BOOM: This fall there's another bumper crop of new and reconfigured retail. Some are outright new, but others represent the success of independent shops that have successfully ridden Portland's new wave. Our city's retail has seen its share of hard times—all the better to appreciate the good times. Here are a couple of recent developments we're particularly into:
West End Select Shop: Open less than a month, founder Andi Bakos has brought a playful global eye to sourcing as well as creating Vintage Basics, a line of pieces that have been hand distressed and treated in a "wash house" for maximum softness. West End Select Shop, 927 SW Oak, westendselectshop.com
The Annex: Animal Traffic, which has been increasingly dipping its toes outside its vintage roots to pick up brands that emphasize sturdy construction and longevity in wear, is opening the Annex, dedicated to footwear for men and women. In keeping with their rustic-leaning tastes, the shop will feature exclusives from Red Wing Heritage and the West Coast debut of Woolrich footwear. The Annex, 4018 N Mississippi, opens Sat Nov 1, grand opening Fri Nov 7, 6 pm
Palace: Another brand that blossomed out of a vintage-heavy model, Palace is moving into a larger space, in which owner Charlotte O. Wenzel tells me she plans to further diversify Palace's offerings. Look for more home goods from off-the-beaten-path sources (with special attention to rugs), more apothecary, and even food items. Stop in to this weekend's grand opening for a first look, with "Sweedeedee Mexican wedding cookies, peach bellinis, and Tecate," as well as a live performance by White Glove. The party also features the release of a custom tote bag by Phoebe Wahl. Palace, 2205 E Burnside, opens Sat Nov 1, palacestore.com
SIXSEVEN: You may have caught a glimpse of the collaborative dresses made by apparel designer Liza Rietz and crochet/BOET jewelry designer Emily Bixler at Content or the Museum of Contemporary Craft. Soon you'll have a little shop dedicated solely to the work of these two talents (who also share a June 7 birthday, which explains the name), both together and separately. The one item they're considering carrying that they don't make themselves? Ninja slippers. Fair enough! SIXSEVEN, 811 E Burnside, #111, opens Fri Nov 14 with a celebration, 5-9 pm, shopsixseven.com
North of West: The people behind lines Nell & Mary, Make It Good, and Pigeon Toe are opening a design-centric mercantile to showcase wearable and home goods from other small makers, bringing in lots of fresh lines not found elsewhere in the city. They haven't committed to a date, but look for their doors to open sometime next month. North of West, 203 SW 9th, shopnorthofwest.com
Altar: Mag-Big is shutting for a remodel beginning December 27, and will re-emerge as Altar, a collaboration with Iron Oxide that promises a new identity that embraces mysticism and occult influences. Look for the reopening in early January. Altar, 3279 SE Hawthorne, grand opening planned Jan 15
Adorn/Frances May/Stand Up Comedy/Cargo: Adorn just opened a second location (at 3366 SE Division). Frances May is preparing to open in the larger location next door on November 9 UPDATE! They're now looking at November 13 (1003 SW Washington). Stand Up Comedy is due to open at their new digs in early November (511 SW Broadway). And Cargo officially celebrates their move to the Eastside this Sunday, with live music and other surprises throughout the day (81 SE Yamhill).
• Downtown's Solestruck Showroom has been open for three years, and to celebrate the party people behind the operation are throwing a "Birthdaween" costume party! Best looks win prizes including shoe money, and none shall enter without costume! w/Princess Dimebag; Church, 2600 NE Sandy, Thurs Oct 30, 8 pm
• It's not just hometown pride: Michelle Lesniak's collection for FashioNXT has put me on Team Michelle for all things. That includes the new season of Project Runway All Stars, in which she returns to the reality TV franchise. Show her some support and come out to the weekly viewing she's hosting, where she'll award raffle prizes and share off-screen anecdotes! Back Stage Bar, 3702 SE Hawthorne, Thurs Oct 30 (and each Thurs thereafter on Lifetime), doors at 8 pm
• Cargo has successfully settled into its new digs on the Eastside, and all that's left is a proper party to warm up the revamped, larger space! Come raise a glass to one of the city's best long-running examples of independent retail success! Cargo, 81 SE Yamhill, Sun Nov 2, 4-8 pm
