Category Archives: Local Businesses

By Marsha Sandman | CNA Media Team

You will never be bored again after a visit to collage on Alberta Street.

A sea of color greets customers at the door. Enter to find myriad supplies for the painter, print maker, rubber stamper, journaler, textile artist, book maker, etc. There is a wide array of how-to-books, children’s arts and craft supplies, stationery, greeting cards, rubber stamps, decorative paper and so much more.

It is an inspirational, fun, exciting, vibrant, and a totally happy place – much like its owner, Maria Raleigh, a warm and delightful curator of everything creative.

Fifteen years ago collage opened on Alberta Street with one store. That store has doubled in size and collage now has two additional locations in southeast Portland. A gift store a few doors west on Alberta Street, known as the collage annex, has curated collectibles, handcrafted items, games and unique treasures.

Maria had a long history in retail sales and management experience when the idea for collage started brewing while she was home raising her two young sons.

She recognized a need, found a space and started filling it with everything for the crafter, artist and young crafter. She now employs 35 people in her four stores, and they are warm, friendly, accommodating and knowledgeable.

collage stocks more than 60,000 items from 400 vendors. The inventory is customer driven and the staff tries to fulfill customers’ special requests. Maria’s goal is to supply as much as possible to her diverse clientele while still being organized.

Maria explained the store’s name. “A collage is taking a little bit of everything and making it work.”

Her stores host free crafts nights at nearby Atlas Pizza locations in their neighborhoods. In addition, Maria uses crafting for team building. Among the clientele she has worked with are Nike and Intel, and collage has provided craft tables at Concordia Neighborhood Association events.

“With three supply store locations and one gift shop, collage is so much more than just a local art and craft supply store,” Maria pointed out. She is a joyful presence in the neighborhood, and she is committed to building community.

Her website at collagepdx.com is jam-packed with stimulating crafting details on varied subjects. It includes a calendar of events, store locations and hours.

Maria is currently in the process of creating an online store. But she still welcomes your visits to collage at 1639 N.E. Alberta St. and your calls to 503.249.2190.

After living east, south, north and west, Marsha Sandman is home at last. And she wants to hear your story. Contact her at MarshaJSandman@gmail.com.

By Dan Werle | CNA Media Team

Mike and Brian McMenamin grew up in neighboring Alameda, attended The Madeleine School in Irvington and Jesuit High School in Beaverton before graduating from Oregon State University with degrees in political science.

Since then, they have helped establish or re-invigorate more than 55 pubs, restaurants, hotels and concert venues throughout Oregon and Washington – including the iconic Kennedy School in Concordia.

During their Alameda days, their mom, Pat, stayed home taking care of them and sisters Maureen and Nancy. Their dad, Robert, was an attorney, and he wrote a column for The Oregonian. As kids, their parents and grandparents exposed them to a variety of music, art and history.

Mike, the elder of the two, won a football scholarship but, in his second year, left the football program and began working at Togo’s sandwich shop. There he enjoyed the work better than football.

In 1974, Mike purchased Produce Row Café on southeast Oak Street and their dad purchased the building. Brian later worked at Produce Row before 1978 when they sold it to the employees. In 1983, The Barley Mill on Southeast Hawthorne Street opened its doors and became the brothers’ first joint venture.

Since then, the business has expanded to include such popular venues as the Crystal Ballroom downtown, Edgefield in Troutdale and, of course, Kennedy School.

Students had begun attending classes there in a one-room building in 1913. Two years later the full school opened and, in 1975, the building was shuttered due to decreasing student enrollment and a crumbling infrastructure.

Thanks to former students, local community members and the Portland Development Commission (now Prosper Portland), the building was spared the wrecking ball.

In 1980 Portland Public Schools abandoned the building, and it remained vacant until 1995 when Mike and Brian proposed renovation. The original bell of the school principal rang Oct. 22, 1997, at 7 a.m. to mark McMenamins Kennedy School’s first day “in session.”

Four of the brothers’ children are involved in McMenamins Inc., and Mike’s 12-year-old granddaughter is already providing advice for potential future pursuits.

Brian admits he and Mike began buying and restoring old taverns because, “They were cheap to start out with.” Both confess a penchant for older, high-quality structures, and they enjoy sharing information with the communities in which their businesses operate.

“We like to leave the property in better shape than we found it,” Mike explained.

Brian agreed, “We like to try to do the right thing and hopefully become a positive force in the community.”

Dan Werle lives in Concordia with his wife, Anna, and their dogs.

