The Retail Thread

[babs]

Originally Posted by PhillyPDX

I did see something about them obtaining license and brands for some store names. Does that mean they will just operate Safeways here? Or will everything be switched to Piggy Wiggly?

The QFC and Haggens brand name are going to C and S. The stores in the NW will have one of the names TBD

[maccoinnich]

Hồng Phát opens a Portland ‘supercenter’ as Asian grocers proliferate



Hồng Phát opens its new supermarket at the former Walmart in Southeast Portland on Friday, filling a prominent storefront that has been vacant for 16 months.

The new store, at the Eastport Plaza shopping center on Southeast 82nd Avenue, opens its doors at 9 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring live music and a dance performance. Hồng Phát hopes to be more than a storefront – it hopes to become a community hub, with a network of satellite businesses leasing space in the building.

Hoang Nguyen, one of the masterminds behind the new Hồng Phát, said the Supercenter “is not just about groceries.”

“Our vision is to create a place where people in the local community can come together and hang out as well,” Nguyen said. “It’s a big space, and our thinking was that we could bring other small businesses in here and people can get their groceries, eat out and get a haircut all in one stop.”

...continues at the Oregonian.

[maccoinnich]

Based on Portland Maps, it looks like Spanish clothing retailer Mango is opening in Pioneer Place.

[dizflip]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

Based on Portland Maps, it looks like Spanish clothing retailer Mango is opening in Pioneer Place.

Nice! Still argue we could use a Uniqlo there.

Speaking of Pioneer Place - I was there last weekend because I was craving Raising Cane's and saw the lack of customers at Din Tai Fung. At first, I thought it was just downtown being downtown, but then I was floored by the line at Cane's; looked just like it did at grand opening back in 2019(?). Come to think of it, I don't think I've gone to that Cane's without having to start queuing near the bathrooms.

[maccoinnich]

Huh. Last time I walked through the mall on a random weekday evening Din Tai Fung seemed really busy, with about 20 people waiting to be seated. Wok-A-Holic, on the other hand, hardly ever seems to have anyone there (including pre-pandemic / name change).

I do think the mall would be smart to find small local retailers to go into the awkward triangular spaces by the ground floor corner entries. It's hard to imagine national retailers wanting to lease those, and my recollection is that most of them were empty pre-pandemic. Getting them occupied would really help make the mall feel more active right as the customer enters.

[maccoinnich]

Spanish fashion retailer Mango appears headed for downtown Portland



New permit filings suggest Spanish fashion retailer Mango is planning to open a store at Pioneer Place mall in downtown Portland.

A permit application suggests that Mango would occupy a remodeled space in the downtown mall, at 700 S.W. Fifth Ave. The application was submitted to the city on Wednesday and spotted by Portland development watcher Iain MacKenzie.

The permit proposes to demolish walls to build a sales area, fitting rooms, storage space, restrooms and new flooring.

...continues at the Oregonian.

[downtownpdx]

Nice to hear this. Of course I wish they’d lease the old Banana Republic space on Yamhill/ Broadway or something nearby to activate street space, but we’ll take what we can get. Props for downtown though, at least they aren’t headed to Washington Square or Bridgeport Village. Their first Washington state store opens soon after Portland, not in Seattle but Bellevue.