FORGET AN APOCALYPSE starring machine guns and robot wars and silly things like that. A store that opened this winter in Portland takes supplying citizens for the impending collapse of civilization seriously, stocking its shelves with seeds, how-to books, and sturdy water-filtration systems. Clearly, the apocalypse is not a laughing matter.
“I talk about the real zombie apocalypse,” says Alex Ansary, who runs the new Portland Preparedness Center on NE 72nd and Glisan. “Not the joke-joke hee-hee one.”
Portland Preparedness Center is lined with the no-joke apocalypse essentials. The boxy, fluorescent-lit shop, reeking of sage, was a toy store until Ansary took it over last year, and shoved aside the playthings to make room for 40-pound barrels of wheat, canned cheese, manuals on DIY medicine, and simple self-defense weapons like a “spring baton” that Ansary, 30, exuberantly demonstrates. Soon, Ansary hopes to offer workshops and become a sort of community center for those who are devoted to planning for the worst.
The money to start the peculiar shop was put up by a dealer looking for a storefront to advertise shelters built to withstand earthquakes and bombs (individual price estimates available upon request).
The way Ansary sees civilization crumbling goes like this: In 2013 or 2014, increased solar flares and a string of disasters will knock out electricity worldwide, disrupting the global economy and stranding billions without resources. Desperate bands will form, turning to zombie-like cannibalism, while the smart humans, the ones who stockpiled their wheat and canned cheese, will form a new society.
Ansary races around the store, grabbing books and pulling clipped and crinkled news articles out of a plastic sack to prove a particular point. He’s not overbearing about the inevitable collapse of civilization, but intensely enthusiastic. Every one of his sentences sounds like part of an ever-forming manifesto.
“I think apocalypse is a big part of pop culture because we have this inner knowing, like an elephant who can feel an earthquake coming,” says Ansary, his dark eyes burning. “What I’m trying to do is take something that people think of as extremist and make it more Portland… I believe this is more of a spiritual mission I’m on. Preparing for me has come from helping others.”
A Portland native, Ansary fell into drugs in his 20s and says he spent five years bouncing between Craigslist living spaces, shooting heroin, and working odd jobs. His police record shows the trouble: an arrest for criminal trespass and possession of a controlled substance in January 2001, followed days later by an arrest for forgery. He went to rehab, but it wasn’t until he became politically active—ranting about the New World Order, 9/11, and war on his own cable-access show—that he got off the junk.
“The moment I got into this stuff, the desire to use was lifted,” says Ansary. “Disease and addiction comes from not doing what you’re supposed to on this planet.”
Ansary’s show, Outside the Box, is still broadcast live every week. And his YouTube channel is equally prolific, with about 400 videos and nearly 250,000 views.
“A lot of what my show is about is walking up to Portland cops and saying, ‘Are you ready for what’s coming?!’ I think there will be a day in Portland when all the good people have to come together,” says Ansary.
The new Preparedness Center is just another outlet for his flood of energy—he staffs the store and keeps it open five days a week, even keeping the doors open on Christmas Eve because he had no other plans.
I, too, just read The Road. Zombie cannibals!
I like survival stores. They remind of me of the back section of Boy’s Life Magazine. But for grown-ups!
Also, this is an interesting (sociology) book about consumerism and the survivalist subculture: Dancing At Armageddon. http://amzn.to/fsk1fP
Im not a huge fan of the road. It was more dark that the reality that is going to be. I think its important to prepare, but not expect ALL HELL to break loose. There will be good men and women out there doing wonderful work. Even here in Portland. Even if we don’t agree exactly on what the problem is….Crisis tends to make men out of boys and strong women out of girls. Thank you very much Sarah for taking the time to review this store.
Hey Alex, if/when the shit goes down, I’ll likely attempt to make my way to my parents’ mountain stronghold in northern california. But I don’t know how I’ll get there. What’s the best way to travel when 1) I only own a scooter, and 2) gas stations will probably not be operational?
Yeah, I thought The Road was only okay.
Hi Rom. Its good to be in high elevation! Portland is near sea level. Just a reminder to everyone…..Look on CL for a free boat! Seriously though…..having scooter or cycle or bike is KEY in a situation where there is no gas or if there are military checkpoints.
Its important to study TOPOFF 4. the drill that took place in Portland in 2007. A critical part of that drill involves the DHS running the city of Portland and controlling who goes in and out of the city. In other words, Portland has already been ‘prepped’ for martial law style checkpoints.
If you want to get your truck ready for a potential EMP, get a pre 1973 model before the computer chips where put into the ignition.
I believe that what’s coming will make a lot of women stronger and more powerful in themselves. This is more than a male issue. In the road, the wife gets stressed out in the beginning and LEAVES the husband and child. This stills of more Hollywood doom and gloom portraying women (again) as the weaker sex which crumbles under pressure. Not a good way to look at the future.
What we really are about at the center is empowering people and teaching them new skills. Not promoting a doom and gloom mentality. Being prepared doesn’t not equal being scared nor perceiving that it’s the end of the world. History has shown that we have been through this several times and survived…and many of us…will again.
I look not to the end of the world…But to a new found FREEDOM….for the world from the current systems of control. It is obvious to many that it is the government that’s noticeably concerned about the end of their empire. If their satellites and weapons of war in space come crashing down due to massive solar CMES bombarding the planet….they and their control structure has a problem. For those of us dreaming of a truly free and organic society…THAT is very good news!
We live in fear country.Fuck fear.But alas fear seems to be selling.Dream on.It’s your right.
Thank you for publishing this article. Over the years, Alex has passionately shared valuable and important information regarding earth changes, alternative news, preparedness and wellness. It’s about time Alex gets some recognition for his tireless efforts! More often than not it is a thankless job because the vast majority of the population is not aware of the subtle (and even overt) changes that are taking place and such individuals get very hostile when their myopic world views are challenged. To imply that Alex is a fear monger reveals more about the character of the accuser than Alex himself and will only serve to strengthen Alex’s resolve in the long run. As Alex has mentioned time and time again, there will be challenges ahead for all of us but this is also a wonderful opportunity to create a better world. It’s time to get out from under the oppressive and manipulative monetary, political and corporate systems and to take our humanity back. I’m ready to hit the reset button. Are you?
I’ll leave you with a quote from a brilliant philosopher, mathematician and astronomer who was also condemned and eventually burned at the stake for his efforts to elevate mankind.
“It is proof of a base and low mind for one to wish to think with the masses or majority, merely because the majority is the majority. Truth does not change because it is, or is not, believed by a majority of the people.” Giordano Bruno
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