By Carrie Wenninger | CNA Media Team

Couple Trae and Sarah Pearson have a playful, long-standing habit of bantering around small business ideas. They came up with the concept for KISS Coffee three years ago.

However, when Trae’s mother brought to their attention the businessfor-sale listing she had seen online, the conversation shifted quickly from dream to possibility. On June 9, the cafe door at 3016 N.E. Ainsworth St. opened and KISS Coffee became a reality.

This tiny yet inviting retail space was formerly the Cottage Pantry, and had previous incarnations as a massage studio, a flower shop and another coffee shop.

Executive chef and sous chef respectively, Trae and Sarah worked together previously at Westwind, a nonprofit camp for kids on the Oregon coast.

There they enjoyed the challenge of crafting the ingredients on hand into innovative and delicious fare while using seasonal variety and avoiding waste.

They bring the same philosophy and creativity to their coffee business.

For those deeply involved in a relationship with caffeine, the name conjures up warm, desirous feelings for that dark and brewing elixir.

Turns out it’s less about romance and more about straight-up good stuff without the fuss.

“KISS, the way we’ve envisioned it, stands for ‘keep it sweet and simple,’” Trae said. “You start with a solid base, which means using good beans. We source ours from Seven Virtues, another small, local business.

“Then offer simple but interesting food options.”

Their flavoring syrups are made from scratch, and there are plans for a small kitchen. “We’d like to have grab-n-go salads, standard and reliable options, and a few seasonal and rotating items to keep things engaging,” Sarah added.

Both have years of coffee industry experience, and Sarah also works as office manager at Icicle Tricycles.

Their home brewing method of choice? “French press,” they said in perfect unison.

Opening at 7:30 a.m. weekdays has brought in early rising Concordia University students. And neighbors have been welcoming, enjoying outdoor cafe tables when weather allows since there’s no indoor seating option. Hours are 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. weekends.

“The connections that coffee makes are a big part of the enjoyment for us,” Sarah shared. “We are very excited to become part of the community and to be good neighbors.”

KISS Coffee hosts a Concordia Neighborhood Association mixer Sept. 21, but you’re welcome to stop by sooner to sample the sweet and simple selections.

Carrie Wenninger lives on 29th Avenue in Concordia. She is a freelance writer, a mom, a world traveler and a small business marketing consultant. Contact her at WurdGurl@gmail.com.

By Carrie Wenninger | CNA Media Team

Petite and dark haired with a quick, warm smile, Felicia Howe perched like a wood sprite in a chair in her studio, Primrose Organics Apothecary.

She sipped raspberry leaf and nettle tea from a vintage floral teacup with one hand while the other danced emphatically in the air and gestured toward a busy looking workbench and wall shelving full of mysterious, amber colored, liquid-filled bottles.

Her cozy healing suite in the Alberta Studios building at 1627 N.E. Alberta St., No. 4, opened in June.

“The opportunity presented itself and I just threw myself into the space. It’s slowly revealing to me how I’m going to work here. It’s an evolving process!” she laughed.

A self-described botanical counselor, Felicia deals in the subtle art of flower essence energy medicine. It’s a vocation that, although somewhat hard to explain, seems perfectly at home here in Portland, the City of Roses.

Flower essences, as she described them, can encapsulate the experience of being in nature in much the same way a day at the beach or hiking in the woods can leave you feeling deeply nourished, grounded and peaceful.

Taking the tinctures by mouth – neat or diluted in water – can offer assistance to those undergoing life transitions and can also address feelings of stress and anxiety in a supportive way.

“It’s not herbalism, and it’s not aromatherapy. Flower essences don’t have a scent,” she explained. “They’re liquid extracts that work in a way that’s similar to acupuncture, along the lines of the body’s meridians, on an energetic and vibrational level, to support emotional well-being and mind-body balance.

“I also love that it’s an environmentally-friendly, non-invasive modality. A single flower can infuse a large quantity of water; whereas, a drop of essential oil takes a considerable amount of plant matter to produce.”

An artist, empath and intuitive alchemist, Felicia’s background also includes experience as a stylist, life coach, Reiki practitioner, herbalist and aromatherapist.

“You don’t have to completely understand it to experience it, but you do have to be open and curious,” she pointed out. “There’s an intentional aspect that’s essential to working with flower essences, and it’s a wonderfully effective and gentle way to engage in self-care.”

Primrose Organics Apothecary is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, by appointment only. Call 971.258.8022 to schedule a consultation, or visit FeliciaHowe.com for more information.

