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WWW JU STOUT COM
DECEMBER 3 2010
FEATURE
HOLLA. GAYS!
N o rth B u y N o rth w e st
A Lady About Town s home-centric shopping guide
BY DANIEL BORGEN
The throes o f the recession seem to be eas­
ing— for now—and signs o f shopping life (and,
yes, some struggle) are springing up all around
our city. We’ve seen the much heralded arrival
o f clothing giant H & M , which has, indisput­
ably, increased foot traffic throughout down­
town. The pop-up shop experiment thrives and
temporary treasure troves dot the city streets.
With all the oft deserved hoopla surrounding
downtown and the Pearl, we tend to forget the
gems hidden in another of our town’s most fre­
quented neighborhoods: Northwest Portland.
So for you, dear readers, a refresher course—and
a brief jaunt through the shops in and around
the streets I call home.
Before your journey, you’ll need caffeinated
sustenance. Nestled in one o f the unlikeliest
corners, just off 21st and Glisan, adjacent to
Trader Joe’s, is one o f the city’s best kept cof­
fee secrets: Sterling Coffee Roasters. Ignore
for a minute the vest- and tie-clad, Gatsby-
inspired (and easy on the eyes) gentlemen be­
hind the counter. Essentially an open-air cof­
fee shop, Sterling offers handcrafted beverages
with a rotating lineup o f single-origin espres­
so— beans they roast themselves. Co-owner
Aric Miller is usually on hand to excitedly
discuss the complexities o f any given pick of
the day. I tried two versions o f their espres­
so— one an earthy (and tasty) batch from Su­
matra, the other a roast that smelled exactly
like blueberries.
Sterling made what was probably the most
delicious dark chocolate mocha I’ve ever had. In
a city filled with fine coffee shops and fantastic,
locally owned cafes, I feel like we’re almost col­
lectively numb to great coffee. That said, I
swooned over my mocha. As Miller explained
to me the intricacies o f the dark cacao used to
perfect my drink, I missed the specifics (66 per­
cent, I later learned). My taste buds had hijacked
each of my senses. That drink—the balanced
blend of dark chocolate and potent espresso—
will forever remain on my short list o f “best o f”
in the city. And Sterling doesn’t just make stel­
lar drinks. They offer everything you need to
brew at home: excellent whole bean coffee; ele­
gant, made-for-the-counter glass containers;
letterpress gift cards, too— all the makings of
inspired gift giving. Trust me, Sterling’s beans
beat giant vacuum sealed packs from you know
where. (Find Sterling Coffee Roasters on Face-
book; peek into Sterling’s world.)
After you stop and smell the flowers— I mean
that literally, as Sammy’s Flowers is just next
door to Sterling, boasting an assortment of vases
and fresh-cut everything and other smart gift
ideas—head up Glisan to 23rd, right off Burn­
side, where my next most favored destination
awaits in Thiele Square. Once a formidable retail
complex, Thiele has boasted more empty space
than commerce as of late, save for mainstays
Gap and Levi’s. Now, thankfully, Blake— the
specialty clothier once on 23rd proper—is back
in residence, a welcome reprieve from the le­
gions of corporate giants lining the surrounding
streets and complexes.
Blake offers an impressive array of brands
and price points. The boutique hasn’t lost its
denim focus in the sprawling new (old Smith &,
Hawken) space—on the contrary, the denim
selection seems expanded in the new digs. Em ­
ployees, at the behest and training of Blake
(Davis) himself, provide extensive knowledge
about fit and construction, the most intrinsic of
details. The best part of the roomy, well-de-
skin care needs. Their tried-and-true products
have been around for 159 years (yes!), and Kie­
hl’s employees are as expertly trained and pas­
sionate about their products as ever, at the ready
to give honest, no-holds-barred advice— and
take years off your face. (I’ve been going for
ages, those kids don’t lie.) Treat your partner to
a custom-made gift set or lavish their age re­
versing miracle creams on yourself. When you
go, ask for Tyler, (kiehls.com)
Don’t feel like leaving the couch? Fine. I
signed new space (aside from vintage pieces know you’ve seen Alisa Starr— the “Snarky
from Aurora Mills Architectural Salvage)? Card Chick”— around the city. She graced Cafe
Blake’s expanded clothing selection, which now Nell’s Clambake this summer and frequents
entails an endless assortment of jackets, shirts, bars and parties in the Northwest and elsewhere.
sweaters— a variety o f designers offering any Starr peddles Portland-renowned, epically witty
number o f looks. While there to merely scope Snarky Cards that feature her now trademark
out the place, my friend in tow went home with “kindler, gentler brutal honesty.” In short: the
an exquisite (and reasonably priced) wool pea- most secret scathing musings you wish you
coat. (Read more about Blake: loveblake.tumblr. thought up. Although her cards usually hang
from a box beneath Starr’s impressive bosom
com.)
(and killer smile), you can find the catalogue of
After drinking the best coffee in town and her handcrafted delights— much more than
seeing one of the city’s best clothing selections, cards, too— online. Just think, support a local
you may be approaching sensory overload. Do artist without leaving the comfort o f your own
not fear, brave shopper. Your next stop is several home. (Check her out at superalisa.com.)
blocks away and the fresh air (and the fun you’ll
have tourist-watching) will rejuvenate you.
Along 23rd, just before Irving, stands stationery
giant Paper Source. Notecards, greeting cards,
wrapping paper, pens— anything you’ll need to
read, write or wrap with, all manner of wordy
and decorative prowess lies within Paper
Source’s walls. I know so many friends who
routinely write thank you notes, cards, letters
and the like, I can always find something for a
Sn arky C a rd s : for w hen you w ant to tell
special someone when I go. (papersource.com)
your friends the a b so lu te truth
So maybe you don’t want to pick out clothes
or coffee— and papered delights aren’t your
thing. The solution: Pass Paper Source, cross Ir­
ving and stop by Kiehl’s, where an army of
beautiful gays and stunning ladies await, eager
to assist you with your cosmetic, fragrance and
Wherever you go this shopping season, mix
local flavor into your endeavors. Think socially
conscious, responsible and queer-friendly.
Doing so will make the season a little brighter
for all o f us.
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