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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (April 20, 2007)
10 justput APRIL 20, ¿007 northwest Deco Goes Kitsch LINNTON FEED & SEED 10920 NW St. Helens Rd • Portland, OR 972 31 • Phone: (505)286-1291 DAY OLD CHICKS GARDENING SUPPLIES HARDWARE POULTRY SUPPLIES ORGANIC FERTILIZERS FENCING ORGANIC FEED BEDDING PLANTS PLUMBING The unique shopping experience E squire M otors , inc . Smcr 19M COMPLETE FOREIGN CAR SERVICE & REPAIR EUROPEAN & ASIAN 503.226.6269 www.esauiremotors.com 1853 SW Jefferson • Portland s a you parade 503*644-9121 DAN BROWNING Herzog-Meier ciri@htrzogmeier.com • www.herzogmeier.com Coming Out:. The Gay (Men's) Experience in Mexico In/Visibility: Lesbian Lives in Mexico Travel to Cuernavaca, Mexico and study Spanish while learning about gay and lesbian life in Mexico today. June 16th - July 6th EDÚCATE Call Now! 503-238-5790 www.educateya.org full immersion EXPERIENCE! Big City Produce Local Folks, Local Produce ^^Sustainable Bef ood Syswrn Little Store . . . Big on Diversity. 722 N Sumner (at N Albina) • Portland • 503-460-3830 COMMUNICATE business cards • newsletters • brochures ti • rack cards U full service printing Tel 503.281.8688 • Fax 503.249.1440 • www.impress-usa.com Whether Rita Deco is a movie star or world trav eler, her name evokes the glamour of the 19 30s and ’40s. Automatically your mind is tuned to all things Rita Hayworth and art deco. And this is as it should he when you head out to shop for unique vin tage gift and home décor items. William Spencer, a gay native Oregonian, opened Rita Deco at 7817 N.E. Prescott St. in February. Spencer combined his 20 years of experience in gifts and retail with his set design experience at local theaters to create a fun and vibrant store. You’ll find mid-century ware and movie memora bilia as well as new novelties. is affiliated with the leather and bears communi ties, said Rita Deco is a great place for collectors and people with an eye for vintage items. “It’s a wonderful place to browse,” he adds. “And I have very affordable prices—1 try to keep prices at a level 1 would like to pay.” business watch Familiar Spot Evolves There’s nothing new about Wild Abandon’s eclectic American cuisine, its cozy, romantic lounge and its hoppin' happy hour. Or is there? There’s something familiar about the way Wild Abandon has grown in the past 12 years at 2411 S.E. Belmont St. While its happy hour has always been a destination, it now offers the best outdoor patio this side of the river. And while the murals and warm interior haven’t changed much, the restaurant has begun boasting a Red Velvet Lounge, which is more of a concept than an actual space. “We want to be a gixxl neighborhood stop, where someone can just come and have a really gcxxl burger. Or a date space, where you can William Spencer sells vintage gifts and collectibles at Rita Deco. order a more expensive entree,” said owner Michael Another aspect to Rita Deco is the artist Cox, an Oregonian since 1992. space. Every month, Spencer will show the two- Cox began his career in the restaurant industry dimensional art of an emerging artist on his washing dishes at 1 3 years old. His first job in gallery wall. Spencer said he enjoys giving space Portland was waiting tables at Zell’s Cafe, just a few to artists who might not he established enough for hkx:ks from Wild Abandon. At his restaurant for a formal gallery setting. Next month, the acrylic five nights a week, Cox is found behind the bar, florals of Colleen Williams will he on display. greeting diners as the host, filling in for the pastry “This is very appropriate for rhe season with chef and, sometimes still, washing dishes. Cox, everything blooming," said Spencer. who describes himself as the gay Boh Villa, also A Cully neighhorhixxl resident, Spencer said he upholstered all of the hmths and built the restau chose to open his store in the up-and-coming neigh rant’s glittered tables. borhood because it has a lot of positive energy. “It’s The Wild Abandon Web site has been a 21st another area that’s taken a little time to catch on, century addition to the restaurant—like the patio, like St. Johns and Alberta,” he said. “1 didn’t want which Cox says came to him as a revelation: to open clear across town in an area I’m not familiar “Sometimes it takes me 10 to 12 years to get-a clue.” with.” The detailed Web site tells the history of the He said he believes people will make Rita Deco joint and its mission and posts a detailed menu. a destination because he brings in new goods According to Cox, every chef from the almost every day and the shop is a wonderful place restaurant’s past has left fingerprints on its menu. to find a gift. Spencer, who was active in the He describes the style of the restaurant’s newest Imperial Sovereign Rose Court for many years and chef, Jonathan Taulbee, as “subtly inventive, with a restrained, creative signature." To celebrate its 12th year in business, Cox is hosting a “no donor left behind" celebration April 24 in which 60 per cent of all proceeds will he donated to Our House of Portland. “This is a way for people to have dinner as they would on any other night, and whatever your price point is, it’s a donation,” he said. Cox says he rarely says no to charita ble opportunities and has been an active contributor to Cascade AIDS Project and Basic Rights Oregon’s Bite for Rights. For more information visit www.wildahandonrestaurant.com. © Michael Cox celebrates 12 years with Wild Abandon. By J aymee R. Cirri and M alka G effen
