s mother “Lady Mae” and her ability to put together amazing outfits. Great gift items offered here are high quality sweaters, gold filled earrings, and super soft cashmere blend socks. They also have eye-catching hair clips featuring fruits and unique patterns in bright, happy colors and offer gift wrapping in pretty packaging. I’ll be stopping by to buy gifts for my daughter and niece.

For the Guys

If you know a dude who loves sports, Laundry (1723 NE Alberta St.) can help. Carrying a wide selection of vintage sports hats, jerseys, sweatshirts, shorts, jackets and accessories from many current and retired teams, you’ll find something unique that he will love! Another option, Blendily (1532 NE Alberta St.) carries an impressive selection of homemade beauty products that make nice stocking stuffers like beard oil, beard combs, and mustache wax.

For Your Colleagues and Acquaintances

Candles are inviting year round, but especially nice on cold, rainy winter days. Stop by Mister OK’s Essentials (1455 NE Alberta St.) for soy-based scented candles with creative names like Belvedere and Empathy. For those who enjoy something sweet, pick up a box of mini cheesecakes and other delicious treats at Tiny Moreso (4520 NE 42nd Ave.), a vegan bakery. Petite Provence Boulangerie & Pâtisserie (1824 NE Alberta St.) offers seasonal and standard macarons, lemon tarts, croissants, and more French pastries, which can be boxed up as gifts.

For Little Ones

A wide selection of toys and more at
Grasshopper

Shopping for the children in your life? Grasshopper (1816 NE Alberta St.) has got you covered with products from abroad and locally that are eco-friendly and fair trade. Grasshopper has something to delight kids of every age; from science-based toys, art kits, clothing and wooden toys to tea kits, books and games. Great gift ideas are the classic pull–along snail and Blabla dolls with distinct personalities. Don’t forget the cute stability balls for preschoolers and 200-500 piece animal puzzles for grade schoolers.

For Pet Lovers

Endless treats for pets at the Filling Station

The Filling Station (2001 NE Alberta St.) has everything you need for your pet; leashes, collars, toys, bowls, and food including freeze dried treats (good for both cats and dogs.) Many of the items are natural and eco-friendly. Show your pets some love this holiday with fun stuffies for your dog including the popular Lamb Chop and indulge your kitty with catnip pillows, tuna puree, and crinkle balls. The Filling Station is also a friendly place to bring your pets, boasting an outside treat station and lots of love and treats for pet guests inside. Can’t wait to get my dog something special.

For the Vintage Lover

KItchenware and more can be found at Take It or Leave It.

Take it or Leave It (5012 NE 42nd Ave.) is a nicely curated thrift store filled with treasures from today and yesterday. A majority of the store’s inventory comes from individuals who bring items for consignment or trade. This store has furniture, clothing, accessories, housewares, jewelry, kids’ toys, and puzzles. It has an impressive selection of vintage and new glassware, bowls, pitchers, plates, mugs and more. I find kitchenware makes an excellent gift. I’ve had luck buying items for my in-laws here (and for myself too!).

For Sci-fi and Fantasy Fans

Sci-Fi and fantasy books at Parallel Worlds

Parallel Worlds (2639 NE Alberta St.) has a vast collection of new and used fantasy and sci-fi books. I can buy YA fantasy books for my daughter and sci-fi books for my husband here. You’ll find classic authors like Ursula LeGuin, J.R.R. Tolkien, Terry Prachett, and many more. Gift recommendations are The Green Bone Saga by the local writer Fonda Lee and Monk & Robot by Becky Chambers.

Our neighborhood shops have a wide range of creative, unique items that make wonderful holiday gifts. This year, try exploring some of the stores above or one you’ve been curious about for your holiday shopping. I bet you’ll find some fun surprises along the way.

[All photos by Roxanne Rezinas.]

Nedra Rezinas lives near U of O in Concordia. She does marketing strategy for small businesses, is a mom, drinks tea, is a birder, and is passionate to build community.