Primrose Organics Apothecary

Carrie Wenninger lives on 29th Avenue in Concordia. She is a freelance writer, a mom, a world traveler and a small business marketing consultant. Contact her at WurdGurl@gmail.com.

By Marsha Sandman | CNA Media Team

Welcome to parenthood… then get ready for the ride of your life. There will be so many questions and challenges but mostly pure joy.

Erica Matteson, Milagros Boutique owner, has created a cozy little spot where Concordia parents can find answers, help, connections and some of those cute little baby necessities.

The store celebrated its 15th anniversary recently. Erica, who has been a birth and postpartum doula for 20 years, purchased the store from the original owner about six years ago.

She recognized the necessity to make changes due to internet competition, so the retail portion of the store was downsized to add more services. Milagros Boutique now includes support groups, classes, new parent education and personal services.

“My desire with Milagros is to provide families in our community a customizable launching ground,” Erica said. “My goal is to walk alongside each family, one on one, on how they come to the information. It is easy to blaze your own trail if you are connected to others who are also learning.”

Erica’s goal is to include her store as a community service. Milagros invites parents with newborns to a welcoming daily retreat from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. where they can relax, connect to other parents and get support.

She said she got a little teary eyed recently when five parents showed up for the daily group gathering.

Milagros stocks infant carriers, cloth diapers, breastfeeding supplies and locally-made artisan items. “These items connect to the classes taught by either our staff or providers in our local area,” Erica explained.

“Our goal is to have items on hand that lessen that overwhelmed feeling that new parents have when walking into a large baby store. In carriers, we want everyone safe and comfortable. Our cloth diaper rental kits allow families to find a system that works for them and fits the budget.

Newborn feeding takes care and time to become “easy,” and sometimes having that one little product makes the difference.

Milagros offers baby photography, group sessions and individual customizable consultations by appointment through MilagrosBoutique.com.

Erica invites parents to visit Milagros Boutique for a quiet moment from the festivities Sunday, Sept. 8, at the 3-9 p.m. block party on 30th Avenue.

Milagros Boutique is at 5429 N.E. 30th Ave., and the phone number is 503.493.4141. Information about classes, workshops and happenings are on the store’s website.

Milagros Boutique

After living east, south, north and west, Marsha Sandman is home at last. And she wants to hear your story. Contact her at MarshaJSandman@gmail.com.

By Tamara Anne Fowler | CNA Media Team

Ready Set Grow (RSG) is a new movement, art, education and wellness studio dedicated to families.

Classes are offered for new parents, ones well past postpartum, for parents who didn’t give birth to their children and for kids, including those with sensory and learning differences.

Opened in February, RSG is the creative brainchild of Daniele Strawmyre, a professional dancer, choreographer, yoga instructor and installation artist.

After growing up in Philadelphia, she moved to Portland with partner Mike four years ago. The family – including children Colin and Donavyn, 6 and 3 respectively – purchased a home in north Portland.

Daniele created RSG as a program before she rented space for clients to come to her. After giving birth, she was shocked at how long it took to recover and feel strong again. She wanted to help other mothers recuperate in healthy, nurturing ways.

Those ways include yoga, dance and Pilates-based classes, including some fun ones for parents like “Ballet & Babies,” “Ma-ma Modern Dance,” and “Core Baby Bounce.”

Not only are there movement classes, there are educational series for parents as well as childbirth education, baby sign language and baby sleep classes. For class lists, schedules and events, visit AndReadySetGrow.com or call Danielle at 503.505.6989.

Often, in other schools’ classes, once the child reaches a certain age or ability, it’s difficult to find anything for the parents with kids still present or allowed. RSG’s offerings include classes that are for parents of kids of all ages.

As for children’s classes, they range from “Kids Contemporary” to “StoryTime Ballet” and “Wild Force Kids Yoga” in this cozy space at 5433 N.E. 30th Ave. That’s next door to Milagros, one of RSG’s several collaborators in serving local young families. See the CNews story about Milagros’ 15th anniversary on Page 8.

Art events are also hosted at RSG. One is the art gathering from 6 to 8 p.m. the last Thursday of every month. That’s when the art on the walls is changed out.

“It’s really important for me to support artists as well as parents and families,” Daniele said.

In fact, she’s looking forward to the opportunity to host dance, theater and music events, and she would like to rent the space to dancers in need of rehearsal space.

Ready Set Grow

Tamara Anne Fowler is Edit Kitten, a writer with 20-plus years of experience offering a sof ter, gentler approach to editing and coaching. Her personal editors — Armani, Max Factor and Spicey’D — are also her cats. Visit her at EditKitten.com or contact her at Tamara@EditKitten. com.

