Category Archives: Local Businesses

By Ryan O’Connor

The owners of a Concordia neighborhood flower shop on Alberta Street know black lives matter. An artistic, handmade sign on the front door of their shop says so.

Beneath the words, “black lives matter,” Elie Wiesel is quoted. “Whenever & wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation, take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”

When news broke of the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, two black men killed by police in Louisiana and Minnesota, respectively, shop owners Mary Anne Huseby, Pat Hutchins and Lily Hutchins said they were devastated.

They believe they have the privilege of not worrying about how their white skin might affect their interactions with police and others in authority. They agreed they could not remain silent.

Lily proposed making the black lives matter sign, and Pat suggested adding the Holocaust survivor’s quote. Lily said she worried briefly the sign might cut down on walk-in traffic.

“But we all feel really empowered by stating our beliefs so clearly on the front door,” she explained. Overall, reactions from neighbors and customers have been positive.

Customers and passers-by have taken notice. John Middleton, a Concordia resident and longtime customer who is black explained, “The sign shows that ignoring and keeping a silent voice through all oppression is not OK.”

John started doing business with Flowers in Flight for the quality of the artistry. He believes some people have negative reactions to the sign, and that Flowers in Flight’s decision to retain the sign despite possible negative reactions means to him the owners care about people of color.

Mary Anne and Pat are sisters who have lived in northeast Portland for about 30 years, and started their business in 1984. Lily is Pat’s daughter, who joined them at work in 2012.

They have a racially diverse family, so they are aware of the issues facing people of color in Portland. Concordia’s history of diversity and the challenges presented by gentrification propelled them to post their sign.

Although the women did not post the sign to increase business, John reported he takes note of any store that posts one.

“I try to find a reason to go into to that business,” he said. “It has a huge influence on where I go, and it makes me feel better about the people who go to that business.”

Ryan O’Connor moved to Portland for college in 1997, and he and his family moved to the Concordia neighborhood a year ago. Most weekends, you can find them playing in Fernhill Park or walking to one of Concordia’s many excellent coffee shops or restaurants.

By Susan Trabucco, CNA Media Team

Urban farming is alive and well in NE Portland, and Cully resident Ted Snider’s new entrepreneurial pursuit aims to meet the needs of those who dig, plant, weed, feed and fertilize to grow food for their families, or those who grow and harvest to supply fresh produce to local farmers markets.

Snider recently opened Cully Farm Store from a shipping container that shares parking lot space with Roses Ice Cream on NE 42nd Avenue. From that small space, and additional canopied space behind Roses, Snider purveys used but reconditioned garden tools, supplies to satisfy chickens and their tenders; and organic soil amendments. Additionally, farmers from the surrounding neighborhoods provide vegetable starts for sale; Cully Farm Store offers these farmers an expanded market and ideally more sales.

“Cully Farm Store acts as a collaborative neighborhood outlet,” said Snider, who has farmed in Cully for nearly 10 years. Snider was inspired to launch his micro-store out of a desire to help people in their efforts to grow their own food.

“I want to provide the plants, feeds, and other items necessary to support and increase food growth in the neighborhood,” he said.

Snider said the Cully area was historically a food-growing area.

“There used to be two canneries in Cully,” said Snider. People would bring their extra corn or tomatoes to a cannery one day, and pick it up to pack it home the next day.”

As a provider of goods to urban farmers, Snider caters to those who choose not to drive or do not have a vehicle, packaging products in small quantities to allow shoppers on bicycles to carry items home easily.

“I’ve had customer walk their wheelbarrows over here and then wheel their goods back home,” he said.

Snider seems to have found his calling. He attended Reed College for a year out of high school, but found the idea of desk job to be unattractive, so he discontinued his formal education.

“I wanted to work with my hands,” Snider said with a smile.

Find Snider manning his post at the Cully Farm Store at 5011 NE 42nd Ave. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. To enter the shop, walk between Roses and the container that serves as the store, or enter via the Roses parking lot. For more information email cullyfarmstore@gmail.com or call Snider’s personal phone (503) 729-3508. A website, www.cullyfarmstore.com, is in the works.