December 5, 1990 The Portland O bserver T age 9
■ Portland Observer i
BUSINESS SERVICES DIRECTORY
B O Y SCOUTS
O F A M E R IC A
Shadow
Masters
& Sound
Mary K. Richardson
director o f In School Scouting
Columbia Pacific Council
2145 SW Front Ave.
Portland, Oregon 97201
(503) 226-3423
ja ’bell’s
Beauly * Barber • Nails Supplies
5832 N.E. Union Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97211
(503) 281-8393
and
5?87 N. Lombard Street
Portland, OR 97203
(503) 283-6085
Opan: Hon. thru Sat.
Photography
(503) 629-5930
P.O. Box 6311
Aloha, OR 97006
Rick Pratt
Dr. Jewell Crawford, M.D.
Golden Rule
4722 N.E. Glisan
Portland, Oregon
(503) 232-5879
,
'D o n n ie s
(Beauty S aion
2723 N.E. 7th
281-7053
Mary Paris
C ommunity C are
2 8 8 -5 4 2 9
(A n y tim e )
ilere is a program that meets
human need with no funding.
Where is your pocket book
to help.
They serve over 2,000 per
month.
Help!!!
ONE on ONE
Tax Service
317 N.E. Killingswurth
Portland, OR 97211
(503) 289-0851
Valerie Currie
Tax Consultant
Garbage Service
1101 N.E. Alberta
Portland, OR 97211
287-0262
Linda Sevier
"BBQ OCR SPECIALTY"
C
INN
L o o d ^ o f ‘.R a d ia n c e
CASON’S
Hair Salon & Supply Shop
3512 N.E. 15th Ave.
Portland, OR
284-6365
MEATS
Look of Radiance W ants You If
Y ou're Qualified
7406 N. Vancouver
Portland, OR 97217
7101 NE 82nd Avenue
Portland, OR 97220
503/255-6722
$ 3 5 .0 0 pe r set pe r m o n th
$ 3 0 .0 0 d e liv e ry &
in s ta lla tio n
R e n t a l W a s h e r Co,
Portland
231-7413
693-4000
P R O G R E S S IV E
REALTY
IN C .
President
2 8 3 -4 5 4 2 • 2 8 1 -3 0 3 8
317 N.E. K illingsw orth
P ortland, OR 97211
? • •• .‘-N
;
5933 NE G arfie ld
P o rtland, Oregon 97211
E lonZella
Markets
R e s ta u r a n t S i L o u n g e
W A SH ER S Si D R YER S
ORA L. HART,
FINE
(503) 285-4750
V7
RENT
V ancouver
TJ Sentry
plus
925 N.E. B roadway
P ortland , OR 97232
(503) 249-7204
Home: 282-0054
Ready to Serve You as Always!
288-3233
ACCESSORIES
Jewelry
African Sculpture • Masks
African-Am erican Books
Framed African-Am erican Prints
Hand Painted Sweats, T-shirts
Pants and Tops
Location:
Buying Appliances
Working or Not
L esley E. H am m ond
Optimum
Family
«
Health Clinic ?
9 a.m. -0 p.m.
McMurphy's
R.D. Sevier
& Son, Inc.
Tax Returns
AFRO
AMERICAN
DOLLS
3 locations
serving you
C A L L : 284-7980
Lonnie Henderson
503-285-0042
Raleigh and Donnie Lewis
Downtown
5 ^
..
•
■
*
f ' ' \ * • *
Jd m e5
C h z /d - ^
C W e l o p m Q h 'f ' C W
e /
1315 S.W. P a rb 227-2439
Safe * C ertified * Quality
AKC Rottweiler
Puppies
For only
$25.00
Large Heads, Big Boned,
Dark mahogany, from
famous import, Schitt
Bloodlines
per month
you can have a 1X2" ad in
the Business Services
Directory
5 0 3 /7 7 4 - 0 0 4 4
also stud service
Lg. Beautiful male
Broadway
CAREER NETWORK IRC
It’s A
Small World
Hairweevers
EXECUTIVE MGMT
ACCOUNTING
HIGH-TECH
ADMINISTRATIVE
FINANCE
BOOKKEEPING
MARKETING
CLER1CAL/0FFÏCE
SALES
CONTROLLERS
SECRETARIES
DATA PROCESSING
ENGINEERING
TOO Nf HultnomKi Suite R»----------133
ROM
5852 N X . 42nd Ave.
Portland, OR 97218
(503)281-9495
OPEN:
Tuesday thru Saturday
9:00 a-m. - 6:00 p.m.
225 N. Killingsworth
Portland, OR 97217
285-9008
Carolyn Sims, Owner
Enriched * Stimulating
Learning Environment
P & J
BEAUTY &
BARBER
S U P P L IE S
’ ’■ -
Open to Public 9-6
Delivery/Service
2948 NE MLK, Jr.
Portland, Or. 97212
( ‘i f ' -
Pogy Sumner
Owner
249-1994
.X-
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• Portland Observer
BUSINESS
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■’■»'■'À--
B u s ï it © s s
P ir© f il©
&
Ïllïïi
Santa Loves Us,
You Will Too!
T h e B e a u t if u l O ld S t J o h n s P o s t O ff ic e s e ts o f f th e C h a
a n d V a lu e o f H a n d m a d e G if t s a n d D e c o r a t io n s b y O \ e i
3 0 0 lo c a l a r t is t s a n d c r a f te r s . O p e n E V E R Y D A Y t h i u
C h r is t m a s E v e i t s t h e p e r f e c t p la c e to f in d t h e p e r . -
R i f t . E a c h o n e u n i q u e , c l e v e r , p r a c t i c a l o r b e “ “ ™ 1' 1; .
