Category Archives: Local Businesses

By Nancy Varekamp | CNews Editor

COVID-19 changed many plans. But it hasn’t changed the enthusiasm of businesses and other organizations on Alberta Street this summer.

“I figured it would be a slow summer,” reported Ann Griffin, Alberta Main Street executive director. “Instead, it’s turned into a crazy, busy, fun one. We’re calling it ‘The Summer of Alberta.’”

Stores, galleries and restaurants have pulled together to keep the community entertained and engaged.

For instance, Last Thursdays can’t call for street closures this summer. So they’ve gone virtual. And they occur every Thursday in August.

“We celebrate the artists, galleries, musicians and other performers – online – all summer long,” Ann said. Virtual art lessons welcome students of all ages.

Also online are artist highlights, studio visits, gallery tours, show openings, artist interviews and, yes, sales.

“Our partnership is pulling off quite a feat,” she said. Involved are Sabin Community Development Corporation, Alberta Artworks, Blind Insect Gallery, artist Bobby Fourther and Alberta Main Street.

For people who stroll the sidewalks, Alberta Art Works continues to provide a map for DIY walking tours of the murals. Download it from AlbertaArtWorks.org/ art-map.

Bunny with a Toolbelt and Green Bean Books are offering an all-new map. This one helps you locate animals that appear in art along the street. Download the Tour of Animals Map, at BunnyWithAToolbelt.com/animal-art-tour or pick up one at either store at 1722 and 1600 N.E. Alberta Street.

Saturday, Aug. 8, was to be the traditional Alberta Street Fair that draws 26,000 diners, shoppers and audiences.

“This year, it’s ‘Alberta Street Fair in the Air,’” Ann explained. “We’ll livestream two performances from Alberta Rose Theatre. The auditorium seats will be empty, but the audience can stream on any device anywhere.”

Check AlbertaMainSt.org/signatureevents/street-fair-in-the-air-2020 for additional plans and sponsors.

Finally, business owners are finding ways to move some of their activities outside their brick-and-mortar venues to increase social distancing. There may be single- or multi-block plazas before the end of summer. Those would close affected blocks of Alberta Street to vehicle traffic so businesses can make use of the space.

A few have already received city approval to use the parking spaces at their curbs to form Street Seats.

Alberta Main Street’s own Street Seats space at 1722 N.E. Alberta St. is available through the end of September to businesses owned by people of color. Call Ann at 971.275.6240 to inquire.

Nancy Varekamp is semiretired from her career in journalism, public relations and – her favorite work engagement – writing and editing targeted newsletters.

By Nancy Varekamp | CNews Editor

Businesses on 30th Avenue, one block each side of Killingsworth Street, plan to take their businesses to the street in August.

The north block received a permit from the city to close the avenue to vehicles through Nov. 1.

Wilder Bar|Café’s target date was July 22 for reopening outside only. Among other businesses in that block planning to share the plaza are DOC food + wine, Nonna Tavern and the new Biga Pizza.

A plaza on the south block offers the challenge to reroute TriMet’s Line 72. Meantime, some businesses on the south side may participate in Street Seats to conduct more socially-distant business in the parking spaces in front of their buildings.

“The restaurants want the space to serve food and have a place for people to eat it outdoors,” explained Daniele Strawmyre. She expects half a dozen other businesses will join the move of her Ready Set Grow onto the asphalt.

“My own interest is to create arts programming, with pop-up arts events in my building and outside,” Daniele said.

She had planned to incorporate art next year into her business with its classes for prenatal and postpartum parents. With classes now online due to COVID-19 and herself pregnant, Daniele is accelerating the schedule.

Together, businesses on the blocks are planning to feature singers, performance artists, artists in general, a street mural and have a dedicated community space.

“After all, community is what keeps us all together,” explained Ben Preacher, Wilder co-owner. His was expected to be the first business to open on the north plaza.

“It has been a very depressing several months for everyone,” Ben added. Serving customers outdoors to reopen protects the safety of customers and employees alike.

“This adds a little bit of community in the midst of this terrible pandemic.

“We hope the plaza provides an opportunity to wave to your neighbors, eat outside together and enjoy the ambiance – all at a distance.”

Nancy Varekamp is semiretired from her career in journalism, public relations and – her favorite work engagement – writing and editing targeted newsletters.

