The Retail Thread

[maccoinnich]

Nike returns to former downtown Portland retail space after renovations



A year and half after Nike closed its downtown Portland store at 638 S.W. Fifth Ave. for renovations, the company is about to reopen the space.

Since February 2024, Nike has operated its retail location inside Pioneer Place mall, across the street from its longtime store in the Kress Building. But the mall spot recently closed, and Nike confirmed that the old spot will celebrate its grand reopening Nov. 13.

A few construction workers were inside the Kress Building space Thursday morning, and “coming soon” signs were posted in the windows alongside photos of premier Nike athletes like Sha’Carri Richardson and LeBron James.

...continues at the Portland Business Journal ($).

[RED_PDXer]

On a recent cold and windy day I decided to walk through Pioneer Place and there's no more than 12 retail stores left (including Apple and Tiffany's which aren't really inside the mall, and Nike, which is moving out). It's more like 9 retail stores really. I hope they can turn it around soon by attracting some unique (Uniqlo, Mango for men, etc.) as well as bread and butter retailers (shoes, groceries, etc). One thing I notice in many of the malls in Japan and Europe is the presence of a grocery store as an anchor. That would be a great basement level use of the mall (if there was enough demand).

[maccoinnich]

One of Oregon’s top banks to move into historic downtown Portland building



Bank of America plans to move into what was once a bustling downtown Portland department store.

The national financial services company — one of Oregon’s largest — intends to open a new location at 621 S.W. Fifth Ave., according to several permits filed over the past month. The Portland Business Journal first reported the news.

It would be the latest addition to the historic Meier & Frank Building, formerly home to Macy’s before the department store closed its downtown location in 2017.

Though it’s unclear how much space Bank of America will take up, permits outline renovations for the building’s first floor that include offices and ATMs, along with a wellness room, break room and waiting room.

...continues at the Oregonian.

[babs]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

...continues at the Oregonian.

While I will take an occupied space over one that is vacant. Banks tend to add little vitality or foot traffic, especially since they are closed weekends and evenings. I'd call this a base hit over a homerun.

[maccoinnich]

Originally Posted by babs

While I will take an occupied space over one that is vacant. Banks tend to add little vitality or foot traffic, especially since they are closed weekends and evenings. I'd call this a base hit over a homerun.

I agree; while better than the empty space it's been for the past 8 years, it sure would have been nice to see a more vibrant retailer that would complement the James Beard Market across the street (say, the return of Sur La Table to Oregon, now that they're opening stores again).

[downtownpdx]

Yeah not exactly an exciting addition to what has been a primary retail street downtown, but better than the dark windows. I really hope the Wells Fargo across the street (?) loses its lease so the James Beard Market can expand into that corner of the block. Having the market front Pioneer Square would be great, especially in that gorgeous building.

[dizflip]

I forgot there was a Macy's there.

[PhillyPDX]

Is this a BoA back office or just a branch? Seems odd a bank branch opening would make the news.

[maccoinnich]

Remodeled Nike store showcases running, nods to company’s Portland roots



Portland State University student Carolyn Davidson designed the iconic Nike swoosh less than a mile from the sportswear giant’s newly renovated Portland store.

The 7,500-square-foot-store, which reopens Thursday, nods to Davidson, as well as other moments from Nike’s celebrated corporate history. But more than anything, it underscores CEO Elliott Hill’s ongoing work to refocus the company on sports.

Lanes of a running track flow through the middle of the store, the strips emblazoned with 1972, the year Nike came into existence. Giant overhead images depict the track at Nike’s corporate campus and Hayward Field at the University of Oregon, where Knight ran track for Bill Bowerman, with whom he co-founded the company. Eliud Kipchoge’s record marathon time is engraved on a wall. A quote from sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson is on another.

...continues at the Oregonian.

[maccoinnich]

Cult classic bag company to debut in NW Portland



A bag company with a cult following — and only a select few storefronts nationwide — is bringing its funky, colorful patterns to Northwest Portland.

Whispers started earlier this month, when San Francisco-based retailer Baggu posted a local job listing for a full-time store manager, the Portland Business Journal reported.

A sign advertising the company — along with images of the reusable totes and crescent-shaped purses its become known for — is now visible outside 2305 N.W. Kearney St. The space previously housed MudPuddles Toys & Books before the toy store closed last summer.

...continues at the Oregonian.

[maccoinnich]

Where your favorite Lloyd Center stores are moving as Portland says goodbye to the mall



As Lloyd Center enters what is likely its final months, some of the Northeast Portland mall’s tenants are lining up new locations across the city.

The mall’s owners have said Lloyd Center will close sometime this year, though they have not announced when. For now, the mall — and its ice rink — remain open, but The Oregonian/OregonLive has been reaching out the mall’s retailers and nonprofits to find out where they’re headed next.