.
t o le - p a in t e d o r e m b r o id e r e d , s c r o ll- s a w n o r
J
,
C re a te d w it h d e lig h t to m a k e y o u r h o m e , y o u r tre e a
y o u r lo v e d o n e s f e e l f i l l e d w i t h t h e S p i r i t o f C h r i s t m a s
O p en E v e r , D a y In th e W A R M . D R Y 4 1
O L D S T . J O H N S P O S T O FFIC E
8 7 2 0 N . Iv a n h o e
H w y 3 0 . c ro ss th e S I J o h n s B r id g e , le ft s t h i h t
s
M O N SATS 30
30
F R I D A Y S » 3 0 » (X)
S U N D A Y S N O O N 5 OO
Special Thank» To
Art Riedel
ITW
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ast July 21st marked the culmination of years of planning
and dreaming for Mel Farris of Fanis Fashions. The store,
which features “ high tech” fashion, was financed totally by
his own savings. “ My biggest challenge was convincing
myself that the time is right, this year-1990,” said Fams, “ I
saved money all through the ‘80’s because I knew it would
be hard to get capital. I started with all my own financing.”
Farris already successful at two other careers: teaching
mathematics at Mt. Hood Community College and in his real estate rental
business. But owning a high fashion clothing store was something he dreamed
about for years. “ I get compliments at work and on my leisure time in night clubs,
etc. on the way I dress. I’ve always had a good eye for fashion,” he added.
The unique store features clothes for men and women on the cutting edge of
fashion, from radical to high tech. “ We have fashions will are here in Portland
now, not three years form now.” A customer will encounter the “ En-Vogue
sheer, see-through style, three-quarter length suits with matching pants like Prince
wears, snakeskin shoes, designer stockings with tiger & dragon patterns in black
and gold, silk pants, as well as more conservative styles of dresses and suits. “ I
thing we caught a lot of Portlanders offguard,” commented Fams. “ And because
it’s a small store with low overhead, we have very reasonable prices.”
The fashions come from New York, Georgia and Los Angeles with the help
of Farris’ buyer and aunt Louise Brooks. She is assisted by another family mem­
ber, Mel Farris, Jr. Farris’ aunt and son help him keep up on the hottest styles, and
he attends many of the trade shows himself.
Another service that is unique to Farris Fashions is provided by Mel’s
girlfriend and designer, Vivian Hickmon. She designs women’s fashions and cus­
tom designs and places snakeskin additions to silk garments to a customer’s speci­
fications. Salesman De Andre Smith helps customers with their selections.
Farris is philosophical and optimistic about the future of his store. “ If it does
fail it doesn’t mean I’m a failure-I’ve had quite a few successes already in my life.
And I have no reason to believe it will be anything but a success. Just one of the
many things I’ve accomplished,” he said.
And what docs he consider his greatest success? “ The biggest thing I accom­
plished is my high school diploma. It’s still hanging on die wall in my office (at
Mt. Hood Community College.) It was the first certificate that showed that I
completed an educational program, which means a lot to someone who flunked the
fifth grade.” Farris cites Bobby Kennedy as an inspiring figure. “ He flunked the
fourth grade. But one failure doesn’t mean you’re a failure. You have to add all of
your successes as well and then balance them,” he commented.
After high school Farris went on to get a 2-year degree in Electrical Engineer­
ing from ML Hood, a 4 year degree in the same subject from Oregon Institute of
Technology, and a master’s degree in education from Cal. State.
“ Another success I really appreciate is my pride and joy sport: basketball,”
added Farris. As a junior and senior at Jefferson High School, his team won the city
title both years. “ I was quite talented in basketball. I went on to Mt. Hood and
made honorable mention All-American and did the same thing at the Oregon
Institute of Technology. I still hold the northwest scoring title of averaging 29
points per game in one season (while at Oregon Tech.)” Fam s also had an NBA
tryout with the Indiana Pacers and tryout offers with other teams. He could also
have gone overseas and played professional basketball. “ But I had my teaching
job. It was chancy to keep trying out. I went for security,” recalled Fam s. He went
on to coach basketball for six years at Mt. Hood Community College.
Although this is Farris’s first venture into a retail business, he feels his
planning has paid off. “ I’d been gearing myself for the day throughout the ‘80’s.
My style of dress helps me with ordering and my knowledge of math helps with
accounting and bookkeeping,” he stated. “ And the last six months I ve gained
considerable knowledge in the retail industry. I’m continually learning all the
time.
Farris is satisfied with living and working in Portland, and has lived in north
Portland for the last seven years. “ I’ve thought about moving hack to Los Angeles
several times, but Portland is the kind of place where there is opportunity. Y ou can
be what you want to be anywhere but it’s easier in Portland,” he said. “ Most
aspects of living in Portland are easier than in cities like L.A. Like buying
groceries and driving to and from work. It’s a much better lifestyle. I wouldn’t be
able to do the things I do or own the things I own in L.A.”
Mel Farris also sees Portland as a place where he can contribute to the
community. “ Black businesses are very important. In the ‘50’s there were more
black-owned businesses in Portland than there are today. But I don t want black
people coming to my store just because I’m black. I’d prefer they come to the store
for the high tech fashions at low prices. And I like to think o f myself as a role model
for young blacks or young men in general-you can accomplish what you want to
accomplish and it doesn’t have to be drug related.”
He also feels good about the future of N/NE Portland. “ Since being in busi­
ness myself and talking to other business owners on Alberta, I’m very optimistic.
Their expanding and new business is coming in at an extremely fast pace.”
Farris Fashions features avant-garde clothing and accessories for both men
and women. The store is located at 2929 N.E. Alberta. The telephone number is
281-7164.
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