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About The Southwest Portland Post. (Portland, Oregon) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 2013)
October 2013 BUSINESS The Southwest Portland Post • 5 The Craft Factory opens creative space for children in Multnomah Village THE COUNTRY STORE By Erik Vidstrand The Southwest Portland Post From the second floor space above Topanien and Sweets, etc. (7832 SW Capitol Hwy), a child factory, of sorts, has opened. No, not a sweat shop, but a creative craft space for children and adults alike. Designed for toddlers, as well as the child in all of us, the Craft Facto- ry has successfully produced a place where everyone can be creative. As owner Melissa DeMartini ex- plains, it was the idea of her and husband, Ed Biden, after being in- spired by the creativity of their two children, Lola and Finn. “Lola and Finn would turn beach litter into memorable pieces of art from their trips to the coast,’ DeMar- tini said. The Factory’s space is newly re- modeled. The most recent office ten- ant was Head Start, which moved to the old interior design space at the east end of Multnomah Village. Upon arriving upstairs, the charm of an old factory complete with adding machine, work tables, galva- nized air ducts, and conveyor belts, greets the visitor. Encouraged to “punch in” using timecards with a time clock, the “workers” gather their supplies and equipment after selecting a base. (Punching in allows for credits for future visits.) Armed with a glue gun, creativity is unveiled. Part art studio and part hardware store; there are a variety of objects to choose from: old door knobs to buttons; PVC pipes to wire; plastic dinosaurs to feathers. It’s all here, and all recycled and repurposed. Partnering with the ReBuilding Center, on Mississippi Street, items have been donated and pulled from old building projects. Community members are encouraged to donate any old small craft items they wish to remove from cupboards or closets. “Crafting is traditionally done by girls and women,” DeMartini explained. “But here, the rules are bent.” As she spoke, a seven-year- boy fiddled with a display of cir- cuitry making a robot, while an older girl was busy with wood and bolts. It repurposes discarded items; it’s a safe place to create and hang out; and parents can drop their kids off on First Friday and visit the Village. And stay tuned for Adults Only evenings! Finally, the Craft Factory partners with other family-friendly venues in the village. Discount coupons for Nectar and Thinker Toys are shared. Annie Blooms Books will be sponsor- ing a book-of-the-week story time for toddlers to kindergarten every Friday from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. fol- lowed by a short craft project. The Craft Factory is open 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Birth- day parties are available in evenings and weekends by appointment. A portion of all profits benefit beach clean-ups. Korkage Wine Bar transitions into new Hillsdale location with Sunday brunch With a remodel, hundreds of bottles of local wines, and a new dining room, Kork- age Wine Bar has re-opened for business at the former location of Three Square Grill (see footnote, 6320 SW Capitol Hwy) after needing more room than it had across the street. According to co-owner and executive chef Earl John- son, the foot traffic and vis- ibility is better in the Hills- dale Shopping Center. The bigger location allows for a full menu which is some- thing that the owners had wanted to do for some time. Server Lori Brennan strikes a pose in the new Korkage Established in 2010, Kork- Wine Bar. (Post photo by Erik Vidstrand) age prides itself on pro- viding 90 percent local wines with for her years of devoted service on sampling, pairing with Northwest Main Street committees and chairing cuisine, and purchases all in one. the annual Wine About Winter event “The ‘wine friendly’ menu consists held in January. of small bites,” said co-owner, Tamai- Korkage is open every day except rah Boleyn. “Our servers and chef are Monday. Happy Hour is from 4:00 experts in suggesting pairing the right to 6:00 p.m., and private parties and wine with the right meal.” events are always welcome. Beginning Sunday, Oct. 6, brunch After 18 long, glorious years, Three will be served from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 Square Grill is no more. With a new baby p.m. “We are so happy to remain in and path, Chef David Barber decided to Hillsdale, “ explained Boleyn. “I quite close its doors last Mother’s Day. For my day job of 20 years in marketing those who still want to keep up on Bar- to fulfill a dream come true!” ber’s whereabouts, check out the Bingo Boleyn is no stranger to Hillsdale. sandwich and Picklopolis stand at the In July 2013, Hillsdale Main Street PSU Farmers Market or visit www. awarded her Volunteer-of-the-Year picklopolis.com. Craft Factory owner Melissa DeMartini is ecstatic to be able to offer creativity to local children in a factory-type setting complete with timecards, timeclock, and work buckets. (Post photo by Erik Vidstrand)