By Garlynn Woodsong | CNA Board Member, SW1 CNA LUTC Chair

Several Alberta Street businesses are banding together to create temporary, block-long or multiblock plazas by participating in the Safe Streets Healthy Businesses program.

In partnership with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), the Alberta Street Plazas project is a response to the pandemic. The idea is – for the foreseeable future, and until a vaccine is widely available for COVID-19 – people will continue to need to practice social distancing while in public. Doing so simply requires more physical room.

Further, virus transmission is more likely indoors than outdoors, so customers may feel more comfortable sitting down for a meal or shopping outside than inside.

Local restaurants and retailers are currently struggling through the worst economic recession anybody currently running a business has seen in their lifetime.

There does not appear to be a light at the end of the tunnel yet. So, by learning ways to adapt, businesses can remain solvent during these trying times. That is the first order of business. And that’s not just for those running the businesses, but everyone in this community who loves living in a neighborhood where restaurants and shops are within a short walk of home. Businesses may apply for permits to operate in the public right of way through October, thereby giving their customers and their employees more room to social distance safely. They may request the temporary closure of a parking space, a side-street or – in some cases – a full city block.

Businesses whose owners want to request a multiple-block closure are required to work with each other and agree to basic upkeep issues, including meeting county and state health requirements. Alberta Main Street hosted a June 11 information session on the opportunity and is working with PBOT to inform business owners about their options.

It is quite likely the Alberta Street Plazas may not just be a nice idea. Concepts like this may prove to be absolutely essential to allowing neighborhood restaurants and retailers to remain in business.

Car and bus traffic that currently uses Alberta Street would be re-routed to Killingsworth Street to avoid the promenade. No problems are expected from this, as Alberta Street ends at 33rd Avenue anyway and thus does not serve as a critical through-route for traffic.

Indeed, during Last Thursday and the Alberta Street Fair, traffic is already routed to Killingsworth for the duration of each event. No issues have been observed to date.

A PBOT-led project proposed elsewhere in the city could create temporary promenades for the commercial districts on southeast and northeast 28th Avenue, the heart of the commercial district on southeast Belmont, northwest 23rd Avenue, southeast Hawthorne Street and a plaza for southeast Clinton at 26th Avenue.

All of these proposals have similar goals: to help support local businesses by providing sufficient space for outdoor seating and retailing that meets social distancing guidelines.

For updates on Alberta Street Plazas, visit AlbertaMainStreet.org.

Garlynn Woodsong lives on 29th Avenue, serves on the CNA board and is an avid bicyclist. He also is a dad who is passionate about the city his son will inherit. He is the planning + development partner with Cascadia Partners LLC, a local urban planning firm. Contact him at LandUse@ConcordiaPDX.org.

By Nancy Varekamp | CNews Editor

When Tanya Hartnett launched her business plan in January to create and market body care products, she expected customers to appreciate the convenience of free home delivery. Little did she realize a pandemic would make it so practical.

Moreover, Tanya delivers by bicycle as part of her earth-friendly business that serves northeast, north and some southeast neighborhoods.

Circumventing fossil fuels for shipping is just part of the sustainability that’s the foundation of Clean Body Care. Only natural and organic ingredients – most vegan and sourced locally – go into the recipes she’s developed in her kitchen.

Don’t worry about animal testing. Everything has been tried out by Tanya, her husband and their two teenagers. Further, there’s no packaging involved for the bar shampoo, soap, deodorant and lotion.

Bars?

“When the deodorant and lotion touches you, it melts onto your skin,” she explained. “You’re not using excess.” One lotion alternative comes in a returnable/ refillable jar for a one-time nominal fee.

“Customers leave a container on their porch, I deposit their purchases, and there’s zero waste,” she explained. Payments are accepted online, or at the door. Specific products, prices and contact information are at CleanBodyCare4u. wixsite.com/website.

Tanya likens her business to a community supported agriculture (CSA), since customers can request regular deliveries.

“Unlike a CSA, though, you get only what you want to use,” she pointed out. “With a CSA, you might get 15 beets, whether you want them or not. The idea here is no waste.”

The native Oregonian and 15-year northeast Portlander learned to embrace sustainability as the youngest of nine children born to parents raised during the Great Depression. “Nothing was ever thrown away,” Tanya reported.

“I wear only natural fibers, sew all my own clothes, bake everything I can, and I avoid packaging.”