Some are moving out early. Others will stay with Lloyd until the mall’s final days. Here’s what we know so far:

Floating World Comics and Brickdiculous

When Floating World Comics moved into Lloyd Center in 2022, it was part of a wave of indie businesses that found space in the struggling mall. Later this year, the comic shop and its neighbor, the Lego store Brickdiculous, will relocate to another mall, downtown Portland’s Pioneer Place.

...continues at the Oregonian.

[maccoinnich]

Also, it appears that Uniqlo is coming to Washington Square.

[MarkDaMan]

https://www.kgw.com/article/news/politic...283-9d83aab8-17d1-4771-83c6-ec5bf309e60a

Portland explores vacancy fee as downtown struggles with empty storefronts
The Portland City Councilors explore fee on landlords of buildings with vacant retail and residential space.
Author: Sara Edwards (Portland Business Journal)
Published: 10:46 AM PDT April 1, 2026
Updated: 10:46 AM PDT April 1, 2026

This story comes from the Portland Business Journal, a KGW news partner. The full story is here.

The Portland City Council is exploring a controversial approach to decrease vacancies in retail spaces and residential units.

The idea, introduced by councilors Jamie Dunphy and Sameer Kanal, is to impose a fee on landlords of buildings with available space. The fee amount would be determined by the length of time the space had been vacant.

The idea is generating a strong reaction from some property managers who argue landlords are already doing all they can to fill empty spaces and that adding a tax could discourage investment in Portland at a time of serious headwinds. And it's not clear whether a tax would have the intended effect of reducing vacancies. One recent study found that such taxes don’t move the needle on vacancies even in the best of times.

Dunphy said there is no specific policy on the table, but the city is exploring what such a vacancy tax might look like.

“We really need to make sure this is the right tool solving the right problem,” said Dunphy. “The amount of specifically commercial vacant storefronts right now is a problem that needs a solution, and we cannot sit by and allow the kind of active deterioration of the places where our economy needs to thrive.”

...(continues)

[HillsboroTech]

Uniqlo coming to Washington Square and Fox Tower! https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2026/04/01/uniqlo-portland-locations.html

I wish it was more in pioneer square mall but still essentially there and a huge win for the area.

[MarkDaMan]

Originally Posted by HillsboroTech

Uniqlo coming to Washington Square and Fox Tower! https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2026/04/01/uniqlo-portland-locations.html

I wish it was more in pioneer square mall but still essentially there and a huge win for the area.

Less exciting, but a Bank of America branch is being built on the Pioneer Courthouse Square corner of the old Meier and Frank building.

[maccoinnich]

Originally Posted by HillsboroTech

Uniqlo coming to Washington Square and Fox Tower! https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2026/04/01/uniqlo-portland-locations.html

I wish it was more in pioneer square mall but still essentially there and a huge win for the area.

Fantastic news. While I would like to see the mall fill back up, getting the street facing retail around Pioneer Square filled again is really important too.

Originally Posted by MarkDaMan

Less exciting, but a Bank of America branch is being built on the Pioneer Courthouse Square corner of the old Meier and Frank building.

Less exciting for sure, but good for the reason above.

[maccoinnich]

Vintage Boutique Shirtzenpantz to Expand to Downtown
The shop’s third location will be in a former underwear store on Southwest Washington Street.



It’s out with the undies, in with the oldies at 800 SW Washington St. in downtown Portland.

Shirtzenpantz, the viral vintage boutique that started in Hillsdale in March 2025, just signed a lease on its third location: the former UnderU4men outlet on the corner of Washington and Park Avenue. Shirtzenpantz also operates a branch in St. Johns.

“We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us,” says Ethan Gail, co-owner of Shirtzenpantz, with his twin brother Owen Gail.

Shirtzenpantz is known for its solid selection of vintage clothes and $20 Levis, but also tons of schtick. To wit: trying to manufacture the largest pants in the world; free cookie Fridays; discounts for original poetry; kicking rocks (Christosphere and Rocksanne) until they are spheres and documenting the process online.

...continues at Willamette Week.

[downtownpdx]

Nice spate of good news for DT!

I am 100% more for Uniqlo moving into the Fox Tower space than the mall. We really need active storefronts on our streets rather than in a building where it may not even face the street. And I would imagine this move would help Nordstrom feel more confident about staying downtown, as this will be a popular neighbor across Yamhill Street. So glad UnderU4Men space has been leased again quickly, especially to a local biz. I think there is another vintage shop right next door.

[Derek]

Originally Posted by downtownpdx

Nice spate of good news for DT!

I am 100% more for Uniqlo moving into the Fox Tower space than the mall. We really need active storefronts on our streets rather than in a building where it may not even face the street. And I would imagine this move would help Nordstrom feel more confident about staying downtown, as this will be a popular neighbor across Yamhill Street. So glad UnderU4Men space has been leased again quickly, especially to a local biz. I think there is another vintage shop right next door.

100% agree.

[downtownpdx]

Sorry.. misuse of the word “spate” haha.