The Retail Thread

[maccoinnich]

Originally Posted by downtownpdx

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

Wait, is it? Seems correct to me.

[downtownpdx]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

Wait, is it? Seems correct to me.

Haha (sorry to bump this thread) I looked it up because I never use that word and apparently “spate” is reserved for negative connotations, like a “spate of car accidents” etc. New retail downtown sure doesn’t fit that category.

On another note downtown office vacancy has fallen for the first time in nearly 3 years. Perhaps a turning point at last. And while Uniqlo is just one shop, I can’t help but feel like that retail lease signals a turning point as well, especially since they chose a downtown street level space rather than a mall. That opening coinciding with the public market in the next year will be a nice push forward.

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2026/04/06/downtown-office-vacancy-rates-fall.html

[OakAngeles]

Originally Posted by downtownpdx

Haha (sorry to bump this thread) I looked it up because I never use that word and apparently “spate” is reserved for negative connotations, like a “spate of car accidents” etc. New retail downtown sure doesn’t fit that category.

On another note downtown office vacancy has fallen for the first time in nearly 3 years. Perhaps a turning point at last. And while Uniqlo is just one shop, I can’t help but feel like that retail lease signals a turning point as well, especially since they chose a downtown street level space rather than a mall. That opening coinciding with the public market in the next year will be a nice push forward.

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2026/04/06/downtown-office-vacancy-rates-fall.html

With good news like that^^^, you can use whatever term you want for good news Seems like things have been looking up in general! Gonna be making a trip back to visit this summer & I can't wait to see what's new downtown

[maccoinnich]

Originally Posted by downtownpdx

Haha (sorry to bump this thread) I looked it up because I never use that word and apparently “spate” is reserved for negative connotations, like a “spate of car accidents” etc. New retail downtown sure doesn’t fit that category.

On another note downtown office vacancy has fallen for the first time in nearly 3 years. Perhaps a turning point at last. And while Uniqlo is just one shop, I can’t help but feel like that retail lease signals a turning point as well, especially since they chose a downtown street level space rather than a mall. That opening coinciding with the public market in the next year will be a nice push forward.

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2026/04/06/downtown-office-vacancy-rates-fall.html

Well today I learned!

[maccoinnich]

Old Town magazine shop to move out of NW Portland storefront



A sleek and colorful magazine store is saying goodbye to Old Town after less than two years in the neighborhood.

In October 2024, Chess Club set up shop at 435 N.W. 6th Ave. — bringing its well-curated selection of more than 400 independent magazines from around the world to Northwest Portland.

The store quickly became a hub for visual art and analog culture, cultivating a retail environment where organic discovery could thrive.

“People miss what felt exciting about the early internet,” co-founder Christy Lai said in a news release. “Stumbling into worlds, discovering references, finding friends who share obsessions.”

This summer, that hub will start anew in downtown Portland.

Chess Club is moving its storefront to the Telegram Building in Portland’s West End — an area of downtown known for its trendy street-level shops and the Pacific Northwest’s first Ritz-Carlton hotel. This new location, at 1111 S.W. Washington St. in the former West End Bikes space, plans to open in September, according to the release.

...continues at the Oregonian.

[maccoinnich]

Demolition permit issued for Uniqlo's move into the Fox Tower. They're taking over the former Banana Republic space and the adjacent Pielogy space.

[dizflip]

With how crowded Muji is on the weekends, I can only imagine how it's going to be for Uniqlo.

[downtownpdx]

Glad to hear they’re taking over the adjacent pizza space as well.

[urbanlife]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

Demolition permit issued for Uniqlo's move into the Fox Tower. They're taking over the former Banana Republic space and the adjacent Pielogy space.

I am so mad this is happening now and not when I was spending a fortune at that store in the 2000s when I was riding my single speed bike around wearing my Uniqlo skinny jeans and fitted tshirts

[maccoinnich]

Lavoratti 1938 Opens Their First US Chocolate Shop in Portland



In downtown Portland, not far from Pioneer Courthouse Square, is the home of the very first Lavoratti 1938 chocolate shop in the United States. They chose Portland over places like New York City and San Francisco, which I think is a big deal. I stopped by the other day to see the shop, try some chocolate samples, and learn more about this cherished Italian chocolate company.