New Restaurants at Alberta Alley Offer Unique Specialties and Cheerful Spaces

Posted on by Posted in Concordia News, Local Businesses

By Nedra Rezinas | Contributing Writer

Wall art along Alberta’s Alley outdoor alleyway, photo by Roxanne Rezinas

The graffiti art on the building in the alleyway at Alberta Alley (3003 NE Alberta Street) is playful, depicting children holding hands, walking along the street. I’ve been watching with curiosity to see the unfolding of this space. Currently there are three new restaurants: Boxer Ramen and Baes Fried Chicken opened early this year; Kinnamons, a bakery that sells cinnamon rolls and soft serve, opened this summer. I decided to take my family to check out these new businesses.

One standout feature is the covered alleyway itself. Framed by a large wall of plants, the alleyway connects all the storefronts and allows customers to eat outside, rain or shine. There’s also bench seating outside of the restaurants to enjoy during sunny weather that connects via a pedestrian walkway.

Ndamukong Suh and Micah Camden own Baes and Kinnamons together. Suh was excited to develop the space along Alberta. A native of Portland, Suh has watched Alberta change and evolve in the last decade and investing in building on Alberta was his way of creating the Portland he wanted to experience as a kid. According to an April interview in Eater, Suh wants Alberta to be a safe place to walk and encourages people to support the ever changing arts district.

Baes

The first thing I noticed walking through the front door of Baes was the tropical wallpaper with pineapples. Plants, elegant mirrors, and natural light fill the space.These features would make any Portlander perk up on a rainy day. Large jars of pickled cucumbers and green beans fill the shelves, serving as a reminder that Baes appreciates quality ingredients in their food.

At Baes, you can have your fried chicken three ways: traditional, hot, or honey butter. Salads, mac and cheese, waffle fries, biscuits, sandwiches and slushies are also available. My husband, daughter and I sit down. We order waffle fries and chicken sandwiches.

The smell of the waffle fries brings back memories of the county fair. They are delicious, crispy and pair well with Bae’s custom hot sauce. The chicken is tender and juicy with very flavorful housemade pickles. Open 7 days a week, Baes also offers a brunch menu.

Kinnamons’ welcoming outdoor seating, photo by Roxanne Rezinas

Kinnamons

Kinnamons has a very clean, open feel with lots of space to eat indoors or out. It has a delightful selection of cinnamon rolls in flavors such as maple bacon, raspberry pistachio, coconut key lime pie and of course, the simple classic cream cheese. What you won’t find online is their soft serve menu with flavors that mirror their cinnamon rolls. If you aren’t craving something sweet, Kinnamons has a selection of drinks including cold brew coffee, kombucha on tap and Steven Smith teas.

At the front counter, we order a raspberry pistachio cinnamon roll and when it arrives the first thing I notice is the size of the raspberries: they’re huge! It’s a great pairing that’s light and airy. Being fans of raspberry, we also try the soft serve raspberry chocolate combo. I love the crunch of the chocolate pearls and discovering the hidden hot fudge at the base of the ice cream.

Boxer

Crave ramen on a cold or hot day? Boxer is your answer! Boxer offers a number of plates such as classics like chicken karaage as well as bowls and potstickers. Their ramen bowls include spicy red miso with pork belly and vegetable curry. They have a number of cocktails on hand and saké by the glass and by the bottle.

Ramen is such a comfort food and being a meat eater, I enjoy Tonkotsu Shio with the pork belly. The broth has a nice savory flavor and pairs well with the noodles. The delicate, yet delicious poached sliced egg with a bold yellow yolk complete the dish.

Be sure to check out the delicious food at Alberta Alley. I encourage you to order in and enjoy the open environment, indoors and outside.

Nedra Rezinas lives near U of O in Concordia. She does marketing strategy for small businesses, is a mom, drinks tea, is a birder, and is passionate to build community.