image via halo shoes

In just a few blocks, NE Broadway has a couple of Portland’s finest shops interspersed with everything from an old-school bakery (Helen Berhnard) to cafes and restaurants. It’s not a full day of shopping, but a good afternoon.

You have two choices for starting points depending on your aesthetic inclination.

Hot Box Betty (1623 NE 15th) is a small shop with a major impact because of its excellent selection of modern, mainly casual clothes for men and women. Between Ben Sherman and Portland’s own Sameunderneath, the men are covered and there are great pieces from Velvet and Walter (swoon!) for women. Best in show is Deanna Bratt from San Francisco, who makes very cute and vaguely 70s tops from “100% rescued fabric.” Also find Kenneth Cole, Tom’s and cute shoes for women including flats from Melissa.

Off the beaten path in its NE Broadway location (and a pioneer on the row, moving, a few years back, from NW 23rd) Mimi & Lena (1914 NE Broadway) is one of Portland’s best womens boutiques known for a refined chic. From occasion dresses (and now bridal as well) to inimitable separates from Tocca, Rebecca Taylor, Diane Von Furstenberg, MarieMarie, Stella Forest, Rachael Mara and others, Mimi & Lena is a jewel in the crown.

Halo Shoes (1425 NE Broadway) is consistently cited as one of Portland’s best shoe boutiques. Most, if not all of the lines they carry have a clear point of view and many are not carried anywhere else in Portland. Find Dries Van Noten, Chie Mihara, Costume National, Corso Como, Loeffler Randall, and Cydwoq.

Emily Jane (1428 NE Broadway) features a triple-dose of local designers for jewel, accessory, and apparel. Emily Jane jewelry uses semi-precious stones and a light touch for feminine looks. There is a wide selection of Sha Montana whipstitched handbags, clutches, wallets of all sizes made of leather and exotic hides and skins (like alligator and shagreen). And the trio is rounded out by a selection of Alice Dobson’s wearable, feminine line Sofada.

Is the giant bed in the middle of the hot-walled shop putting too fine a point on it? Oh Baby Lingerie (1811 NE Broadway) carries Aubade and Hanky Panky, nine, Amourette, Clo by Claudia Ochoa, and plenty more.

Up NE Broadway a bit further, you’ll find one of Portland’s premier sneaker boutiques (you mean we have more than one? yes!). Lifted (2415 NE Broadway) carries limited edition Nike and adidas and other flash lines like Undrcrwn and Alife.

At Soho Boutique (1605 NE Broadway) you’ll find accessibly-priced trend-centric womenswear like Joe’s Jeans and 575 denim as well as great modern looks from Tulle and Liquid.

Also on the row, Mimi & Madre (1512 NE Broadway) is crammed full of accessibly-priced, accesories, jewelry, and gifts.