Working in the fashion industry most of her career, Tanya heard a lot of talk about respecting the environment. “But there’s a lot of smoke and mirrors about that kind of stuff.”

After learning a couple of years ago that 552 million plastic shampoo bottles go in the landfills every year, she Googled instructions to make a shampoo bar that can be used on the entire body. That was the beginning of many more recipes and experiments.

And Tanya hopes her business is the beginning of an additional form of community involvement here, like a local environmental club or even a homegrown produce sharing group.

Nancy Varekamp is semiretired from her career in journalism, public relations and – her favorite work engagement – writing and editing targeted newsletters.

By Sharon Kelly | CNA Media Team

The bookshop in the little red house at 1600 N.E. Alberta St. is finding new ways to stay in business during Oregon’s COVID-19 “stay home, save lives” order by offering online sales, delivery and pick up.

Green Bean Books – which its website calls “a wild and whimsical community-based, independent children’s bookstore” – celebrated its 10th anniversary recently as a traditional, brick and mortar bookstore.

Customers enjoyed perusing the shelves and colorful displays for the latest award-winning books and unique gifts for human “beans” from babies to grown-ups. But owners Jennifer Green and Maggie Yuan are not the type to sit behind the counter.

Since opening, they’ve shared their love of books and community with a calendar chock-full of fun book-related experiences and events.

On a typical, pre-COVID-19 week at Green Bean, you’d find multiple read-aloud story times, author events, sing-a-longs, monthly opportunities for new readers to read to Buddy the therapy dog, and crafts and puppetry, sometimes with unicorn or dragon themes.

When Portlanders began staying home in March, Green Bean’s regular activities came to a halt. Jennifer and Maggie were faced with either closing the doors or finding innovative ways of connecting with customers.

“We’re working about five times harder per sale, but we have so many kind and encouraging customers,” shared owner Jennifer Green.

First they offered customers online ordering and shipping for audio and traditional books through GreenBeanBooksPDX.com. Now, customers may also call 503. 954.2354 or email Info@GreenBeanBookspdx.com for delivery within two miles – it’s free with a nominal minimum purchase. Like many other stores on Alberta Street, curbside or no-contact-pick-up from the porch is also offered.

Green Bean Books has been able to continue to employ two staff members to help with orders and deliveries. They’re available 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. to place your order or ask for book or toy recommendations. As always, they can special order almost any book, for any age, or mail a gift certificate. They’ll even wrap your gift and deliver it to your friend’s or loved one’s porch.

Not long after the “stay home, save lives” order, they resumed their events schedule, now online, including virtual story-times, author activities and drawing classes. Check Facebook.com/pg/greenbeanbooks/events or follow @GreenBeanBooks for details.

“We feel lucky that the community loves books and loves to read,” Jennifer said, as she recounted customers calling to thank her for being open and bringing flowers.

One even created a chalk sign for outside the door, artfully inscribed, “We love Green Bean Books!”

Green Bean fosters numerous partnerships throughout the year, including bringing books to life onstage with Oregon Children’s Theater, and creating fun, interactive bookraisers for the Rigler School Library and the Children’s Book Bank.

If you’re looking for ways to support local families less fortunate during the COVID-19 crisis, call Green Bean Books and ask about purchasing a book bundle to donate to the Children’s Book Bank. Store employees will deliver your bundle to the book bank to be distributed to children in need in the Portland area.

Generally at this time of year, Green Bean is also busy coordinating spring school visits with author and illustrator presentations at numerous area schools. “School closures will account for a large amount of lost revenue in book pre-orders and sales from those visits.” Jennifer reported.

She looks forward to reopening the store soon so customers can enjoy the big, sunny, flower-filled garden and deck; explore the magical umbrella tree; peruse the theme sections like earth science, bedtime, poetry or fairy/princess; sign up for summer cartoon camp; and/or curl up with a book and a friend on the comfy green couch.

Sharon Kelly uses her outreach and coordination skills to support trees, farmers, small businesses and engage her neighbors and all of Portland to create more healthy, equitable, sustainable communities. A farmer at heart, she’s happiest in her wild gardens with towering herbs. She’s best known locally as market manager for Cully and Woodlawn farmers markets and as web manager for Trees for Life Oregon. Contact her at NaturalFarmerPDX@gmail.com

By Keith Daellenbach | CNA Media Team

Have you wondered about the name of Cat Six Cycles, 4831 N.E 42nd Ave.? It stems from the five categories of bike racing from semi-pro to beginners. “Cat 6,” short for “Category 6,” is a tongue-in-cheek reference to bicycle commuters riding their own competitive race.