By Steve Elder | CNA Media Team

Northeast 42nd Avenue is becoming a corridor for food and drink in the Concordia and Cully neighborhoods.

Oakshire Brewing is opening Oakshire Beer Hall, featuring a wide range of beverages, including as many as two dozen beers from its original Eugene location.

The beer hall is in the former location of Old Salt Marketplace at 5027 N.E. 42nd Avenue.

“Oakshire will be a neighborhood place with reasonably priced food and drink,” said Hanna Child, Oakshire retail operations director.

It will expand outside the original Old Salt to create a patio area for seating and food carts. There will be no pool table and just one television in the back room.

The kitchen will turn out fresh, savory and spicy Chamorro cuisine under the sure hand of Ed Sablan of Biba, founder of the PDX671 food cart.

Chamorro people are from the Mariana Islands. They took their delicious food to Guam, where it incorporated flavors from the Philippines, China, Japan and the Americas.

“People will increase their visits to taprooms and brewpubs, and will favor those providing the best combination of service, environment and high quality fresh beer,” said Jeff Althouse, Oakshire Brewing founder and CEO.

The beer hall will eventually have rotating food carts on the outdoor patio, in addition to the kitchen providing offerings directly to guests. The restaurateurs operating at Oakshire will use real plates, bowls and silverware, avoiding wasteful single-use service items.

The location also features a 500-square-foot space for pop-ups, seated private events, Oakshire beer dinners and tastings. The space will also be available to the food cart and kitchen operators to host their own dinners.

Oakshire plans to collaborate with the food cart partners for the beer dinners.

“The kitchen is really a work of art,” Hannah added. “It features a well-appointed back line that will be used to service the event space and serve as a commissary kitchen for the food carts.”

Dan Russo is Oakshire Brewing operations director. “In 2018 our brewing team released a dizzying number of beers under our Pilot and Vintage programs,” he said. “That’s 38 new beers in total, and nearly all out of our Public House in Eugene.

“Our Portland beer hall will pour draft wine, cider and kombucha, just as it does in Eugene.

Steve Elder, East2@ ConcordiaPDX.org, is an inactive lawyer, a developer, activist and old grouch.

By Nancy Varekamp | CNews Editor

There’s a second EcoVibe on Alberta Street. But don’t plan to shop for your wardrobe here, unless you’re in the market for garden togs. You’ll find some of the signature apparel pieces here, but you’ll discover so much more.

EcoVibe Home opened in June at 1906 N.E. Alberta St. It has the same owners and the same environmental, ethical, sustainable vibe, if you will, as EcoVibe Apparel.

Like that 2½-year-old store six blocks west, EcoVibe Home donates to nonprofit organizations that create positive environmental impact, and it stocks products that are environmentally conscious and ethically produced.

When Andrea “Dre” and Leonard “Len” Allen closed their flagship EcoVibe Apparel store on northwest 23rd Avenue at the end of 2018, they planned to concentrate on the Alberta Street apparel store, close to their home and the neighborhood where Len’s family has lived for generations.

But sometimes opportunities just arise,” Dre pointed out. They had mentioned to their Alberta Street landlord Brad Fowler that – because they’ve enjoyed their local retail experience – they’d like to someday expand that apparel store.

Brad said space was available in his new 1930 Alberta building. It wasn’t large enough for an expanded version of EcoVibe Apparel, but it appealed to the Allens.

The large corner windows and the greenery and animals of the mural on the west wall exterior made Dre think of a garden and home décor store.

She originally suggested that her sister and brother-in-law open a plant and home décor store there, similar to DIG Gardens, the store they operate in Santa Cruz, California.

“I don’t want to do that, but you should,” Dre’s sister replied.

The more the Portland couple thought about the idea, the closer it moved to possibility, then reality. Dre comes from a family of gardeners and has a background in botanical medicine.

“She’s my botanical queen,” Len declared.

The products are a different challenge, but not daunting, Dre said. “There’s dirt everywhere, and the pots are bulky and heavy. It’s not like just pulling clothes out of the box and putting them on hangers. “There is more involved, but we love it.”

Her sense of style also serves them well at the new store, according to Len. “The design, the décor here in the store – it all looks like what you’d see walking into our home.”

Len credits Dre’s talents for the new store’s success. “From the day I met her, she’s had an earthy side, and it just had to come out. Here she’s blossomed.

