There are exciting developments afoot on the corner of 28th
and E Burnside, and I’m not talking about condominiums. The sadness of
seeing the Lady Luck vintage store––which long held
court across from the Laurelhurst Theater at 2742 E
Burnside––recently shuttered, has been greatly alleviated
by news of the space’s new tenants: Rad Summer, the vintage
store-cum-local record outlet-cum-used bike store and sometimes event
space. Rad is co-owned by a cadre of cool kids—most notably
Honey Owens of Valet and Dunes fame—and its doors should
be open by the time you read this. Originally slated to be open for
business on Saturday, December 13, Winter Blast 2008™ has
presented its share of setbacks.
Likewise, the space next door formerly occupied by Do or Dye hair salon (2730 E Burnside) is being reincarnated, and its new
proprietor, May Juliette Barruel, estimates it will be ready for
visitors by this Friday or Saturday. I’m on pins and needles waiting to
get into Barruel’s new venture, named Nationale after the metro
stop by her first apartment in Paris. Originally from Grenoble, France,
Barruel moved to Boston when she was 20, where she went to photography
school before moving back to the Continent. There she lived in Paris
for three years before returning to the States—this time to
Eugene, for “its local organic food, proximity to the Pacific Ocean,
and (embarrassing, but true), the Country Fair.” For the past eight
years, she has been living in Portland, almost four of which she’s
spent working for Stumptown Coffee, both behind the counter as a
barista and as the art curator of the downtown location.
Barruel’s transcontinental past and love of art and literature (she
holds a masters in American literature from the Sorbonne Nouvelle in
Paris) will inform the contents of Nationale, which will also function
as a small gallery and intimate performance space.
“What I plan to have in there is a sample of candies, toiletries,
art, books, old trinkets, magazines, and accessories that I feel
grateful for and inspire me in one way or another,” she explains.
“Items of quality that do not have to be so expensive you can’t ever
afford them, but that still feel very special, because of the way they
were made, a feeling they provoke, or the traditions they respect. I’m
also excited to introduce French products to the Portland market, stuff
I grew up with that were never a big deal but that I really miss now
that I’m here. The simplicity of every object will hopefully come
through, and is an important part of my vision.”
From Marseilles soaps to traditional French diaper rash cream, get
ready for a Nationale revolution in Portland.
Another brave new local venture was unveiled over the weekend:
Moonwoods handcrafted eye wear had a quiet launch at Frances
May (1013 SW Washington) on Saturday, just before the snow began to
fall. A collaboration between Justin Wayland, Danielle
Higgins, and Matthew Hamilton, the Moonwoods line consists
of beautiful, elegantly carved wooden eyeglass frames and jewelry,
including softer (but still killer) wooden iterations on brass
knuckles, which make use of the scrap material cut out for the eyewear
frames.
The project began when Wayland, who is nearly blind, broke his
glasses. Coupling his need for replacements with a desire to do so in
an artful and environmentally sensitive way, he threw himself into
researching woodworking, ethical harvesting practices, and running a
green business. He teamed up with Higgins, who specializes in the
shaping and finishing work, as well as designing some of the frames,
and the two went into business together, tapping Hamilton—who has
an arts background that includes constructing wooden surfboards in
Southern California—for his artistic input and technical
expertise. “Matthew developed our brass hinge system,” says Higgins.
“He is also the master of the scroll saw, one of our most important
tools.”
Each pair of Moonwoods eyeglasses is customized to the individual
through measurements or photographs, and clients may also specify the
type of wood and hinge they prefer. The company will also duplicate the
shape of a favorite pair of specs (they’ll do sunglasses too), and in
two to four weeks, depending on the amount of detail involved, a pair
of one-of-a-kind eyeglasses made conscientiously without harsh
chemicals out of mill ends that would otherwise be discarded, is
yours.
“We chose wood for its unmatched beauty and versatility,” says
Higgins. “Also, because of the nature of the material, no two pairs
will ever be identical. There is a lot to say about something truly
unique and individual in this time of outsourcing and mass production.
Eyeglasses are your most prominent accessory, and really make a
statement—we want that statement to have true value beyond
fashionable trends and material conveniences.” Contact Moonwoods via
email (moonwoods@gmail.com) or
telephone (984-0183) for inquiries, and read more about what’s in store
for Nationale and Moonwoods at mod.portlandmercury.com.