Kirk Bernhardt and Tim Wesolowski operate their own race, a full-service bike store. Steve, the gray and appropriate sixtoed cat, is the store mascot in charge of morale. “Steve’s number one trait would be curiosity mixed with an utter dedication to the art of sleeping,” Kirk reported.

Cat Six is an accessible shop. “Bike shops can be funny places and unfortunately they can be intimidating for lots of different folks,” Tim said. “We really strive to not be that shop and provide our absolute best to everyone who comes through the door.”

Cat Six can fix a dilapidated jalopy of a bike for a reasonable price, or it can tune up an expensive racer.

Tim and Kirk sell a variety of proven bicycles that are especially helpful for new bikers. “We’re very hands-on in our test ride process, trying to make absolutely certain that our customers get just the right bikes,” Tim pointed out. They dial in the fit.

On a September night last year, shortly after Kirk and Tim celebrated the store’s fifth anniversary, a car crashed into the shop.

“Thankfully, no one got hurt but there was major structural damage,” Tim explained. He and Kirk soldiered on with a temporary storefront, and the store remained open.

The construction repair was completed in February before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Open hours were temporarily paused in mid-March to promote social distancing, and gift certificates were available online.

When the “stay home, save lives” order was issued, bicycling was recognized for its noncontact and social distancing. So Cat Six began a modified opening for people to drop by, purchase needed equipment and leave bikes for repairs.

Check with the store – 503.282.1178 or CatSixCycles.com – for its current open hours.

During the autumn and winter, DIY “Neighborhood Nights” are hosted at Cat Six on many Thursday evenings. Kirk and Tim provide helpful advice and generous use of specialty bike tools for personal bike repair.

They charge for parts, but not their time. Although snacks and libations are not required, they are appreciated. In fact, Kirk is known to enjoy a Tecate occasionally.

Those evenings offer an opportunity to get to know your bike better, learn some skills and have fun with Tim, Kirk and Steve.

Editor’s note: Keith has more to tell about Cat Six than fits in the limited space of a CNews story. For “the rest of the story,” visit ConcordiaPDX.org/CatSix.

Keith Daellenbach is a mechanical engineer and outdoor enthusiast who loves mountain climbing, biking and canoeing with wife Amy, and teenage son Micah. An annual summer solstice rite of passage is to bike up Larch Mountain from his home in Concordia.

By Maquette Reeverts | Alberta Art Works

When Portland Flower Market suppliers realized in March that they had to close their doors due to COVID-19 – and that their stock was to be thrown away – Jocelyn Kehrle with Mayesh Wholesale Florist rallied the troops and came up with a much better idea.

The idea? Give the flowers to local floral designers who, in turn, would “flower bomb” the city.

The repurposing of the flowers and greenery honored the hard work of the farmers and workers who planted, cared for and harvested the flora. Instead of being composted, the flowers became a love letter to the city.

Kaitland Menasco, owner and designer of Royal Blooms and a neighbor, designed Alberta Street’s flower bomb and created her arrangement on the northeast corner of its intersection with 21st Avenue.

Her design grew from the corner, disguising the chain link fence surrounding the vacant lot of Volkswagens being repaired.

“I chose that spot because of the mural in the background that reads ‘keep your chin up,’” Kaitland said. “I thought it was a powerful statement, especially now.”

She designed her arrangement organically, allowing the design to ebb and flow like water to symbolize the ebb and flow of the current situation. She wanted to contribute to her community by creating this temporary spot to literally stop and smell the roses.

The project was called #FlowerTourPDX and, with a downloadable map, everyone was invited to take a drive-by tour of the various creations.

But for those on their daily outings who didn’t know the grand plan, there was unexpected color and beauty they welcomed during a strange and stressful time.

Michel Reeverts, aka Maquette, holds a master of arts degree in art education, serves Alberta Art Works as director and Alberta Street Gallery as a board member. She is also a practicing artist. Contact her at Maquette@AlbertaArtWorks.org

By Nancy Varekamp | CNews Editor

According to Katie Ugolini, raising funds for a valuable community resource can be as easy as enjoying a meal in a local restaurant Thursday, April 30.