What Is Lavoratti 1938?
Lavoriatti 1938 is a chocolate company based in Varazze, a seaside town located in the Liguria region along the Italian Riviera. Genoa is not far, about 37 miles to the east. They are considered a “bean-to-bar” chocolate maker, sourcing their chocolate from San José, Ecuador to make bars, truffles, bonbons, pencils, spreads, and more.

Lavoratti: What’s in a Name?
This is a very straightforward origin story: Lavoratti is named after the company’s founder, Liberto Lavoratti. He started out selling sweets and drinks from a wooden box on the beach.

...continues at Bridgetown Bites.

[downtownpdx]

Just read this as well, great to see them choose a downtown storefront. It’s clear from the article that they were enticed by the upcoming public market, Portland’s food scene and downtown’s recent progress. Let’s keep this momentum going.

[maccoinnich]

70 vintage vendors opening at downtown Portland’s new small mall



A founding member of one of Portland’s largest vintage malls wants to see if the concept will gain purchase downtown.

Tyler Gregory helped start the Memory Den Vintage Mall, frequently featured on social media feeds and unmissable at 499 S.E. Second Ave. in the Central Eastside because it takes up a full city block.

Now Gregory and his wife Sara Cate Galasso announced they will open a new vintage mall at the former Paul Mitchell School building at 234 S.W. Broadway, just south of Burnside Street.

The new mall will be called Retropolitan.

More than 70 vendors are expected to set up shop this summer on two floors of the approximately 17,000-square-foot space owned by local real estate firm Downtown Development Group. A news release did not list the mall’s specific opening date.

...continues at the Oregonian.

[sopdx]

Very cool. Just went to Shirtz and Pantz by the Darcelle Plaza the other day. It is great.

[downtownpdx]

Nice to see local independent retailers taking advantage of space downtown, which I assume is cheaper than before Covid.

[2oh1]

+1, downtownpdx.

I hope this Small Mall is a big success. I had no idea that was happening, but I'm excited. And hopefully the James Beard market opens next year. I have high hopes for downtown in years to come.

[maccoinnich]

Permit for Uniqlo at the Fox Tower now under review:

SINGLE PDF PROCESS/ UNIGLO 1ST & 2ND FLR TI; DEMO WALLS, NEW WALLS TO CREATE 1ST FLR - STOCKRM, ALTERATION RM, FITTING RM, STORAGE RM, CASHWRAP AREA, LP RM, IT/ELEC RM, STOCKRMS, HALLWAYS, SALES AREA, EMPLOYEE ENTRANCE, 2ND FLR - FITTING RM, STORAGE RM, DROP-OFF AREA, STOCKRMS, RESTRMS, BREAKRM, OFFICE, SHOW DISPLAY RM, SALES AREA, CASHWRAP AREA, REMODEL MECH RM, ELEC RM, JANITORS RM, INSTALL PLATFORM LIFT, CEILING, FLOORING, FINISHES, PLUMB AND ELEC

[downtownpdx]

Looks like a 2 level retail layout for Uniqlo, that’s great. They’re taking over the former pizza spot to the west, which Banana Republic once occupied, so maybe it’ll be the same layout as the original BR with a slightly elevated step-up floor… anyway glad to see them taking a larger space.

[babs]

Originally Posted by downtownpdx

Looks like a 2 level retail layout for Uniqlo, that’s great. They’re taking over the former pizza spot to the west, which Banana Republic once occupied, so maybe it’ll be the same layout as the original BR with a slightly elevated step-up floor… anyway glad to see them taking a larger space.

The original BR store.also included the Columbia Bank space..it was cut off from BR space and turned into the bank.

[downtownpdx]

Originally Posted by babs

The original BR store.also included the Columbia Bank space..it was cut off from BR space and turned into the bank.

Looking at Google Maps shows the Umpqua Bank before it was sold to Columbia - it extended all the way to Park Ave. Not sure if Columbia took a smaller footprint, but BR’s space only went as far as the pizza spot, not all the way down the block to Park Ave as far as I remember. Would be awesome to see Uniqlo do that though.

[downtownpdx]

Originally Posted by babs

The original BR store.also included the Columbia Bank space..it was cut off from BR space and turned into the bank.

It must have been a pretty small section of the current bank space, I thought BR only went as far as the pizza space - the bank extends all the way to the corner of Park/Yamhill which BR didn’t do. But it’s been 20+ years since the original version of BR so maybe I’m forgetting.