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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 20, 2011)
OREGON'S LGBTO NEWSMAGAZINE business MAY 20, 2011 Put a Little Love in Your Cart “I literally just took a risk," she says. “No investment, no business plan. I just brought things from my home, yard sales and estate sales, and created the interior.” The interior is a very personal, natural space, which Baker changes seasonally, and which houses both her work and that of emerging artisans from all over the world. The shop also doubles as Baker’s work studio. “I think people get really excited to see people at work and making their craft,” ex- plains Baker, who also plays percussion in the band Lavender M irror with partner Kerby Ferris, also of the band Lovers. “My vision for the store has always been to create a space that has simple, beautiful, functional art ob- jects that are resident of the natural world and also created with intention.” Baker’s background in landscape horticul- ture influenced her concept for Sword + Fern, Her newer apothecary section houses alterna- five wellness products, and she also makes her own lip balm and salves from regional herbs. Despite receiving support and notoriety regionally as well as beyond, Baker’s hope is, as she puts it, to follow the path that’s been laid for her. “I think it’s really important to keep design really simple and as sustainable as possible,” Baker reiterates. “That’s one thing I don’t ever want to change—and that I want to always be improving on.” 811 E. Burnside 4114; noon-5 p.m. Tues.- Sat.; 503-683-FERN or swordandfern.com. Sticking out in Portland’s ocean o f food carts is a challenge for conspiring street res taurateurs. But for Dumps— a pierogi cart located in the new pod between 34th and 35th Avenue on SE Belmont—originality hasn’t been much of a problem. Co-owned by Jessica Redden and Ryan Soukkala, Dumps first opened downtown, serving traditional pierogies with a decid edly American m elting-pot twist. In M arch, the pair relocated to the bustling Belmont district. “We thought it could be a hit here, because we’ve never seen it anywhere else,” Redden says ot Dumps’confections.“Some people are alienated by the name, for sure, but they seem to like the food.” Featuring a rotating menu o f meat, veggie and vegan pierogies, Dumps’ quality street fare without pretension has built a formidable following. The cart’s aesthetic alone is cause for attention, with purple paint, zebra-striped accents, Pac-Man video gaming while you wait and pink flamingo yard art. Redden de scribes the look as a “throwback to growing up in the Redneck Riviera in Florida.” “We serve simple food,” she says. “We want it to be unique and delicious, inexpensive and accessible.” Soukkala adds, “Something a little less serious, with people who have a sense of humor, who want to make good food but are into the kitschiness of [the cart scene].” Staples include the samosa—a Polish-In- dian fusion dumpling stuffed with curry po- tato, onion and peas, served with either yo- gurt sauce or mango-pear chutney— and the U-D a-H o!—a cheddar-garlic mashed potato dumpling served with sour cream, cilantro and curry powder. Patrons can also watch VHS movies while they wait, and those who bring in a tape to add to Redden and Soukkala’s collection re- ceive $1 off their order. After all, life inside a food cart begs for entertainment sometimes, “We spend way too much time in that little box,” Soukkala says. Located between 34th and 35th on SE Bel- mont; noon-10p.m. Tues.-lhurs., noon-2:30a.m. Fri.-Sat., 1-9 p.m. Sun.; dumpspdx.com. Call ahead, 503-875-4512, for order pickup. vW ...about Investment Properties! H. D wayne D avis R ealty T rust ■ X CROUP X - 1220 \ \ \ l.ovcjoy. Su ito 13<) • Portland. OK 9" 209 \\ \\ \\ .Hridgc\ icwTeamKTCi.u>m O*, ta lAtr*^ 503-319-405"7 §® ìmi ©“moan3 What are you handing out? Water Bottles to Tote Bags We print on anything! • • • • • • # • • • • • • • • « • • MOREL INK Print anything, mail anywhere. Formerly Wilham and Dickey Bob K incaid has several ideas for yo u r booth! 503-736-0111 • morelink.biz 54 Years o f Experience and... We Won't Be Undersold! Herzgg- 2236 NE Broadway Portland. OR 97232 | 503.249.5659 | www.brianmarki.com 503-372-3115 He 17 ggMeier.com