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

By Carrie Wenninger | CNA Media Team

Erin Katchuk, wearing a blackand-white polkadot dress with candy red buttons, her dark hair in pigtails, sits at the table nearest the door in the coffee shop formerly known as Motivasi.

She sips an Americano in the bright June sunshine and talks about art, coffee, cats, insomnia and the benefits of daily planners. In a word: life.

Employed at Motivasi since 2013, first as a barista then moving into managerial duties, Erin had been looking for a business to start in Portland. In January, opportunity came knocking. Loudly.

Motivasi owner Joshua Wilson had other projects to attend to and the coffee shop at 4502 N.E. 42nd Ave., he informed his three employees, would be closing.

With 15 years’ experience in the coffee biz, Erin smelled a freshly brewing beginning rather than a bittersweet ending, and consulted with Michael DeMarco of Our 42nd Avenue Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative. He helped her evaluate the business opportunity.

Things looked even more promising when she began talking to her regulars about becoming the shop’s new owner, and a longtime customer offered her a low-interest loan.

“Suddenly, doors were flying open, and it became something I couldn’t refuse,” she said. Jezebel’s Last Standing Merrygoround Café officially opened with Erin at the helm March 6.

If you’re curious about the name, there’s a story – as well as an ideology – to share. Jezebel was a dearly loved cat of Erin’s. Now deceased, her name lives on in her caretaker’s business. As for the merry-go-round, it’s an ode to the classic children’s playground ride, yes. But there’s more to it.

While living in Seattle, Erin noticed the city removing an entire merrygo-round of old spinning ponies and replacing it with modern, slanting and rotating rings that seemed difficult to balance on.

“Merry-go-rounds represent community to me,” she shared. “There’s artistic expression and beauty there. There’s balance and a sense of people helping each other out. One person steps up to give another person some time away, and the ride continues on…

“We want to reclaim the concept of the coffee shop as a place of community, a place for neighbors to get to know each other, learn from each other, support each other. We want to be a space where conversations about art and life happen.

“It’s less about making money and more about a present you give to the community.”

Your present – and your cuppa – await.

Carrie Wenninger lives on 29th Avenue in Concordia. She is a freelance writer, a mom, a world traveler and a small business marketing consultant. Contact her at WurdGurl@gmail.com.

By Vanessa Miali | CNA Media Team

Cycle, spin, roll or glide to the Community Cycling Center, 1700 N.E. Alberta St., and help celebrate its 25th anniversary this month.

Community Cycling Center’s decades of success was built on the vision of broadening access to bicycling and the benefits bicycling offers all people.

The nonprofit was founded by experienced bike mechanic and Concordian Brian Lacy. He wanted to teach children how to fix their own bikes to empower them and help them to teach others.

“Bicycling, recycling and volunteerism is a magical combination that has helped us earn 25 years of the public’s support,” said Kasandra Griffin, executive director. “We see bikes as a vehicle for empowerment and a tool for change.”

“We have been working and evolving to make biking more welcoming and affordable to diverse audiences,” she said. “We’re one of the longest standing businesses on Alberta Street.”

The center now receives more than 1,000 bike donations per year, has 500-plus volunteers repairing and recycling bicycles, and it hosts a yearly holiday bike drive.

Individuals and government supporters provide scholarships for eligible students in the cycling center’s summer bike camps.

Other programs include after-school bike clubs, bike safety training, and mechanics classes in science technology engineering and math – known as STEM in academic circles. Since 2012, the center also operates the HUB in north Portland, a free bike repair service open twice per week May-September.

The first Tuesday of every month a volunteer orientation is offered at the Alberta shop. No prior experience is necessary. Volunteers learn how to clean and refurbish children’s bikes to donate to families with low incomes.

“We have a great team of volunteers trained to assess the bikes for repair, and we recycle what can’t be used,” Kasandra said.

Each year the nonprofit recycles nearly 30,000 pounds of metal and 7,000 pounds of rubber while putting hundreds of useable bicycles back on the road.

In recent years, the center has focused on asking how it can serve the communities, according to Kasandra.

“What we found was that some people wanted help organizing self-directed groups, rides and activism while other community members wanted affordable bike repair and safe bike storage outside of their apartments. “We have tried to help with all of those things.”

June 22 the Community Cycling Center will celebrate its anniversary with a Quarter Century Bike Ride that ends in a park with a celebration and barbecue.

Stay tuned for event details at CommunityCyclingCenter.org/events.

Vanessa Miali has lived in Concordia for 18 years. She is a former public relations professional with two kids who cooks every day and gardens occasionally.