That’s the concept behind Dining Out for Life, and it’s what you’ll find her doing that evening.

She and husband Chris Lopez serve as ambassadors each year at a participating restaurant. They invite friends and acquaintances to join them, greet diners and generally spread the word about Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon’s HIV Day Center in Concordia.

Check Facebook.com/groups/ConcordiaPDX the week beginning April 23 for a list of local participating restaurants.

The restaurants donate 20-35% of each diner’s bill to Dining Out for Life to support that day center and the OHSU Partnership Project. The organizations provide vital programs and services to area residents living with HIV.

Supporting the day center isn’t on Katie’s calendar just one evening a year. For about 10 years, she’s been a Friday breakfast volunteer. She arrives in time to take orders, serve the meals and more.

“Just washing dishes make me feel like I’m doing something. It’s often my favorite day of the week,” she explained. “It’s important to give back to people who have been marginalized and to ensure they are seen and heard.

“I think the stigma of AIDS and HIV still keep people from seeking services,” she added. “Here people are respected and feel safe. And they’re so supportive of each other.”

Volunteering and fundraising is nothing new for the former CNA chair, board member, social committee chair and still active participant. She became aware of the day center when fellow CNA veteran George Bruender invited her to an annual AIDS Day breakfast at Concordia University.

The center’s clients spoke about what the center means to them.

“It definitely moved me,” Katie said. “It’s such an open, welcoming community for people.”

The HIV Day center opened 30 years ago. It’s the oldest free-standing, multi-service, drop-in center for lowincome people living with HIV/AIDS in the country, according to Katie. (See the related CNews article.)

Among the myriad services offered is foot care, currently provided by Concordia University nursing students. “Some remain as volunteers,” Katie said.

Her day job is as a psychologist, so Katie is accustomed to hearing people’s stories. At the day center, she is a friend and volunteer.

“The clients are very inspiring,” she pointed out. “I feel so grateful to meet them and so honored to hear their stories.”

Nancy Varekamp is semiretired from her career in journalism, public relations and – her favorite work engagement – writing and editing targeted newsletters.

What’s in a name?

Laura Amiton chose The Filling Station for the name of her 2001 N.E. Alberta St. pet store, “to emphasize our ability to fill the needs of pets and their owners for nutritious and healthful food and treats.”

The pet supply store has been true to that mission for 15 years, and she hopes to continue to serve the community for years to come. Laura remembers in the very beginning her first location on Alberta was surrounded by empty lots and store fronts.

Growing with the neighborhood has been a source of pride. She values the sense of community, and it is evident in the number of her patrons, including four-legged ones.

Employee Yolin May estimated about 40-60 dogs a day visit the store along with their owners. They come for the treats and attention from the staff. Yolin said there are some interesting pet visitors, listing a hedgehog and a pig that did tricks.

The store’s tag line, “Feed the love” is apparent in the array of dietary options for a variety of special-needs nutrition related to skin allergies, grain sensitivities and digestive health.

All the employees are knowledgeable about the products stored on the shelves and can provide resources for most questions concerning the family pet.

“We work closely with local vets and recognize that natural products are most pet owners’ choice,” Laura explained. “I believe good nutrition is the secret to a pet’s long and active life.”

Anna Ilchak, purchasing manager, added, “We get really attached to our pet visitors. We know most of their names and their favorite treats. Many are on special diets related to diabetes, obesity and cancer, so checking in with them on their progress is rewarding.”

Healthy food and petting perks aren’t the only love being shared at the store. A variety of chew toys and activity-treat puzzles are also available.

Winter coats and rain gear for pup sizes miniature to extra-large are in stock, as well as leashes, collars, halters and a variety of devices to walk your pet comfortably and safely.

Laura stressed the local community is The Filling Station’s focus, so the store provides the best service she can and products she finds available to pet lovers in the store and online. And its merchandise is available for same-day delivery through TFSPets.com.

Kathy Crabtree lives near Fernhill Park and enjoys the constant flow of dogs happily on their way to romp off leash. In real life she is a nursing professor. In her dreams she is the creator of a series of mystery adventures of a retired female lawyer/judge of a certain age – to be named at a latter date. Contact her at KCrabtree4320@att.net.